In a Jewish musical landscape shaped by tradition and timeless melodies, Yoni Gelfand — better known as Gelf — is carving out a space that’s uniquely his own. A wedding singer turned up-and-coming Jewish music artist, Gelf’s latest single, “AM ECHAD,” is more than a song. It’s a celebration of pride, unity and spiritual identity in a complicated world.
But before the anthem came the journey.
“I’ve been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember,” Gelf shared. “I used to spend hours in my room recording original music into Garageband, just creating and experimenting with sounds.”
That love quickly evolved into passion. By high school, he was performing at Battle of the Bands and school talent shows. In college, he joined Jewish a cappella groups like Tizmoret and Y-Studs, where he built a strong musical foundation, honing his harmonizing skills and becoming more comfortable on stage. After graduating, he connected with musical powerhouses Yosef Gestetner, David Farhi and Shimmy Back, already members of Kollab, a live music group based out of New York City. In 2021, they traveled the world together, performing for Jewish communities across the globe. Gelf remains an active member of Kollab to this day.
Building on his momentum, Gelf forged a new solo path as a full-time chazzan and wedding singer.
“Thank God, today I can proudly say I lead davening, sing at chuppahs, and perform simcha sets for a living.” For Gelf, it’s more than just a job. “It’s an incredible feeling to be such a big part of one of the most important days in people’s lives,” he said. “Singing for couples under their chuppah and rocking out with the band during the dancing — it’s what I was born to do. Honestly, it’s the perfect job for me.”
But Gelf’s story isn’t just about performing. It’s about combining Jewish identity with musical authenticity and finding inspiration wherever it lives. Gelf began recording and professionally producing his original melodies as a way of personal self-expression. “For the first two years, I released strictly secular music,” he shared. “I wrote about growing up, personal struggle and relationships — whatever I was going through at the time.”
He released seven secular songs before considering Jewish music. “I wasn’t sure where I fit in with Jewish music. I have this twangy, grungy energy to my voice,” he said, laughing. “People joke that I’m the Jewish Morgan Wallen or the Jewish Luke Combs.” He embraces the comparison. “I’m obsessed with country music. I’ve been listening to Morgan Wallen nonstop for the last three years. As much as I love singing Shwekey and Shalsheles songs every Shabbos on gigs, I couldn’t see myself putting out music like that. Their music always spoke to me spiritually; I just wanted to put my own twist on it.”
Gelf’s unique style shines through in his new song and music video AM ECHAD, which reflects on themes of exile, identity, and return with heartfelt lyrics and a powerful melody.
“AM ECHAD’ started with a voice note on my phone about a year and a half ago. This line was stuck in my head, and I would sing it over and over: I can never leave the home I was once from,” Gelf recalled. These words emerged in response to the rise in anti-Israel rhetoric and online narratives denying the Jewish connection to the land of Israel.
Gelf explained that “AM ECHAD reflects the experience of being a Jew in 2025,” where feelings of loss and mourning coexist with an overwhelming sense of pride and unity. This feeling emerges in the verse: “I’m out of time, it’s getting cold and I’ve run so far from home. I’m feeling lost and my faith is hard to hold.” The chorus follows with the strong statement, “When everybody’s knocking me down, I won’t bow. I will hold on to you.” Gelf related this feeling to the image of Mordechai, who refused to bow to Haman and stood firm in his values — a reminder to never let go, no matter what.
When Gelf brought the idea to all-star producer Avi Turner of Gold Pomona Studios, it clicked immediately. “He fell in love with it,” Gelf said. “We built it out together. Avi added so much to the song — especially the bridge, where the lyrics slow down and say, ‘I can never leave the place that I once called home.’ It paints this clear picture of the Jewish people on the rivers of Babylon dreaming of their return to Zion.”
The song, with all of its themes and emotion, has truly connected with the fans.
The success of AM ECHAD builds on the momentum of Gelf’s earlier Jewish single, “Shivti,” with Yosef Gestetner, which dropped in December 2023. “The response has been incredible,” Gelf said. “It spread beyond my wildest imagination. The feedback — from fans to fellow artists — has been overwhelmingly positive.”
After witnessing the impact of Shivti and AM ECHAD, Gelf is now more committed than ever to creating the most authentic and impactful Jewish music possible. “My goal for these records is to create music that everyone can listen to, whether you’re Jewish or not. I’m determined to bring that Gelf soul and raw emotion to as many people as I can.”
So, what’s next?
“I’ll be performing in Mexico for Pesach with Shulem Lemmer and wedding season is around the corner,” he said. “But the Gelf project is just getting started. There’s a song called ANI MAAMIN coming, another called HOSHIA, and eventually a full Jewish album.”
Gelf sees himself as part of a larger movement in Jewish expression. “I think a lot of Jews in all realms of art are taking steps, pushing boundaries,” Gelf said. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do too.”
And with AM ECHAD echoing in playlists and hearts, he’s well on his way.
Book Gelf for your next simcha and find Gelf’s original music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, 24Six, and more.
