Howdy, friends! What a month it’s been. We hosted a fantastic live “Get Ready for Purim” radio show with lots of guests, callers, dedications and fun! Thank you Hashem Nation, who put out the “Happy Clappy” album which they do for free, accessible to all, with a purpose: spread joy and inspiration. Mission accomplished.
We got a message that a gal celebrating her 90th birthday was doing the “granny groove” while listening to us, LOL. Things like that make us happy clappy indeed. So does unexpected snow on Purim or any day.
We’re seeing new reflective-type songs, which are nice as well as timely, as we prepare for the holidays. Pesach merges the past with the present in order to “Let go and Let God.” Moving forward right through the sea, who can forget Charlton Heston echoing “Let my people go”? Those who try to hold others back in life should take a lesson here. Freedom and empowerment reign. Not everything is meant to last forever.
Yaakov Shwekey’s tribute to Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, “Veha’er Eineinu,” is something special. Aron Gerstel’s new Shlomo Carlebach cover, “Mi She’asah Nissim,” is refreshing. This celebrity mom was humbled by my son Joey Newcomb’s impact on Reb Yitzi Hurwitz, a heiliege Yid and ALS sufferer whom he visited in sunny L.A. with song. It always amazes me how heartfelt niggunim impact, breaking through all barriers.
Thank you Hashem Nation for putting out a new Pesach Upmix with DJ Farbreng—don’t miss it. Reb Nissim Black stepped out of his singer role to deliver a weather forecast on Fox in South Carolina—catch it on YouTube.
“Bridges”, a new song by Moshe Tischler and Dovid Kirschner, brought us to tears. We always love when kids sing from the heart. This song will not disappoint, on behalf of the important Bridges organization. I came to realize there’s a name for all the years I’ve offered my home to kids and teens in need: Respite.
As we soon enter into Sefira, a period without instrumental music and without orchestra concerts: Music lovers take heart. There are some very good a cappella covers, new music and live farbrengen with heart.
I am in the process of a certification course in service to the community. A message popped up: “Was this content a good use of your time?” Good question. Time is our most valuable asset. We spend our time promoting Hashem through music and all our interactions, remembering that family time is No. 1.
Reb Yossi Hecht, singer, podcast influencer and ultimate mensch, is married! Mazel tov! His wheelchair did not stop him from moving forward in life and taking others along with him for the ride. Thank you Hashem!
In our determination to maximize joy, ivdu es Hashem b’simcha, we carefully filter influence. There is so much good out there, even in this otherwise confused world. While podcasts are not the same as live broadcasts on radio, we have found some to be energizing as well as our participation in a selected few. The question “What will our legacy look like?” is enough to keep us sharing talents in forward motion.
Our dedicated assistants have tossed more unwelcome intrusion attempts. We highly recommend helpers in order to run radio stations, any business, or boundaried life in general. Our rabbi tells folks: Hire help, delegate, make sure to stop and smell the roses. He didn’t mean only this time of year, pre-holidays and Chodesh Nissan birchas ilanos. We bloom too, as long as we put one foot in front of the other.
Wishing everyone a meaningful and connected zissen Pesach surrounded by love. For those on their own or who feel alone: We hear you. We’ve been there. Sending heartfelt comfort from our home to yours.
Al and Sarah (Newcomb) Gordon own and operate 1640 WJPR, a unique radio station in hybrid format out of Highland Park/Edison, New Jersey. Al has been dazzling Radioland with his voice and personality for decades. Sarah, a writer, realtor and therapeutic healer, is new to radio and new to the Gordon household. Together they hope to blaze a unique trail utilizing their special koach impacting their children, grandchildren, community, many fans and all others as intended from above, one song and one smile at a time. #TYH Nation YOU matter! They can be reached at: [email protected].
