Ohad Moskowitz (born September 2, 1974),[1] known professionally asOhad, is a Belgian-born IsraeliOrthodox Jewish vocalist who is one of the superstars of thecontemporary Jewish religious music scene. He rose to international stardom in 2003 with his first solo album,Vearastich, produced byYossi Green.
Ohad began his career singing back-up vocals for Orthodox Jewish stars such asMordechai Ben David andDedi Graucher.[2] His first American performance[3] took place in 2003 atYossi Green's annual Jewish hospice benefit concert at theLincoln Center.[4] Green was so impressed with the audience's reaction to Ohad's singing that he offered to produce Ohad's first album. Green wrote several songs for the album, including the title track, "Vearastich" (I Will Betroth You).[2]
Ohad's debut album catapulted him to fame. He was named Singer of the Year at the Hasidic Music "People of the Year" ceremony in Israel in 2004.[5] He was a featured singer at theHASC 18 "A Time for Music" in 2005.[6] He was also a featured vocalist at HASC 20 (2007);[7] HASC 21 (2007) (where he performed as one of the "Four Tenors" alongsideAvraham Fried, CantorYitzchak Meir Helfgot, andDudu Fisher[8]); HASC 24 (2010) (where he sang a duet withHasidic singer andhazzanYehuda Green[9]); HASC 25 (2011);[10] and HASC 27 (2013).[11] Ohad also performs at concerts benefitingOhel[12] and other Jewish charity organizations.[13]
In 2008 Ohad performed a new Yossi Green song dedicated toChabad shluchim around the world in the wake of the2008 Mumbai attacks, which targeted theChabad house there.[14] He was one of over 30 Orthodox Jewish superstars appearing on the 2010Unity for Justice album to benefit the legal defense ofSholom Rubashkin.[15]
Ohad was born inBelgium.[23][24] He began singing at an early age. He attended the Talmudic collegeYeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh. After his marriage, he immigrated to Israel.[24] He resides inModi'in with his wife and children.[4]
In 2011 he recorded a duet for his song "Birkat HaBanim" (Bless the Children) with his firstborn son Eyal, then aged 13. While the boy shows talent, Ohad prefers that he perform in the school choir and in the studio with him, but not on stage.[25]
^Cohen, Efrat (20 July 2014).ווקאלי ליום: אוהד מושקוביץ בשיר 'ברכת הילדים' [Vocal of the Day: Ohad Moskowitz sings 'Bless the Children'] (in Hebrew). Hidabroot. Retrieved14 October 2014.
^ab"Oh!ad". Jewish Music Reviews. 24 August 2004. Retrieved14 October 2014.
^abcTurner, Tzvi; Bresky, Binyamin (23 November 2003)."Interview with Yossi Green".Cleveland Jewish Radio. Retrieved14 October 2014.
^Shiloni, Smadar (11 November 2004).מיהם אנשי השנה במוזיקה החסידית? [Who are the People of the Year in Hasidic Music?].Ynetnews (in Hebrew). Retrieved14 October 2014.
