Yigal Calek Z"L Family for Links Family 2026

"It was a pleasure and privilege to be invited by The Links Family www.linksfamily.org to perform a short selected set at their annual "appreciation" event in New Jersey, USA."

Credits:
Music & Event Management: Ilan Schnitzer, Signature Events
Event Production: Chaim Zippel
Orchestra: Zvi Blumenfeld, Freilach Band

Ani Ma’amin: Jewish Boys’ Choirs Through the Years

Ani Ma’amin. Two simple words that have inspired generations of Jewish music.

In this video, we trace the journey of Ani Ma’amin through 10 Jewish boys’ choirs, including 3 versions by the Miami Boys Choir, spanning more than four decades — from the late 1960s to the early 2010s. Each version reflects its time, its musical language, and its cultural context, while remaining rooted in the same enduring declaration of faith.

Beginning with the early choral recordings of Pirchei and the London School of Jewish Song, we explore how Ani Ma’amin evolved from slow, reflective, traditional settings into larger concert performances, modern arrangements, Israeli pop interpretations, and rock-influenced youth-driven versions by groups like Shalsheles Junior and beyond.

Yigal Calek ז"ל Choir Alumni - Chanukah Kumzits

Kindly hosted by Daniel Klein, a choir reunion in London, on 2nd night Chanuka. Doody Rosenberg and Shloime Richman on the guitar... לעילוי נשמת ר ' יגאל ישראל בן אהרן הכהן

Yigal Calek 1st Yahrzeit Kumzits Yerushalayim

An experience of nostalgia and a bridge to the future, with Choir members from Yigal Calek's London School of Jewish Song and the original Pirchei Yerushalayim. Featuring special performances from R' Yissochor "Suki" Berry and Shloime Gertner.

Credits:
Event Produced by Duvid Zvi & Avrumie Calek.
Music & Event Coordinator: Chanan Bar Sela.
Video: Yehuda Grovais - יהודה גרובייס
Event PR: Radio Kol Chai

00:00:00 Opening Credits 00:00:07 Ko Amar, Sali, hinei Ma Tov, Ki Yikareh
00:23:40 Padah
00:30:00 Shloime Gertner, Children of Silence, Lechu Vonim
00:49:00 Siyum Shas Mishnayos
00:59:00 Vechi Yodov, Lama Yashvta, Shimu Melochim
01:18:00 Chamol, Taaleh, Be'ein Meilitz, Mareh Kohen
01:45:00 R' Yissochor "Suki" Berry, Piano Overture
01:53:25 Al Zos
01:59:40 Borchi Nafshi, Anim Zmiros, Nochon Libi
02:13:15 Pirchei Yerushalayim: Nichsefa, Yismach Moshe
02:25:15 Finale: Ashira, Shir, Ani Maamin

London School of Jewish Song 1973

Rare footage of the London School of Jewish song lead by Yigal Calek OBM.

Kumzitz Reunion of Yigal Calek Alumni

Video documenting the reunion of the alumni of The London School of Jewish Song - Pirchei London, and the alumni of Yad BeZemer Tzabarim - Pirchei Yerushalayim, both choirs directed by Yigal Calek, on Motzei Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel, Shekalim, eve of 26 Adar I 5782 / February 26, 2022, in the home of Philip and Dahlia Rosenberg.

This took place after a similar reunion Kumzitz together with Yigal Calek took place  this past Chanukah and subsequently went viral.

LSJS Live "Mizmor Ledovid" 1977

London School of Jewish Song, directed by Yigal Calek, at a live televised event, circa 1977. Music Conducted by Yisroel Lamm.

Kumzitz with Yigal Calek and LSJS Alumni

The legendary composer and director of the London School of Jewish Song, Yigal Calek along with friends, family and many alumnus of the choir, singing some of the original oldies from the Pirchei London records of the 60's, on the last night of Chanukah. London, England.


See bwlow for a full hour video in higher quality footage.

"A very poignant Zois Chanukah reunion for Yigal Calek's London School of Jewish Song. Former choir members in attendance include Nicky Borgenicht, Yossi Fachler, Moishe Stern, Doidy Feld, David Rosenberg, and Dovid Calek (Yigal's son). On the guitar: Shloimy Richman."

The London School of Jewish Song - 1978

The London school of Jewish Song, conducted by Yigal Calek, sings L'Shana Haba'ah B'Yerushalayim (next year in Jerusalem), live, 1978.

Orchestra Conducted by Yisroel Lamm

Vintage Footage LSJS "Ani Maamin" 1977

For Part 1 of this series Click Here.

In 1977 the Jewish music scene was quite different than today. MBD had already released a few albums, with the album "I'd Rather Pray and Sing" being released the year before, Avraham Fried hadn't yet began his professional adult career. Instead  there was the Ohr Chodosh, Yeshiva Diaspora, the Rabbi's Sons, and some others. Even the boys choirs of today were either just starting out or non existent. While Miami Boys choir was in the process of being established that very year, Tzlil V'zemer was still a few years away from forming, and the Yeshiva Boys choir a few decades.

In the USA there was Eli Teitelbaum's Pirchei Boys Choir, in England, Yigal Calek and the London School of Jewish Song. Yigal Calek a legendary composer and choir director was so popular back then, that in the early 1970's a young MBD once opened for a concert by the the London group.

Established in 1968, the London School of Jewish Song released in 1976 "London Live" an 11 track record of songs recorded live at concerts while touring Europe and the USA.

The footage below features a song off of the "London Live" album, as they performed live on a local Minneapolis television network, prior to their Chanukah concert arranged by Chabad of Minnesota, directed by Rabbi Moshe Feller.

The clip below begins right where the clip of Part 1 ends.  The reporter breifly intevies some of the boys, followed by the choir's performance of "Ani Maamin."

Watch below the Pirchei London Choir sing "Ani Maamin."
Composed by Yigal Calek
Arranged by Yisroel Lamm
Soloist: Philip Rosenberg.

A Gruntig Exclusive!

Vintage Footage LSJS "Shir" 1977

In 1977 the Jewish music scene was quite different than today. MBD had already released a few albums, with the album "I'd Rather Pray and Sing" being released the year before, Avraham Fried hadn't yet began his professional adult career. Instead  there was the Ohr Chodosh, Yeshiva Diaspora, the Rabbi's Sons, and some others. Even the boys choirs of today were either just starting out or non existent. While Miami Boys choir was in the process of being established that very year, Tzlil V'zemer was still a few years away from forming, and the Yeshiva Boys choir a few decades.

In the USA there was Eli Teitelbaum's Pirchei Boys Choir, in England, Yigal Calek and the London School of Jewish Song. Yigal Calek a legendary composer and choir director was so popular back then, that in the early 1970's a young MBD once opened for a concert by the the London group.

Established in 1968, the London School of Jewish Song released in 1976 "London Live" an 11 track record of songs recorded live at concerts while touring Europe and the USA.

The footage below features a song off of the "London Live" album, as they performed live on a local Minneapolis television network, prior to their Chanukah concert arranged by Chabad of Minnesota, directed by Rabbi Moshe Feller.

Introducing the choir is a younger Rabbi Manis Friedman, long time Chabad Shliach in the Twin Cities, and director of the Beis Chana school for girls.

Watch below the Pirchei London Choir sing "Shir".
Composed by Yigal Calek
Arranged by Yisroel Lamm
Soloist: Philip Rosenberg.

Part two of this series will Iy'h  be released in the coming days.

A Gruntig Exclusive!

LSJS in Petach Tikvah Summer 1999

Yigal Calek and the London School of Jewish Song, performing at a concert in Petach Tikva, Israel. August, 1999. Click Here for another clip of this concert.

Werdyger & Neranenu Choir - Pirchei London Medley

Yisroel Werdyger & Neranenu Choir Sing London School Of Jewish Song Medley

London School of Jewish Song Israel 1999

The London School of Jewish Song under the directorship of Yigal Calek performing at a concert in Israel, August 1999.

London School of Jewish Song in Israel 1998

Yigal Calek and The London School of Jewish Song perfomring in Israel, circa 1998.

Pirchei London Brooklyn College 1973

The London School of Jewish Song performing at a concert in Brooklyn college in 1973.

London School of Jewish Song - Alumni - Medley

Medley of London School of Jewish Song Boys Choir. Sung by alumni of the group at the sheva brochos of Yigal Calek's daughter. circa 1998.

BBC TV: "London School Of Jewish Song" 1989

Yigal Calek's London School of Jewish Song are interviewed on legendary BBC children's television program Blue Peter. The interview took place after they returned from a series of concerts in Russia in the early days of Glasnost. They also perform 2 songs: Anim Zemiros and Shir Shir.

More information about the 1989 concerts in Russia can be found here (half way down the page "A Song Of Hope".


This was just a few years before the they performed on HASC 4 in NY. As you can recognise some of the faces but just a few years younger.

HT: Life of Rubin.