I heard three surprising things yesterday from singer Avraham Fried, who participated in the Zoom 'Renewed' workshop for women:
• When I asked him how he manages to renew himself over a decades-long career, he replied that renewal is not about doing something different every time, but about doing what you do – better: "People try to reinvent themselves, instead of sticking to their mission and finding renewal where they are.".
""It's like in prayer. The words don't change, you have to change, find the flavor. I sing in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, do duets, but stay within my own realm. And if I have to sing my song 'Tanya' for the millionth time, I tell myself that through private providence I was given another opportunity to sing 'Tanya', at this moment.".
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• When I asked about the ego and the honor and the publicity in his field, Fried said that he really doesn't think it comes from the evil inclination of man: "People want to succeed, in every field, and that's natural, that's perfectly fine. It's not a negative thing. We just have to act and pray that we will sanctify God, that we will have a good influence, that we will be at peace.".
• Finally, the participants asked where they could hear him as a cantor on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
The answer was surprising: "I pray in a corner of our synagogue in the Crown Heights neighborhood of New York, not in front of the pillar, not passing in front of the Ark. Standing quietly to the side as one of the worshippers, and not worried about how my voice sounds. Over the years there have been many suggestions, but I want to concentrate on my prayers, on my intentions. I am on stage all year round, on the high holy days I only appear before the Lord of the Universe.".
