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Rock Band Inspired by Jewish Teachings Develops a Campus Following

By Chana Kroll – Chabad.edu

BROOKLYN, NY — It isn’t unusual for a late-night concert at a university to draw the attention of local law enforcement, so Rabbi Elie Estrin wasn’t too concerned when two police officers came up to him to ask when the Saturday night concert at his University of Washington-based Chabad House would be ending. After all, things would be wrapping up in 15 minutes, early for the Seattle school’s Frat Row.

Estrin, though, quickly realized that the inquiry wasn’t routine: The two policemen, their shift coming to a close, had simply wanted to know how much longer they had to enjoy Israel’s latest rock sensation, the Yood Power Rock Trio.

Like so many others who had walked past the bash on Estrin’s front lawn, the officers were mesmerized by the blend of classic rock sounds, heavily tinted with blues and the occasional country influence, combined with soul-searching lyrics.

Since that Lag B’Omer concert last year, the band’s American debut, Yood has made the rounds of campus-based Chabad Houses, most recently on a fall tour that culminated in their appearance last weekend at the Chabad on Campus International Shabbaton and Conference. (They’re also headlining the new Chabad Teen Network’s Shabbaton this coming weekend.)

The band’s recognition among Israel’s music scene, however, is a little more deep. Band members Lazer Lloyd (guitar, vocals, harmonica) and Yaakov Lefcoe (bass, vocals) formed Yood with drummer Akiva Girsh in the fall of 2005, just after the Israeli government expelled its citizens from the Gaza Strip. At the time, says Lloyd, “we just knew that we needed to do something to counteract what was going on in the country. Music has a way of bringing people together.

Article continued (Chabad.org)

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6 Comments

  • robot

    sometimes you see everything out of your “box” and uniform as “goyish”. Just because people do creative things and express themselves differently doesn’t make them “goyish”. You do not always have to live in a state of uniformity to be Jewish or idenitify with a particular group. We are notall robotic in our thoughts and dress. Well maybe some of you are.

  • To Each their Own

    Depends on how you view these things.

    Personally I wouldn’t want my kids to listion to this type of music. Yes I too think the style is “goyish”.

    But, others may have no problem with it. Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts.

    I think they are great for the college campus. And for my not yet frum family extended family.

    Btw, this band is banned in my son’s yeshiva. Why? Maybe a little to goyish?!

  • Think Before You Speak

    I want to personally commend Yood for their wonderful music. I actually had the great zechus to sit in the recording studio with them and way they describe the reasoning for their songs, is something which is very beautiful. Until you get to know them personally, I don’t think you should be making any comments. Each member of the band is wonderful and has a beautiful neshoma. Please don’t judge others until you know the whole story, and even then, why judge someone else? It says that if you will be quick to judge others, Hashem will be quick to judge you. At a time like this, we need to be K’ish echad, b’lev echad.
    Wishing them all the best!