Jerusalem – An Israeli bride who decided to surprise her new husband by playing a 15 minute drum set at the end of their wedding found herself the subject of controversy after rabbis in Bnei Brak deemed her short stint on the bandstand an unacceptable violation of the laws of modesty.
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Ynet (https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5470813,00.html) reported that 19 year old Shifra Hershkowitz and Itzik Rusk got married approximately two weeks ago at Achuzat Wagshal, a recently renovated wedding hall located in the heart of Bnei Brak on Rechov HaRav Meltzer.
The hall itself is under the strict supervision of a highly respected name in Israeli kashrus, Badatz Eidah Chareidis, which demands strict separations between men and women at all times during events at the hall.
As Hershkowitz took her turn on the drums, much to the apparent delight of her new husband and others, she was accompanied by the Yoely Dickman band, with pictures and videos of the bride’s bandstand performance making the rounds on social media. Dickman, a popular musical choice at Charedi events, was advised by the Eidah Chareidis to issue an apology for allowing Hershkowitz to play, and in a letter printed two days ago on the Badatz letterhead, Dickman described the happenings and his regrets.
“We are deeply disturbed by what happened last week at the Wagshal hall in Bnei Brak, something that never should have happened and a terrible affront to the laws of modesty,” wrote Dickman. “We are taking responsibility to make sure that this never happens again and we will strengthen ourselves even further to keep safeguards in place to ensure that modesty is respected. We also take it upon ourselves that if G-d forbid, something like this ever happens again we agree that a public ban will be enacted that will prevent us from ever performing at any future celebrations.”
Hershkowitz has been playing piano for years, taking up drums only recently at a music school in Tel Aviv, reported Ynet (https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5464998,00.html). She told Dickman weeks ago that she was considering playing at her own wedding, something he felt was an excellent idea. The two decided to make a final decision on surprising Rusk at the wedding, and when Dickman suggested that Hershkowitz take the drumsticks at the affair, she agreed.
Rusk, a 27 year old photographer, was thrilled by the surprise, joining his new wife on the bandstand, said Dickman.
“The joy when she got up there and starting playing was off the charts,” said Dickman.
Hershkowitz admitted that no one in her family knew that she had been considering playing at the wedding, her performance catching everyone off guard.
“Everyone loved it,” said Rusk. “Because both of us come from the world of photography, many of our guests were photographers and we got very warm feedback. People told us that they enjoyed it immensely and that they have never seen anything like it before.”
Miriam Haneviah played a drum right after krias yam suf and the Torah makes a point of telling us about it. So what’s the big deal?
Weddings have become a circus. And by the way, he dress is too tight.
WAIT !
If this is considered not modest by the Eida, why are you showing us this?
Also, if this is not modest, maybe the Eida should fire the moshkiachs?
But this was their simcha, the food was kosher, the dancing was kosher, so she played the drums, never before seen in any kosher wedding hall.
May they have a wonderful life together based on Torah and Chesed!
I wouldn’t get so outraged at her. The men have allowed weddings to become circuses and she is being affected by the environment the men and have created. The loud music is the first problem.
Mazel Tov Shifra & Itzik. Beautiful wedding! Hashem should Always protect you both. Bracha & Hatzlacha!!
While they are entitled to their opinion and psak, here we have kallah celebrating not only her wedding, ( passed the yom kippur test ) but was eager to show her ability. Exactly who do they think will work to support the yungerman shteiging away.They forget the posuk , That her heart was lifted.כָּל אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר נְשָׂאוֹ לִבּוֹ
Wild stuff
I’m sure her family is real proud!
Bdatz has the the hechsher of the hall. They have the right to dictate the rules. If you can’t follow the rules go to another hall with a differ hechsher. It’s pretty simple.
Weddings are fun. Drum riffs are fun.
The singer …Oey !!!
She surprised her new husband, Choson Domeh la Melech. And isn’t is Hashem who gave her the musical talent. Any apology made, should be made to the Choson and Kallah for trying to spoil a beautiful Simcha. She did NOTHING and compromised her tznius.
Mazel tov!
Good job Kallah! You should have bracha vhatzlacga. Ignore the haters.