Video: Lipa Stuck in Oorah’s Camp “The Zone” Due to Hurricane Irene, Gives Concert in Dark

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lipa[Video below.] Singer Lipa Schmeltzer spent this past Shabbos, Parshas Re’eh, in the Boys Division of Oorah’s kiruv camp, “The Zone.” He raised the spirits of all the campers, composing a special song for theShabbos Revolution” that was taking place that Shabbos in the camp.

The last Shabbos of the camping season is a very special time in The Zone, as that culminates the kiruv efforts of their devoted staff all summer long. On this last Shabbos of the season, campers who kept Shabbos in its entirety were rewarded beautiful gifts after Shabbos. Those who were not on the level to keep the entire Shabbos were at least encouraged to refrain from doing four common things that they often did on Shabbos (e.g. turning on a light, playing with a Gameboy in bed, etc.).

Many of Oorah’s campers are public school children whose families are not observant and know very little about Yiddeshkeit. Oorah, in addition to giving them a summer of entertainment, tries to impress upon its campers the beauty of Yiddishkeit.  They then work with the parents and try to inspire them to enroll their children to yeshivos, offering to subsidize the tuition.

Lipa played a big role in this effort, making it exciting for the kids. On Motzoei Shabbos, he performed at a very entertaining concert for the boys division, reminding them again to try to continue their commitment to mitzvos and Shabbos throughout the year.

Lipa and his new Oorah Torahmate Josh Cohen
Lipa and his new Oorah Torahmate Josh Cohen

As Hurricane Irene drenched the East Coast, causing flooding and road closures, Lipa had to cancel a show that he was supposed to perform at elsewhere on Sunday night and he instead remained in The Zone. As the strength of the hurricane increased, it wiped out power lines in Gilboa, NY, leaving Oorah’s girls division campus without any power on their last night of camp. The boys division, located a mere ten minutes away, was not affected by the power outage. Lipa immediately volunteered to travel to the girls campus and lift their spirits, putting on a concert for them in the dark.

All the girls were immediately ushered into a room, with the only light emanating from flashlights. A small generator was set up to power the band, a microphone, and a small amplifier. Despite the sound challenges, Lipa electrified the crowd. Many of the girls commented that it was one of the most uplifting events they attended in their life.

After the concert, Lipa returned to the boys campus and participated in their end-of-camp banquet meal.

Click below to watch:

For those who are experiencing trouble viewing the video on our server try the YouTube version below.

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14 COMMENTS

  1. The most amazing part about this is not the concert he did impromptu. After all, he was basically locked up there because of Irene.
    However, what is amazing is his committment to learn with a 12 year old bochur for 30 minutes every week! If Lipa can find the time to be a Torah Mate for Oorah, anyone can (and should!)

  2. WOW! Lipa that was really moving. I doubt however that in 10 years from now we will be asking “where were you during the Hurridcane”.

  3. Reb Lipa, Shlit”a
    I had the zchus to be there for Shabbos. You are a man with a big heart that loves Yidden. You have a new chusid!! That Shabbos revolution will ring in my ears for many shabbosim to come. Vhaishiv lev bonim al avoisom bkorov mamash amein!!

  4. THANK YOU MATZAV, Tapuach Yid is now able to get the chizuk from Lipa like everyone else, thanks to providing the video in different formats. ( for those who are unaware many Apple products do not support Adobe Flash)

  5. Holy Reb Lipa! not only you will remember in 10 years from now the holy, happy, posotive, spiritual, peaceful atmosphere you were durring the hurican.

    All the girls that participated for shabbos and sunday will probably for sure feel the same, and they will take it with them for the rest of their year and life. You engraved it in their hearts and minds!!!

    Your are a big tzadik, you bring moshiach!!!

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