[Video below.] It is with sadness that we report the passing of Moshe Yess z”l, noted singer, composer and performer. Moshe was the composer of the popular song “My Zaidy” and sang as part of “Megama” and other Jewish music groups, including Abie Rotenberg’s “Journeys,” and on albums such as “The Marvelous Middos Machine” and “The Amazing Torah Bike.”
Moshe passed away this past Motzoei Shabbos at the age of 65 after battling a lengthy illness.
In the 1970s, Moshe, then Morris, resided in Hollywood, California. In 1978, he moved to Yerushalayim, settling on Rechov Avinoam Yelen. He enrolled in Yeshiva D’var Yerushalayim and met Rabbi Shalom Levine, who became his mentor in halacha and his musical partner in Megama. They spoke about harnessing American style music to communicate the beauty and values of Judaism.
After some time, Megama – Hebrew for “direction” – born. Rabbi Levine and Moshe toured for over 3 1/2 years. One tour included 32 shows in 29 cities in 42 days. “My Zaidy” was Megama’s biggest hit. Radio host Art (Avrohom Yitzchok) Raymond once related that it was the most requested song he had in his 18 years of New York broadcasting.
May Moshe’s memory be a blessing.
The niftar is being flown from Arizona, where he was hospitalized, to his hometown of Montreal, where the kevurah will take place.
Moshe is survived by his children, Zev Yess, Naftoli Yess, Rivkah Yess, Devorah Smajar, Shoshana Shaffer and Yossi Yess, all residents of Montreal.
Click below for a video of Moshe singing “My Zaidy”:
{Yossi Schneider-Matzav.com}
He inspired many people with his music and lyrics his neshoma should have a aliyah boruch dayan emes
May he have ah lichtige gan eden. Many yidden were inspired by his music. Who knows how many were inspired by the Zaidy song?
We will miss your beautiful music. May you have a lichtiger Gan Eden.
A special man. You can hear it in his voice. I miss him already.
Baruch Dayan haEmet.
Moshe, you gave nachas to those grandparents and alot of richness in our jewish lives.
thankyou, and bless your neshama, and the family you left behind.
Baruch Dayan Emes.He spent a Shabbos at our bungalow colony some twenty five years ago, and came across as a very pleasant and likeable person. May he continue to sing Hashem’s praises in Gan Eden.
Baruch Dayan Heamet.
zaidy lyrics
Does anyone know where shalom levine (of Megama) is today?