Mimini Michoel - In Tribute to Reb Michoel Schnitzler A''H - One Year On

Dear All,

The following is a tribute essay I wrote, about the beloved singer Reb Michoel Schnitzler A''H, who Yarzheit is this week. I hope that whatever I wrote, is correct and respectful, as I wish to pay tribute, in a refined and loving manner. I hope you will join me in paying my respects, and that this simple essay will serve as a zechus for the holy soul of:

Reb Michoel ben Reb Meshulam Zusha Schnitzler A''H.

With love,

Yitzy Schweitzer

Mimini Michoel - In Tribute to Reb Michoel Schnitzler A''H - One Year On

One year ago, today, on Isru Chag Pesach, the world at large and the the world of Jewish Music in general, lost an angel of a man. We lost Reb Michoel Schnitzler, A''H, whose untimely passing at the age of 62, left us in stunned silence, as we tried to make sense of the information we never wanted to accept.

His face radiated life. Everything about him was life. His voice, his charisma, his ability to light up a room, his emunah and his love for his fellow Jew, was his life. He was a man of immense joy, a loving smile on his face at any moment. He was a beacon of light. To those lost and downtrodden, he gave energy, he gave them purpose, he gave them life. He was... Larger then life...

But, suddenly, he was gone.

I still vividly recall watching clips of his levayeh, and hearing Lipa Schmeltzer, the talented and famous singer, composer and songwriter who wrote many of Michoels songs. He was in tears, speaking in a chocked voice, pained by the loss of his dear friend. His tears and his emotions did the talking for him.

And those who knew what those tears meant, understood...

Even as a younger child, while in the 3rd grade, my Rebbe that year loved Michoels songs. I remember one day walking in to class and telling him that my father and I had played the song "Rabois Machshuvois" which was featured on the "Mein Kind, Tref Mich" album and became quite popular. My Rebbe could respond with "He is still my favorite..."

Still, even now, so many still love his music, his songs, his voice. He is still so many people favorite...

The full force of the painful loss, can be summed in one song. Released just before Pesach, "Michoel's Flam" - literally "Michoel's Flame", a title named after his iconic and soul-stirring "Neshumeh Flam" series of CDs - performed by Hershy Weinberger (who wrote the lyrics) & Naftali Schnitzler (who composed), is a heartbreaking and poignant tribute, as the two of them (along with some additional vocals from Michoel himself,) take the listener on a journey through the last year, singing, hoping and praying for the day when Klal Yisroel could join again with Michoel to perform a "Mizmor Shir Leosid Lovo".

Soon... we will sing that song...

Very soon...

Yehi Zichro Boruch,