On Tuesday of Chol Hamoed, October 14th, 400 young adults gathered at the upstairs of Chovevei Torah for the Shloshim of Kasriel Benjamin OBM, or ‘Kazi,’ as he was affectionately known by his friends.
The evening was called ‘Unite for Kazi: A Tribute Concert’ – an event, the organizers explain, that combined two of Kazi’s greatest passions: music and bringing people together.
Family, friends and local musical artists turned out to share their favorite memories of Kazi, and enjoy musical performances by Issac Bitton, Aaron Einhorn, Avinoam, Shmuely Liberman, Yoni Lorber, Avi & Yuda Meer, Yehuda Piamenta, Yossi Blunts, Shaya Lieberman, Shlomo Recu, S Sebaoun, Moshe Okunov, Menachem Reich, YMBee, Yehuda Rosenberger, Moshe Hecht, Yellow Red Sky, Shevach Tamir, Moshe Katzen, Beryl Teitelbaum, Shmully Lowenstein, Getzy Edelman, Yechezkel Denebeim and Yitzy Bruck.
Kazi, a talented writer, (a contributor to the Algemeiner), and gifted musician is most known for his intrinsic kindness – he was a great friend who always knew just the right thing to say.
“His humor and smile was so telling of the person he was,” said one friend, “A kind sweet soul that never judged or got angry. Kazi took the initiative to always make one feel worth something by giving anything he had, that’s the type of person he was.”
Kazi’s father, echoed the sentiment: “It’s amazing to see just how many friends Kazi has, how many lives he touched, how loved he was. We have friends that drove in from Florida, who flew in from California. This night is exactly what Kazi would have wanted.”
“With all these feelings of grief and disbelief, we wanted to do something positive that celebrates his life and the good that he’s done.” explained Menachem Reich, event organizer and a friend of Kazi. “You could always rely on Kazi for a good hug and a smile.”
Funds raised at the event will go towards the writing of a Sefer Torah in Kazi’s memory. Going forward, the group aims to build a Young Adult community and support network. It will include a music lounge, Friday night meals and events centered on art and music.
“The turnout was amazing,” Avinoam Mizrachi, a close friend of Kazi and event organizer, said. “A lot of people who came got to meet Kazi for the first time tonight, people who didn’t even know him. He’s still with us, you can feel him with us.”
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If you would like more information on how to be a part of this or to make a donation to the cause, contact Menachem at 917-291-2312.
This event was a vital step in the healing process and opportunity to connect to Kazi even after his physical passing.. The chill, the love, the achdus, the music, the unity is what kazi was all about. I am so proud to have been a part of it. Friends from all walks of life came together, symbolic of kazis reach to all people young and old, the understood and misunderstood the religious and the not religious. I miss you so much kazi and and try to dedicate kind deed and mitzvos to give a ilui nishmat to the beautiful soul… Read more »
This was very special thank you for putting this together
Wow this is amazin, keep it up!
Bentzy Plotkin……….good to c u!
you guys made this event a true musical experiences, you are truly appreciated… much love
The decor was done a friend of mine Mendy Geisinsky he is very talented
it so nice to see these young chevra bachdus..
Kazi, we still feel the loss. Wherever you are, our hearts are with you. Can’t wait to see that smile once again.
We Miss You Kazi!!!!!
Avinoam you da man!
is more then that he’s amazing and very talented all over
Pssssst. Levik photo. Is the way to go, best in everything.. my pesonal experience..
Levik Hertzel
Levikphoto.com
I see him too 😛
your not the only lucky one
Didn’t know he was a musician!
Very touching, Yasher koach!
Thank you so much to whoever took the photos and especially to Avinoam and Menachem, who created such a beautifully tasteful event. The turnout was incredible and we are so grateful to so many of his friends who felt they had to be there on this special evening.
Who is the guy, (with the black beard) in the 7th picture from the bottom?????
he plays music with his heart
my heart goes out to the family and all his amazing friends
Feel really inspired by this achdus!
moshiach now
red head alert!!
Thank you, COLLIVE, for giving me a glimpse of the other side of Crown Heights/Lubavitch youth.
You usually only show the side who wears black suits & Italian hats.
Its important to face the fact that everything is not rosy & all “black & white”.
More pictures & helpful articles on this vital youth issue, Please.
Zeev
Tiberias
Dovi Vogel……
Set an appropriate tone and beautiful too