By COLlive reporter
Music no more.
A studio in New York where many of the modern day Jewish classics were conceived and recorded was wrecked by the superstorm Sandy this week.
Located in the basement of the home of legendary singer and composer Mordechai Ben David, the recording room was flooded from waters rising from the nearby ocean.
Over the years many experienced and aspiring musicians came to the private community in the Sea Gate section of Brooklyn to seek advice and direction from the “King of Jewish Music.”
Now, “this place looks like a war zone or more like a movie set,” photographer Baruch Ezagui, a close friend of MBD, has reported on his Facebook page.
Ezagui, a Lubavitcher from Crown Heights, said Wednesday morning that he “spent the last 18 hours in Sea Gate helping Mordechai Ben David rescue his studio (or what’s left of it).”
A few photos he posted showed the Highlands road flooded, MBD’s front lawn and gate wrecked and water filling the wooden-paneled studio to his entrance stairs.
A source in the music world who is also close with MBD told COLlive.com: “MBD took it very hard. He has lost many important files and photos that were dear to him.”
Among other things, MBD kept in the studio 2 U.S. dollar bills he received from the Rebbe and a photo of himself receiving a piece of honey cake “lekach” from the Rebbe.
VIDEO:
MBD speaks to COLlive Editor Yehuda Ceitlin on the shoreline in the back of his home and in the studio.
Chabad of Seagate, directed by Rabbi Chaim and Rivky Brikman, is reported to be filled with 6-feet of water and without any electricity or running water and limited mobile reception.
Notwithstanding that, the Brikmans have been walking door to door for the last 2 days offering help for other people in the gated community, 80% of whom are Jewish.
“They need all the help they can get,” a person close to them said.
“Every dollar donated will be used to clean homes, distribute food, and help bring comfort to those who have lost so much,” their website states.
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The entire seagate is messed up. How pics of that too
Amazing interview! Mordechai Ben David is one of the best singers ever!! I hope C.O.L will continue to interview intresting people. would love to see more……
maybe he did bring them up or maybe was out of town, bottom, line is we wish all our Jewish friends suffering through this all the best…its our job at times like this to be caring…all a test from Hashem…
For the good and the bad.
Feel so much for you you can’t imagine ה׳ ימלא חסרונך
I feell sorrry for you. BUt DO NOT DESPAIR – JUST ONE SHABBOS AND WE’LL ALL BE FREE>>
Now he’s left with memories, sweet sweet memories…Oy vey!
wow 2 pictures of him with rabbi kanelsky
the amazing works that rabbi kanelsky does and conutinues to do
Amazing interview! really interesting and real!
he could probably get copies of the pictures of the rebbe from the jem office
we love u tho ur music rox
Ur still the king! nobody could take that away!
It’s a real shame 🙁 May this serve as a kaporah, and may he rebuild it to double of what is was before!!
Why did he leave precious memorabilia where it could get ruined?? We were all warned that there was a good chance of flooding!
sweet sweet memories. Those cant be ruined. Sorry about the loss of valuables etc..
so much nostalgia…what a pity…