When An Atmosphere of Holiness Meets A Contemporary Beat: Ari Fraser Releases A Dance Version of “Kaddish”

Singer-songwriter Ari Fraser is releasing a surprising and extraordinary new single: “Kaddish.” This prayer—one of the most moving and spiritually charged in Judaism—is here set to an original melody by Fraser and a high-energy, contemporary club-electronic arrangement created in collaboration with his friend, music producer Chagai Mizrahi. Behind this unique creation lies a journey that began in a small American community, passed through an ancient Bukharan melody that once touched the heart of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and culminates in a social and spiritual vision: making the prayer accessible to every Jew around the world.
It all began when Fraser started attending services at a Jewish community center in the United States, a place that struggled to gather even a minyan of ten people each Shabbat. Fraser began leading the prayers as chazzan, incorporating harmonies and vocals. Gradually, the congregation grew and expanded, transforming into a vibrant community of about 200 people every Shabbat. As part of the “Farm Choir” (Makhelet HaChava) formed there, the center’s founder wanted to take an ancient, inspiring Bukharan melody—one famously sung by an elderly Jewish man during a gathering with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who greatly enjoyed it—and set the words of the Kaddish to it. Fraser deconstructed the melody, adapted it to the prayer. The resulting rendition became a massive hit during Shabbat services. The real turning point that led to the song’s recording came from a young, non-observant Israeli man who had lost a parent. He shared the painful reality that many in his generation have no idea how to read or pronounce the Kaddish, and suggested that a catchy, contemporary melody could help them connect with the prayer and recite it for their parents. Fraser—whose own father is, thankfully, still alive—consulted him and shared the idea. His father gave him his blessing and encouragement, saying: “Good luck—do it. It’s a very important thing; people need to know this prayer.”
Instead of opting for a quiet, melancholic ballad, Fraser and Chagai Mizrahi chose a bold direction: an upbeat electronic production suited for the dance floor. This choice follows the massive international success of his previous song, “Shema Yisrael,” which garnered over 150,000 downloads worldwide—with tens of thousands coming from Europe, China, and Japan—precisely because of its upbeat style. Fraser believes that people often encounter holiness in the places they least expect it, and he explains that the Kaddish is a prayer that almost everyone will likely encounter at some point in their lives. The new song has a clear, focused goal: to imprint the prayer in the minds of Jews everywhere, dispel any apprehension surrounding it, reveal its comforting nature, and spark curiosity to learn it.

Composer: Ari Fraser
Music arrangement and production: Ari Fraser, Chagai Mizrahi

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