About The Yoel
ABOUT THE BADCHEN More than a badchen, Yoely Lebovits is known throughout the world for his unique mix of entertainment, comedy, and spirituality. A star in the Hassidic world, he shines bright to illuminate all halls of theatre and performance. What is a Badchen? A badchen is a Jewish comedian with scholarly overtones who entertained guests at weddings among the Ashkenazim of Eastern Europe. Today they are found in all countries with Chassidic populations, including the United States, performing and inspiring millions. The badchen has to be able both to provide the energy for a party before and after the ceremony itself and also to make the transition to a more serious tone immediately before the ceremony. To this end his comedy is not of a slapstick variety but rather verbal with many intricate Talmudic references and in-jokes. Who is Yoely the Badchen? Yoely Lebovits or Pester Rebbe as some call him, is a popular figure around the Chasidishe Velt. One of his very funny acts is his imitation of Hungarian characters, which earned him the name Pester Rebbe, implying that he is the Rebbe of Pest. Yoely has been entertaining at Jewish events since 1997. It started with impromptu performances at friends? weddings and simchas. Within a short while, he found himself receiving the super-star celebrity treatment within the Chasidishe community, becoming the most sought after Comedian for Yiddishe Simchas. One of his first comedic acts on stage was on the play ''Hamaloch Hagoel'' directed by famed Director Shlomo Perl and Ari Frankel of AF Productions, where Yoely kept the crowd (and the actors) in stitches. Yoely's act was featured in many Albums thereafter. In 1999 Yoely appeared on ''Purim Y2K'' produced by Yochi Briskman, that was followed in 2004 by ''Purim Station'' together with veteran comedian Harav Yankel Miller. Yoely has been appearing on many Purim tischen, entertaining thousands of people and Admorim alike. Communities such as Satmar, Klausenburg, Nikolsburg, Spinke, Burshtyn, Sekulen, have reveled in his antics. Yoely's talent is multi-faceted. The humorous jokes and imitations aside, he is beloved for his musical performances as well. From the many old Yiddish Classics, to heartwarming Carlebach songs, Yoely has been on stage with the contemporary Jewish singers, such as MBD, Lipa Schmelzer, Avraham Fried, Cantor Moshe Schulhoff and even conducted countless of Carlebach kumzitsen. As of now, Yoely has been hired to entertain thousands of parties, dinners, weddings, sheva brachos and events all across the globe. Yoely has regaled audiences in America from the East coast to the West. Also, audiences around the world rejoiced in his company, as he has traveled to Canada, UK, Belgium, Israel, and even to remote countries like Scotland, Spain and Greece. Yoely keeps his guitar in the trunk of his car, so it?s always at hand for him to cheer up anyone. With soft strums, he infuses words of wisdom and encouragement in his act, like his inspirational hero, Reb Shlomo Carlebach, Ztz'l. Yoely is a steady visitor of the area hospitals and homebound, or to children with special needs.
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