From my earliest childhood, I was always fascinated by the
magical powers of the tape recorder. Imagine having the ability to capture fleeting
sounds, wonderful music and words that are spoken but once and being able to hear them
again and again at my command!
As a young teacher in the early 1970’s, I soon realized the potential of using the
cassette tape to help students practice their homework lessons. Now my voice could be in
many places at the same time! Bar Mitzvah students found this method of particular benefit
because they could review lessons at their convenience even when a teacher was not
available. Not only was the cassette tape an effective learning tool, it was fun too!
In 1976 my father, of blessed memory, produced a cassette tape of his incomparable
rendition of the Megillah. He had taught generations of students the fine art of Torah
Reading and leading the synagogue services with a unique sensitivity and style. In fact,
many years later, that recording would be shared by Jewish American soldiers in the Middle
East when the Gulf War ended on Purim day. My father shared his tape with the
congregation. My wife and I decided to share it with the world.
We began to tell people about these wonderful Megillah tapes and how they provide
knowledge, skills and joy to listeners of all ages. Soon, all the tapes were gone but
requests from people wanting to learn all sorts of Jewish skills in this novel and
enjoyable way just kept on coming. Could we design a tape that would teach the proper way
to conduct a Seder? How about one on how to chant the Haftorah? Or one that teaches how to
read Hebrew? Every order was filled and CHADISH MEDIA, a school without walls was born.
I recall being surprised, initially, by some of the requests since I had grown up assuming
that every Jew knows how to perform all the Jewish rituals. But there was obviously a void
out there that needed filling. I’m not just talking about the needs of newcomers to
Judaism for whom we were soon producing tapes like "How to Put on Tefillin," but
about the needs of Jews who had always been observant, but somehow never learned the
proper nusach for davening or leining. There are many professionals, for example, who may
command the greatest respect in their chosen fields but, because they never had time to
learn to do it properly, suffer great embarrassment when they’re offered an honor at
the synagogue.
It is precisely for people like this that CHADISH MEDIA offers cassettes that impart the
essential skills for conducting the Weekday, Shabbat and Yom Tov prayers, as well as teach
the proper way to chant the Torah, Haftorah and Megillah readings. Yet, the current
CHADISH MEDIA selection of tapes and books are by no means limited to this audience; from
cassettes on basic Judaism, to a full selection of discourses on the Torah, Jewish
holidays and stories right down to Bar Mitzvah lessons, there’s a tape out there for
everyone regardless of the level of observance or religious background.
The "customized" approach to tape production that characterized the creation of
CHADISH MEDIA remains to this day its modus operandi. Indeed, the company will often
comply with a single request for a tape, regardless of its ultimate
"marketability". Hence, CHADISH MEDIA did not hesitate to record a reading of
Tehillim, the Psalms, for a blind hospital patient. And it was with a sense of great
satisfaction that we taped the "sound track" of a minyan at prayer for an
elderly rabbi too frail to leave his house, but homesick for the "music" of
Shul. While there is obviously little profit in consistently filling orders of this sort,
CHADISH shares the conviction that there are some things on which it is impossible to put
a price tag. Our listeners agree that in many ways tapes are more effective teaching tools
than books. When something is heard, it often has more of an impact, since the listener
can hear inferences and emphasis in the voice of the speaker. It’s a lot more
personal and our friends keep asking for more and they tell their friends about us as
well.
We are so pleased when we often hear from people who have had success using our materials,
and there’s no telling from how far away these gratifying reviews will come. CHADISH
MEDIA tapes have found their way to locations like Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and
Yellowstone Park, where a particular forest ranger makes his rounds to the accompaniment
of the inspirational sounds of CHADISH. Indeed, many Jewish organizations such as Jewish
Outreach and Chabad use CHADISH MEDIA as a resource for their people. It’s so nice to
know that our family is growing!
Clearly, there is no characterizing the "typical" CHADISH listener. CHADISH
tapes have found their way into prison cells and infant nurseries. You’d be surprised
how many parents opt to lull their babies to sleep with trop (the correct ‘tune’
for chanting the Haftorah reading) rather than Rock-A-Bye-Baby. With every prayer and
reading now available, a child’s Jewish education can actually begin early on when
learning is truly optimal.
For CHADISH MEDIA, the opportunities presented by reaching out to people from so many
walks of Jewish life is a constant source of satisfaction. Everyone is created to do
something special, everyone has a particular ability. To be able to utilize that ability
in divine service is truly the ultimate accomplishment.
Consider this your personal invitation to discover the joys of Jewish knowledge.
You’ll be learning from the kinds of gifted and caring teachers you always wished you
had, at your pace and convenience, and you’ll enjoy every minute of it!
CHADISH MEDIA WAS FOUNDED TO FURTHER THE CAUSE OF JEWISH EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE
WORLD.
ENJOY!
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