Shmiel Ber Weber, stage name Beri Weber (Hebrew: בערי וובר), is a contemporary Jewish religious singer, songwriter, and educator. He has been described as "the heir to Mordechai Ben David".^[1]

Early life

Shmiel Ber Weber was born in 1984^[2] and grew up in a Pupa Hasidic family in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He began singing at the age of 9 although his career did not start until the release of his first album in 2007.

Musical career

As a singer and songwriter, Weber is self-taught.^[2] His stage name, "Beri Weber", was coined by fellow singer Lipa Schmeltzer.^[2] He began singing professionally under the guidance of producer Naftali Schnitzler, and then became a member of the Shira Choir before going solo.^[2]

In 2016 Weber released the album Agudah Achas which was generally well acclaimed by critics.^[3][4] In 2017 he produced a music video of the song "Rabi Shimon"^[5] from the album Agudah Achas in honor of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai and the festival of Lag BaOmer.^[6][7] Later in the same year he released a single "Vtaher Libeiunu" in advance of the festivals of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.^[8] Weber's 2018 single "Kerestir" also went with the Kerestir Challenge, this calling for people to film themselves performing a section of the tune. The challenge was described by Matzav as "going viral" among the Jewish community.^[9][10]

Teaching career

Weber is the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Kochvei Ohr, a yeshiva for boys aged 15 to 19 in Monsey, New York geared towards Hasidic students who don't fit into the regular yeshiva system.

Personal life

Although raised in a Pupa Hasidic family, in later life Weber moved away from Pupa and now identifies with the Breslov Hasidic movement.^[1] As a Breslover he travels to Uman, Ukraine, on Rosh Hashanah and leads the prayer service for several thousand worshippers.^[2][11][12] He is also a student of Rabbi Yitzchok "Itche" Meyer Morgenstern.^[2] He and his wife and children reside in Spring Valley, New York.^[2]

Discography