When Yaakov Shwekey walked into ArtScroll/Mesorah headquarters last year with a group of children from the Special Children’s Center of Lakewood, the idea first popped into his head. And the idea had been germinating ever since.
Yaakov saw the mural on the wall of Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz zt”l, the legendary founder of ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications, along with a beautiful tribute penned by his partner, Rabbi Nosson Scherman, depicting the world-changing impact that this one man had on the world.
Yaakov wanted to express those very sentiments through song, paying homage to Rav Meir ben Rav Aharon zt”l, who lit up the world with his vision and dedication to spreading Torah to the four corners of the globe.
It was thus that this song, Veha’er Eineinu, was born.
The result is a stunning production that movingly portrays the story of a child who questions his own ability to make a difference, but goes on to become the greatest Torah disseminator of his time, forever changing the Jewish landscape.
The takeaway? Hashem gave each of us talents and abilities. And just as Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz did, so can you use yours to change the world.
Veha’er Eineinu
Composed by: Eli Klein, Yitzy Waldner and Yaakov Shwekey
Produced by Yaakov Shwekey and Yitzy Waldner
Arranged and Mixed By: Ravid Kashti
Child Soloist: Nosson Zvi Zlotowitz
Video Produced by Kol Rom
Directed by: Chananya Kramer
Filmed at ArtScroll Studios
Director of Photography and Visual Effects: Tim Brosius
Filming: Emmanuel Lee
Scripting: Malka Leah Josephs
Casting: Adina Chesir
Editing: Nechama Weiner
Starring: Yaakov Kramer & Family, Jacob MacKinnon, Brandon Rothstein, Yaakov Zuber, Shmuel Boruch Chesir, Shmuli Kranz & Family
Special Thank You To: Rabbi Sheah Brander, Eli Kroen, the Jaffa families, Jenine Shwekey, Yaakov Klugman and family, Chaim and Shira Zlotowitz, Colin and Lauren Goldstein and family, and Rabbi Dovid Neuman/V’Haarev Na