Azamra Events: In Tune With Today's Youth

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Written by Michele Justic

Friday, 09 January 2009 19:00

Have you ever pulled off a successful simcha? If so, you know that no matter how great the music and food are, there is that "intangible something" that would really "make" the event perfect. Without this "something," it feels like the simcha is lacking. Simchas involve a lot of detail coordination but in the end, everyone really just wants to have a good time. Yet one person's good time can be another person's "shanda" and a balance has to be carefully drawn between fun and frum, cool and classy, etc.

Who better to meet such expectations than someone who has been finding this delicate balance his whole life? Mature and young, hip and heimishe, the one and only Jeff Neckonoff has a story that can (and has) filled magazines and webzines galore. He earned his stripes spinning vinyl for ten years in nightclubs before finding his way to Chabad of the Five Towns (by car on Shabbos). After taking on the seemingly insurmountable challenge of changing his ways and encouraging his wife and children to do the same, Jeff's family stand today as model ba'alei teshuvah. Jeff notes on how his personal and work life have meshed, "As someone who grew up totally non-observant and is now shomer Shabbos, in 2004 I created and grew Azamra DJ, geared towards the Orthodox community, into the premier truly kosher music alternative for today's young Jewish families."

But he hasn't forgotten his roots. He knows which music will really get everyone off of their seats. And he knows which music can have a truly detrimental effect on his young audiences. He knows which games everyone will enjoy, and which will elicit only snickers and sarcasm. As he notes on his website (www.azamraevents.com), he has been "Providing exceptional, exciting, high-energy, personalized special event musical entertainment since 1987!" He's the type of person every parent would want involved with their child's simcha-giving everyone a good time with nothing to regret. Jeff notes that "it's more than just my business. It's my mission to bring to Orthodox families a real kosher choice for their musical entertainment, as well as showing today's Jewish youth that, yes you can have an amazing time without having the popular culture intrude on such a special day."

Jeff explains his approach as follows, "Basically what we do is kasher the music, dancing, and entertainment for Orthodox and Torah-respecting families. The high energy is there. The great music is there. The Orthodox songs are there. The 30-minute first dance is there. The male dancers wearing kippot are there. The young, bubbly, properly attired female dancers are there. What's missing is rap/hip hop and every and any song with inappropriate lyrics and dance moves. We hope what we do resonates with today's young Jewish community, struggling to raise their children in a world that is not so friendly to the values you and I share."

From working solo to joining the most successful DJ company in the United States, EJM Entertainment, Jeff finally came around to forming his own company, later switching to a different mode of operations based on his own ideals and experience. He called it "AZAMRA," a Hebrew word meaning "I will sing!" The keynote of all Azamra's work is the teaching of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) based on Tehillim 146:2: "Azamra! I will sing to my G-d as long as I live!" "The way to sing the song of joy is by seeking the good in all people, especially in ourselves. Each good point is one more note in the song of life!"

AZAMRA maintains the highest level of professionalism. Jeff belongs to the National Association of Mobile Entertainers, an organization of professional disc jockey entertainment companies who are concerned with maintaining a high standard of quality in performance and business ethics in order to insure that the customer receives the best possible service for your party.

I had seen Jeff in action many times, at bar and bat mitzvahs and at shul events. The fun that he brings to the party always impressed me while I also noted the absence of the negativity, cynicism, and premature maturation that characterizes so much of today's youth culture. Still, until I actually saw him behind the scenes, at my son's upsherin, I never gave much thought to the level of professionalism that he brings to the table. I had worked out the schedule ahead of time and Jeff handled the rest flawlessly and without needing to ask me, a harried mother with too many balls in the air, for anything. He intrinsically knew how to handle issues with volume and space. He and his equipment were on our deck, yet his music did not "blare" out at an annoying level. He made everything look and sound just right and the music added a tremendous amount of simcha to the event.

In addition to mastering the music scene, Jeff offers many extras for a complete simcha experience. His most popular package includes a DJ and three simcha entertainers. This is ideal for those who prefer three performers leading during circle, hora, and simcha dancing. This package maximizes the high-energy and "leibadik-ness" of the event. All packages include use of his top of the line sound system and a professional looking setup. A full event includes a full four hours of simcha entertainment plus complimentary music for the cocktail hour. A women-only crew is available for women's events, and a live entertainer or orchestra is available, if desired. Also, for midweek events, Jeff offers budget packages as well. Other equipment and entertainment such as a video projector with a screen, foto favors, giveaways, and a slew of other items are also available upon request.

Jeff's next public performance will be on Monday, October 5, 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the annual Chabad of the Five Towns beis ha'shoevah event in Cedarhurst Park, which he has been doing since 2005. Come by to enjoy his music and personality. Jeff welcomes all to please feel free to come up and say hello.

To watch videos of past performances, learn more, or to contact Jeff directly, visit www.azamraevents.com.