Too young to read, but sings like a dream

JORDAN MOSHE

Astonishingly, this talented six-year-old can’t yet read or write, but he can obviously sing this particular Shabbos song word perfect.

One of four children born to Stephen and Lara Brasg, Judah has been singing since the age of four, and leaves listeners awestruck every time.

His musical talent took his parents by surprise. They first realised he was musically talented when Stan Brasg, Stephen’s father, celebrated his 76th birthday in 2017.

“His grandsons prepared to sing Anim Zemirot together for him in Sydenham Shul, and my elder son, Noah, practiced with Stephen in preparation,” Lara says. Young Judah was considered too young to be involved, but he sat in on the sessions and listened attentively as his brother practised.

When the big day arrived, Judah astonished his parents when he asked if he could join his brother and cousins on the bimah and sing with them.

“We didn’t know he knew it,” says Lara. “We were completely blown away when he asked if he could do it with them, and he actually led the beginning. We never expected it.”

As Judah was then only four, it was obvious he had been learning the music by ear. He’d heard the song sung on a number of occasions, notably when his cousins practiced the song in preparation for their great grandmother’s 90th birthday Shabbat. It is to her that Lara attributes her son’s musicality.

“Stephen’s grandmother, Cecilia Borochowitz, was a Holocaust survivor and a prominent violinist,” she says. “She was the matriarch of his family. All her great grandsons are quite musical, and Judah’s ear for music and auditory memory seems to have come from her. She was the spark.”

His parents are amused at how he puts on a show of reading, when he can’t do so yet. “He looks down, turns pages, and makes as though he’s following words,” says Lara.

Judah sings with confidence. His mother says that though he was shy initially, singing in a quiet voice, he now gives his all when he opens his mouth to sing, often sharing the performance of Anim Zemirot with his brother in shul on Shabbat.

“He owns the space now, and is happy to do it,” says Lara. “He always asks to do it, but is also quite humble about it in spite of his age. He walks to the bimah with his head down, and he always comes to me afterwards to give me a hug before he leaves the shul.”

Judah practises regularly with his father, varying the tunes he uses, and sings regularly at both Sydenham and Great Park Shul. He is already learning other pieces to sing in shul, including Ein Keloheinu.

His musical future is unquestionably bright, and if his current performances are anything to go by, the years ahead will be melodious indeed. Eat your heart out, Yaakov Shwekey!