Operation Survival has been on the front lines of addressing some of the most pressing issues in the community.
After several tragic suicides hit the community, Operation Survival, took upon itself to release a music video to urgently address the importance of communication and inspire children to reach out and communicate their needs and feelings.
“The goal of the video is to teach children how to communicate, to not to be afraid to communicate, and why communicating is good” said Yaacov Behrman, program director of Operation Survival.
As its first verse reads,
“When my heart is full of joy
I got that brand new toy
I Communicate, communicate
When my lunch falls on the floor
Late for the bus and they close the door
I Communicate, communicate”
The music video is performed by Shmuel and Bentzi Marcus of 8th Day, one of the most popular Hasidic bands in America. It features children acting out the scenes in order to communicate their message as clearly as possible. Entitled “ Knei Lecha Chaver-Talk to a Friend,” it exhorts children to reach out and communicate when they’re in need. It has been purposefully created as a positive, uplifting song in order to keep the focus on inspiration.
This is not Operation Survival’s first music video. A year ago, they released “Inner Voice, Better Choice”, starring popular Jewish singer Eli Marcus and it instantly became a hit, racking up tens of thousands of views.
Produced and directed by Chaim Hershkowitz from Eight19 Productions, “Talk to a Friend” was filmed on the streets of Crown Heights with guest appearances by Benny Friedman and Eli Marcus. The song was composed and arranged by Shmuel Marcus of the 8th Day band.