Shragee Gestetner

Shraga Eliyahu "Shragee" Gestetner (1986 – April 30, 2021) was a Canadian-American Hasidic singer and songwriter. He released two albums and composed songs for other singers before leaving the music industry in 2014. He died in the 2021 Meron crowd crush.

Early life Shraga Eliyahu Gestetner was born in 1986 to Chaim and Shoshana Gestetner and raised in Montreal, Canada. He studied at the central Skver yeshiva in New Square, New York. Inspired by singers such as Mordechai Ben David and Avraham Fried, he taught himself to play the piano and guitar during his childhood. He composed his first song at age 12 and sold his first song at age 18. Although he refrained from singing professionally due to his parents' wishes, he recorded an album of his original songs. Producer Gershy Moskowits was impressed by his "heartfelt and beautiful" compositions and hired Gestetner to compose more songs for Hasidic singers.

Career Following his marriage in 2006, Gestetner created his debut album, Shragee, together with Gershy Moskowits and Yossi Green, and released it in 2011.

In October 2011, Gestetner was named Discovery of the Year by Kol Chai Radio. The following year, Tablet named him as one of the "rising talents of the current generation" of Hasidic music. He then opened Vant Panels, a business providing upscale headboard panels to hotels, based on his experience soundproofing his home recording studio. Following his death, his song "Kerachem Av" gained popularity and became an anthem associated with the Meron crowd crush.

Discography

Albums

Shragee (2011) Varemkeit (2014)