INTERVIEW WITH THE MOTHERS OF THE TYH BOYS

Behind Every Awesome Jewish Kid
is an Amazing Jewish Mother.

Come with us for a rare treat to hear the perspectives of the five incredible mothers behind the viral music sensation, the TYH boys. 

MEET THE MOMS

Sruly’s Mom:

AHUVA ROSENBLATT grew up in Brooklyn, but for the early years of her marriage, she and her husband raised their kids in Norfolk, Virginia, before settling in Far Rockaway. She is currently a math teacher in Bnos Bais Yaakov and runs Orah Day Camp. Her favorite drink is plain old hot coffee, enjoyed in the mornings before anyone wakes up 🙂 

Ahuva’s relaxation is to read before she goes to bed. She loves Sukkos because everyone gets involved, men women and children. They love to all put up the sukkah and try to figure out how to fit in the indoor furniture.

Shua’s Mom:

ATARA HEIMOWITZ is a mom of five living in Cedarhurst, NY. She is a school social worker and maintains a private practice in Lawrence. She loves iced coffee & iced tea, and likes listening to Meaningful People. Atara enjoys reading historical fiction (specifically WWII era books) and for her, self-care is going out with friends, exercising, and thrifting. She loves Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for their beautiful davening, and Sukkos because of the fun family time in the sukkah.

Roni’s Mom:

ROYA SAMUELS is a pediatrician and mom of four living in Great Neck, NY. She originally grew up in a Persian Sephardic home in Houston, and married an Ashkenazi man from Cleveland. The Samuels family lives in Great Neck now. Roya loves to drink iced coffee in the morning. Her favorite book is ‘Maybe you should talk to someone’ by Lori Gottlieb because it sheds light on the importance of self-awareness, and the power of accountability and growth. For Roya, self-care is playing tennis and mahjong with friends! 

 Her favorite part of the Yom Tov season is having her family around the table enjoying her classic   Chag recipes, including red lentil soup and Persian-stuffed grape leaves.

Rudy’s Mom:

LEAH ROSENZWEIG grew up in Miami Beach and now lives in Lawrence. She juggles being a mom of eight, while also working at AAW Capital Services, and helping out behind the scenes with lots of TYH related projects! Her favorite drink is definitely coffee, and while she doesn’t have much time to read, she does love listening to Tanya with Faigy (TYH’s Best!). Her top two self-care moves are running and clearing her head, and also a good massage. Leah’s favorite Yom Tov is Chanukah because she enjoys how it is cozy and not stressful. 

Zevi’s Mom:

YONINA KAUFMAN is a mom of six, living in Woodmere, NY. She works as a LCSW for the NY Department of Education, and as a clinical coordinator at A TIME. She also teaches social work as an adjunct professor and has a private practice specializing in maternal and reproductive health. 

Her favorite drink is coffee, and for her, self-care is running, exercising, baking sourdough, and working on crafts. 

In general, what is your family’s relationship like with music?

LEAH ROSENZWEIG: We have music blaring at all times in our house! Some of my kids like to fall asleep to soft, soothing music, while others wake up to loud, upbeat music to get them going. 

ROYA SAMUELS: My kids are frequently walking around humming tunes and singing songs, and they know a tremendous number of lyrics to all kinds of different songs, which always really impresses me. Two of my kids play instruments: my daughter Eliana plays piano and guitar, and Roni plays piano. 

AHUVA ROSENBLATT: We always have music playing whether we’re cooking for Pesach or it’s just a Friday afternoon; putting something on just helps with the mood! My older sons were also in choirs, and I was in all the school choirs growing up.

YONINA KAUFMAN: Our Zevi grew up in a very musical home. His father is Shloimi Kaufman, who is a veteran in Jewish music. And he has an older brother, Nachi, who as a young boy was also featured in many productions. Zevi was brought up surrounded by recordings and rehearsals and performances. And he really learned from a young age the power of music as a way of coming closer to Hashem.

ATARA HEIMOWITZ: My kids know all the words to all the songs out there and are always singing together! My kids all have 24Six’s and they’re constantly going. We’ve always encouraged a love for music and start our kids early with musical instruments; Shua plays guitar. 

Your son is obviously a huge shaliach right now for Klal Yisroel, bringing simcha, passion, and pride in Yiddishkeit − what are your thoughts and feelings about this whole journey?

ATARA HEIMOWITZ: We feel lucky that he is able to have this experience, taking something he loves and getting to be in the forefront bringing these fun, relatable songs to others and having the best time with it. I think the messaging of the songs is meaningful and instills a feeling of pride and greatness in every kid who listens! 

AHUVA ROSENBLATT: I am incredibly proud of Sruly not just because he sings beautifully! He’s always been full of life and energy, and this has channeled so much positivity into his life. I love when I’m out with him and he meets people who tell him how much of a difference he’s making. As a mother, there’s nothing more meaningful than seeing your child use his talents to bring joy and strengthen other people. Sometimes he doesn’t even know what to do with himself; BH, he doesn’t get puffed up about it. Of course, we know this choir isn’t going to last forever, his voice will change, and so on, but I’m sure it will leave him with memories for a lifetime. He’s made such strong friendships with the other four boys in the choir. There are just so many good people involved, with good middos, and the boys spend a lot of time with them. I thank Hashem that these role models are such good and special people, and that they all share the same message and the same goal.

LEAH ROSENZWEIG: The fact that the boys are zoche to spread light and love at all times to whomever they come in contact with is such a bracha, and we’re so grateful and blessed to be part of it. The boys feel it too. 

ROYA SAMUELS: We really view it, and he views it, as a tremendous privilege, and as the ability to be part of a unique experience with an organization that is full of light, brightness, kindness, and giving, and that spreads only positive messages into the world. That’s very much in tune with the values we’ve instilled in our children, and in Roni in particular.

Every message that Thank You Hashem puts out in its songs strikes a familiar chord with our whole family, because it’s how we already live and how we already teach our children to have an emunah and bitachon that Hashem is guiding and directing us, that everything happens for a reason even when we don’t see the bigger plan, to approach Yiddishkeit and learning Torah with passion and love, and to be kind, thoughtful, and generous to others, always coming from a good and giving place. So we really see this as an incredible opportunity to be part of an organization that spreads messages that are already so embedded in who our family is and what we believe. It’s been an extreme zechus to be part of it.

YONINA KAUFMAN: Watching Zevi bring so much to so many and strengthening their connection to Yiddishkeit is really tremendous nachas for us. And, with that being said, he’s still a kid. And we really try to minimize whatever the major impacts and make sure that he lives a childhood that is steeped with responsibility and accountability. And, just allow him to be a kid. 

It’s one thing to sign up for a choir, it’s another to become the viral sensation that the TYH boys have become − what is different here? Why do you think Hashem is giving the boys extra siyata dishmaya? 

ATARA HEIMOWITZ: We had no idea what to expect! We sent in a clip of Shua singing “borei refuos” by Yossi Hecht, he got invited for a callback and the rest is history. I think even TYH couldn’t have dreamed of what it ended up becoming. I think the viral quality comes from the catchiness of the songs, the simcha filled positive pride-filled messages in a world where being a Jew can sometimes feel scary. Of course, the fun music videos and the amazing crew managing them and taking care of all the details helps too. I think the siyata diShmaya that the boys have may come from their music having the ability to replace what kids and families might otherwise be viewing and listening to, which could be a nisayon in this day and age. Having the TYH music is the antidote; they have songs and entertainment that bring positivity and a frum perspective. 

LEAH ROSENZWEIG: I think it really boils down to the fact that Hashem knew this is exactly what Klal Yisroel needed right now: boys who would bring simcha to everyone, which is exactly what they do, and they love doing it.

Yonina Kaufman: This is something that we really have thought about in terms of trying to understand why it became so successful. And I guess our finding was that children really do need a sense of purpose and connection.The songs resonate beautifully and inherently in boys and girls all around the world. 

AHUVA ROSENBLATT: Because their goal is genuinely to make people happy, spread positivity, and inspire pride in Yiddishkeit. They’re not doing this to be cool or to make money. In fact, our kids don’t get paid. I think Hashem gives a special bracha to efforts that are truly for His sake, and we’ve seen that reflected in our own lives. 

ROYA SAMUELS: We really didn’t have any expectations of this. Roni had been a part of the Miami Boys Choir before he tried out for TYH Boys, and when he was accepted to TYH Boys he had to decide whether or not to join. We had some real conversations with him; it wasn’t an easy decision for him to make. But there was just something about the TYH movement and the organization as a whole, how they’ve been able to accomplish so much and reach so many people. They spread Torah in a way that’s relatable, accessible, fun, and appealing to children. When you’re teaching kids it needs to be delivered in a way they can actually hop onto. I think Thank You Hashem has been wildly successful in communicating in a way that resonates with the masses, and especially with children.

It’s been an amazing experience being part of the larger TYH movement, as our puzzle piece in the choir that’s geared toward kids. They’ve branched out, they even have a Thank You Hashem Women’s division because they really understand the needs of different demographics in the frum world, and they’re able to fill those gaps and make things accessible for different groups of Jews.

And especially living in such difficult, dark, and challenging times, it’s a breath of fresh air to have an organization whose messages are clean and wholesome, a real pick-me-up, especially now, when children and adolescents are struggling so much with social media and feeling down, depressed, and anxious. Thank You Hashem goes back to the basics, back to the roots by sending messages of happiness, positivity, kindness, growth, and goodness. It’s just going back to what we need to help our children maintain emunah and bitachon and a happy existence.

All mothers daven for their children. Can you share with us some of the things you davened for for your kids in general? Have you had any specific tefillos for your son?

ROYA SAMUELS: I daven for my children to be healthy and happy and successful, that Hashem shower a lot of mazel on them, that they find their right spouse at the right time, that they be successful in their studies and future work, and that they stay true to themselves and to the values of a Torah guided life that we raised them with. I daven that Hashem guides them and answers all their heart’s desires for the good.

Nothing specific for Roni beyond that, just that he also be rewarded for all the hard work he puts in, and that he be successful in all of his endeavors.

LEAH ROSENZWEIG: We always daven when it comes to things like our kids’ surroundings and who they’re associated with. We’re so blessed and grateful to Hashem that Rudy has such a close relationship with these four really good friends in the choir, who have become like family to us. We’re grateful that he has such wholesome friendships, that he’s able to just be himself at all times, and that he’s constantly surrounded by only the best people.

ATARA HEIMOWITZ: We daven for the success of our children in Yiddishkeit, for them to have a relationship with HKBH, to be happy and well adjusted children, to do well in school in all areas. 

AHUVA ROSENBLATT: I daven for all of my children every day. I always daven that they should be healthy, that they should remain humble despite their talents, and that they should have success in everything they do, and that they should always see the good in people and in life. These feelings haven’t changed because of the choir — they’ve just taken on even more meaning as Sruly’s platform has grown.

I’m happy that he remains humble through it all. Sometimes he meets people and doesn’t quite know what to do with himself, and I tell him, ‘they just want to say hi, all you have to do is say ‘thank you.’ 

YONINA KAUFMAN: First and foremost, I daven that my children are healthy, physically and emotionally, psychologically. But more than anything, we daven that our children remain connected to Hashem, that they build and develop good middos. They make wise choices, become the person that Hashem created them to be. For Zevi specifically, I daven that if Hashem gave him this platform, he should also be able to give him that humility, the strength, the heart to use it for the right reasons. We daven that the success should not become his identity. His identity should always remain that he is right now a child in Hashem’s army, and that he should just continue to be who he is in every capacity. He’s an amazing kid, by the way.

Has your parenting had to change at all since your son joined the TYH boys?

LEAH ROSENZWEIG: It’s been pretty consistent. Nothing has changed drastically. I still have to remind him, ‘Okay, you’ve got homework, you need a normal bedtime’  but I feel like that’s true for all kids these days.

ATARA HEIMOWITZ: I’ve tried to keep my parenting style the same, he might be a household name now but he’s also my little 10 year old boy who has to go to sleep on time (practice permitting), do his homework, wake up for yeshiva and follow house rules! We definitely focus on keeping him grounded and emphasizing that this is a gift from Hashem but who he is and how he acts as a son, sibling, friend, student, etc is the most important thing.

YONINA KAUFMAN: Our values haven’t changed. Maybe some of our conversations have changed. We hone in on being humble and having responsibility, balancing commitments and remembering what truly matters. We do try to protect his childhood which is important to us. We focus on the fact that he is a regular kid with regular responsibilities and that fame is pretty temporary, but his character is going to last forever. Additionally, we do talk about the fact that he represents what a Ben Torah is –  what a TYH boy is. And we think it is important the way he holds himself, talks, and connects with other kids. I guess these are the conversations that have changed.

ROYA SAMUELS:  We’ve worked hard, and Roni himself has worked hard, not to let any of this get to his head. Thank God, he’s a pretty humble kid; he’s always been an old soul, mature, and he keeps everything in perspective. He knows this ride won’t last forever, since these boys’ choirs only go on for so long, so he knows to really enjoy every moment. He’s been lucky to meet wonderful people along the way, and he’s made great friendships with the other four boys. We’ve all become like a family, all the parents helping each other out with carpools and driving. Since we live in Great Neck and not in the Five Towns, our schedules have gone a little upside down because of all the driving, but it’s been a total pleasure, because of what this has done for Roni’s sense of self and self-esteem.

He loves recording, and he loves just hanging out with the boys and singing together. Something that people may not know about is that the boys reach out to kids who are sick in the hospital and to special-needs kids, just to spread positivity and cheer. I think that’s a really big part of this group, being a shaliach to help other kids feel good about themselves.

So no, it hasn’t changed our parenting; it’s given us the opportunity to keep shaping Roni into who he was already on a path to become: a humble, kind, generous kid who loves to sing, loves being with other kids, and loves spreading goodwill and important messages to the world. It’s been a real opportunity and privilege for us.

AHUVA ROSENBLATT: We like to do what’s best for each individual child because what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another. We also don’t make decisions based on what everyone else is doing; if something is right in the eyes of Hashem and aligns with our family’s hashkafa, that’s the path we choose. We also remind Sruly, and all of our children who have different talents, that those gifts are from Hashem, to help them stay humble and grateful at the same time. We’ve always tried to build our children’s confidence and independence, even when they were little. I remember taking them to the playground before they could even walk yet, and putting them on the bars to try to climb, always standing right behind them. Some of my friends would say, ‘What are you doing? They can’t climb, they’re going to fall.’ And I’d say, ‘They’re not falling — I’m right behind them. They need to explore.’ I’ve always wanted my children to grow up believing, ‘I can do this.’ It helps them grow, and it helps their talents, when you let them explore.

How have the other siblings reacted to all of this?

AHUVA ROSENBLATT: Honestly, my other kids are excited for him. People will say, ‘Oh, you’re Sruly’s  brother,’ or ‘You’re Sruly’s sister,’ and they think that’s exciting. They love watching him perform, listening to his music, and watching the music videos. They love being with him when he meets people, and hearing about the experiences he shares with them afterward. It’s really been a positive experience for our whole family.

ATARA HEIMOWITZ: My older son definitely does a lot of good natured ribbing and likes to poke fun at the songs- though we’ll usually catch him singing them when he thinks no one’s listening! My girls absolutely love it, they love being able to have sneak peeks for the songs and videos and telling their friends which part is their brother singing. My baby is obsessed with ‘I wanna be like Zusha’ and loves clapping and dancing to it. They are definitely proud siblings!

ROYA SAMUELS: Our oldest daughter, Daniella, is actually the one who inspired us to have Roni try out for the Miami Boys Choir in the first place — we joke that she’s Roni’s agent. He’s the youngest of four, the baby of the family, and his siblings are constantly cheering him on and telling him how fantastic he is, which really pumps him up with positive energy.

YONINA KAUFMAN: Our kids love it. They’re so supportive. They’re just genuinely proud of him. They love that they have the inside scoop. One thing that we do say is that one child’s accomplishments doesn’t necessarily define our family. 

LEAH ROSENZWEIG: My other kids are great — they love it for Rudy. He’s always been a performer, always singing and dancing around the house, and he’s just so comical. My other kids love it too, from my little ones all the way up to my older kids — they think he’s so cute. One funny story: someone actually tried to pass himself off as Rudy’s cousin. Rudy met a basketball player who told him, ‘My name is Rudy Rosenzweig too — not the Rudy Rosenzweig, but I’m his cousin, we’re named after the same person.’ Totally not true, but we thought it was so funny!

What’s a message you would like to share with the readers, mother to mother?

AHUVA ROSENBLATT: Let your children develop the talents Hashem gave them. Don’t squash them. There are so many different ways to use the different talents Hashem gives each child — just build them up, encourage them, believe in them, because they really shine when we do that. Every child has unique gifts — let’s help them channel them. 

ATARA HEIMOWITZ: Point the spotlight in the places where your kid shines and treat every kid like a star. Another thought  is to have trust in your kids ability to meet and exceed expectations when faced with things that are outside their comfort zone. You’ll be surprised how they can rise to the occasion, I know I was way more worried for him performing than he was for himself and he was great

ROYA SAMUELS: As a mother of four, and also as a pediatrician whose life’s work has been the health and well-being of children, here’s what I’ve learned — and I actually learned this from watching another mother cultivate a talent in her own child, which is what inspired me to do the same with Roni: pay attention to your children. Pay attention to what they’re interested in, what makes them tick, what they’re good at, and cultivate that talent. Every child has tremendous potential, and it’s our job as parents to know our children so well and so deeply that we know what they’re good at and what makes them tick, so we can put them in a position to succeed and hone their skills — so they can feel truly accomplished and proud of themselves.

It could be anything — a child who loves to draw getting into art classes, or a child who’s excellent at tennis getting onto a tennis team. Find that passion, and if it isn’t there yet, help them find it. We are their guides in life, and we’re here to help them reach their maximum potential and feel good about themselves. That’s the advice I’d give parents: pay attention to your kids and help set them up for success in any way you can.

YONINA KAUFMAN: Please don’t compare your child’s journey to anyone else’s. Every family has its own journey. Every family has its own story and narrative. We’re raising children who know that they’re loved, who love Hashem and who strive to become the best version of themselves. And so, success is going to look different for every child. Sometimes that’s standing on a stage, sometimes that’s quietly doing the right thing when nobody is watching. And both are just as beautiful. And so, we just keep believing in your children. Remember that Hashem is writing each and every one of our stories exactly as they’re meant to unfold. 

LEAH ROSENZWEIG: By nature, Rudy is a more shy, timid kid when it comes to leaving the house. This experience really broke him out of his shell — he’s still a little shy, but I think as parents we always need to encourage our kids to just fly. Keep flying, because you’ve got this, you’re amazing — and just encourage them to do what they enjoy and love doing. Rudy loves playing basketball, and he loves singing and dancing. That encouragement is what kids need to perform and do better. They need that encouragement and love from their parents at all times, and to know their parents back them no matter what — and then they really become something huge.

Postscript:

Ever since the TYH Boys became the singing sensation that they are, I had an itch to include their mothers in the Nashim Tzidkaniyos magazine. I knew that behind these five adorable boys oozing with chein, there must be a secret sauce that comes from their mothers. 

I was so delighted to interview these five incredible women, and see how refreshingly normal, down-to-earth, hard-working and invested they are. To me, these five mothers are reflective of being an ‘Eim B’Yisroel’ –  mothers of Klal Yisroel. Women invested in their families, imparting values for their kids, with healthy balanced attitudes, along with gratitude, humility, and living with emunah that everything is from Hashem. Like so many of us, these women are tremendously busy and juggle so much on their plates! It was beautiful to hear how they answered each question thoughtfully, personally, and honestly – with their own emunah, passion for Yiddishkeit, and chein coming through 🙂