Nissim Black to Headline Chabad of Pittsford’s 18th Anniversary Celebration

Chabad of Pittsford will celebrate 18 years of serving the local Jewish community with a special concert featuring internationally known American-Israeli rapper and musician Nissim Black.

The event, “CHAI PITTSFORD: Celebrating 18 Years of Jewish Life in Pittsford,” is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Sutherland High School Theater, 55 Sutherland St. in Pittsford.

American-Israeli rapper and musician Nissim Black

Organizers say the celebration will recognize Chabad of Pittsford’s growth since its founding in 2008 while highlighting a message of Jewish life, identity and optimism for the future.

The number 18 carries particular significance in Jewish tradition because the Hebrew word “chai,” meaning “life,” has a numerical value of 18.

“Chai means life—and we wanted to celebrate the fact that Jewish life here is truly alive,” said Rabbi Yitzi Hein, director of Chabad of Pittsford. “For 18 years, we have watched Jewish families connect, children grow, traditions continue and new people find their place in our community.”

Hein said the anniversary concert is intended both to celebrate what the organization has built and to express confidence in the future of Jewish life in the Rochester region.

Headlining the celebration will be Black, a rapper, songwriter, producer, podcast host and speaker known for blending contemporary hip-hop with themes rooted in Jewish faith and identity.

Born and raised in Seattle, Black followed an unconventional path to Orthodox Judaism. His personal and spiritual journey eventually led him to embrace Judaism and later move to Israel, where he built a life centered on faith, family and music.

His work draws on hip-hop while exploring themes including faith, struggle, gratitude, identity, hope and Jewish pride. That combination has helped Black develop an audience that extends beyond traditional Jewish music circles.

“Nissim represents something we want this event to communicate,” Hein said. “Judaism isn’t something stuck in the past. It is alive, relevant, energetic and capable of speaking to every kind of person. And we want people to experience that—not just hear about it.”

The anniversary comes as Jewish communities across the country have faced heightened concerns about antisemitism and questions surrounding Jewish identity and security. Against that backdrop, Chabad of Pittsford is framing the celebration around visibility, community and Jewish joy.

Founded in 2008, Chabad of Pittsford has developed programs for children, teenagers, adults and families, along with educational initiatives, holiday celebrations and other community events. The organization serves Pittsford and the greater Rochester area.

Organizers emphasized that CHAI PITTSFORD is not limited to members of the congregation or Jewish community. The event is open to people throughout the Rochester region, including those interested in Jewish culture, music and the diversity of Jewish experiences.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at Sutherland High School Theater, 55 Sutherland St., Pittsford.

Tickets and additional event information are available through  CHAI from Pittsford Concert | Event Reservations | Chabad of Pittsford