Gal-Paz

Gal-Paz (Hebrew: גל פז) is an Israeli record label and media distribution company whose catalogue centres on Jewish music, above all Hasidic music and cantorial (hazzanut) recordings, together with Haredi-oriented films and children's audio products. It was founded several decades ago by Chaim Zilber and the cantor David Werdyger, and it began its commercial life by distributing records by the singer Mordechai Ben David. Over the years it grew into one of the most prominent labels in the Jewish religious music market, releasing thousands of discs in the Hasidic genre and, according to its Hebrew Wikipedia entry, becoming the leading company in the field worldwide. The label's roster has included many of the most important artists in Hasidic music, among them Mordechai Ben David, Avraham Fried, Yaakov Shwekey, Moshe Laufer and the group Oh Shimechas. Beyond music, Gal-Paz has specialised in producing and marketing children's story cassettes tailored to the Haredi sector — series such as "Ko Asu Chachameinu" and "Chavurat Mitzvot" — as well as films made in the spirit of the Haredi public. The company operates several branches internationally, with locations in Israel (Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Beit Shemesh, although the Beit Shemesh branch has closed) and in the United States. It is currently managed by the sons of the founders, Hillel Zilber, Danny Zilber and Yehuda Zilber. In 2007 the singer Mordechai Ben David sued the company, alleging that it had released an album containing his songs illegally, without obtaining his permission; he sought 720,000 shekels in compensation, and at his request the Tel Aviv District Court issued an injunction against distribution of the disc. The case is a notable episode in the label's public history and reflects the sometimes contested nature of rights in the Hasidic music catalogue.

Gal-Paz was established several decades ago by Chaim Zilber and the cantor David Werdyger. Its initial activity was the distribution of records by the singer Mordechai Ben David, a figure who would become closely associated with the label's early identity. From that starting point the company expanded into a broad catalogue of Jewish religious music, with a particular emphasis on Hasidic music and cantorial (hazzanut) recordings. Over time it released thousands of discs in the Hasidic genre and, according to its Hebrew Wikipedia entry, became the leading company in this field worldwide. The label's output came to include albums by many of the most important creators in Hasidic music, such as Mordechai Ben David, Avraham Fried, Yaakov Shwekey, Moshe Laufer and the group Oh Shimechas. In parallel, Gal-Paz developed a distinct line of products for the Haredi sector: children's story cassettes, including the series "Ko Asu Chachameinu" and "Chavurat Mitzvot", and films made in the spirit of the Haredi public. This combination of music, spoken-word children's content and film gave the company a broad presence in Haredi home entertainment. Geographically, the company established branches in several locations. In Israel it operated in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Beit Shemesh, although the Beit Shemesh branch was closed; it also maintained a presence in the United States. Management passed to the next generation, with the founders' sons Hillel Zilber, Danny Zilber and Yehuda Zilber running the company. A significant episode in the company's history occurred in 2007, when the singer Mordechai Ben David sued Gal-Paz, alleging that it had released an album containing his songs illegally, without obtaining his permission. Ben David sought financial compensation of 720,000 shekels, and at his request the Tel Aviv District Court issued an injunction prohibiting distribution of the disc. The dispute illustrates the legal and rights complexities that can arise in the close-knit Hasidic music market, where artists and labels often have long and intertwined relationships.

• Founded by Chaim Zilber and Cantor David Werdyger

• Began by distributing records by Mordechai Ben David

• Released thousands of discs in Hasidic music

• Opened branches in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Beit Shemesh, and in the United States

• Beit Shemesh branch closed

• 2007: Mordechai Ben David sued the company; Tel Aviv District Court issued an injunction

A leading Israeli label and distributor in Jewish religious music, particularly Hasidic music and cantorial recordings, also serving the Haredi market with children's tapes and films.

• Hasidic music albums

• Cantorial (hazzanut) recordings

• Children's story cassettes (e.g. "Ko Asu Chachameinu", "Chavurat Mitzvot")

• Haredi films

1. 1Gal-Paz on Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2גל פז – Hebrew Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org