Two cantors sing the national anthem outside of NYU Langone Medical Center. Image by Molly Boigon

By Molly Boigon May 13, 2020

Two Hasidic cantors sang the Star-Spangled Banner for medical workers outside NYU Langone Medical Center on 33rd Street on Tuesday, according to a video posted on Twitter by a Chabad spokesman.

Aron Gerstel and Yaakov Lemmer, the two cantors, can be seen standing on top of Gerstel’s car and singing as medical workers and spectators watch. At the end of the performance, the spectators applaud and cars and trucks honk their horns.

Chassidic cantors sing The Star Spangled Banner honoring frontline medical providers outside NYU hospital in NYC with @FDNY firefighters and other first responders cheering on. pic.twitter.com/yCE0ECKGQT

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

— Motti Seligson (@mottiseligson) May 13, 2020

Gerstel said on Twitter that he visits a different hospital to sing every night.

Molly Boigon is an investigative reporter at the Forward. Contact her at [[email protected](opens in new tab)](mailto:[email protected](opens in new tab)) or follow her on Twitter @MollyBoigon

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount