Mark Skier’s connection to NCSY goes back to early high school. He was a member of the Ohr Chadash NY region under Nate Segal. He spent some of his first real Shabboses at NCSY Shabbatons and developed a love of Yiddishkeit and a desire to be frum. He also met some great people who continue to inspire him to this day. It was at an Ohr Chadash Shabbaton in Queens that he met Lenny Solomon, who was then in the Shemesh Orchestra. This led to an almost 30 year friendship and some amazing opportunities for me.
He returned to NCSY as a member of the band Kabbalah. Gershon Veroba liked their music and recommended that they play at the Chicago Conclave in Lake Geneva. It was there that Mark met his wife. For several years Kabbalah played for the Midwest Region and others.
Over the years Mark has had the privilege to play with Lenny Solomon at many NCSY events for NY, Seaboard, and other regions, both in Kesher and then Shlock Rock.
Mark keeps close touch with Lenny and plays with him several times a year, and they have played on each others’ albums. In addition to Shlock Rock, Mark is active with his own band, the Moshe Skier Band, currently in the process of recording a new album. Both Kabbalah and the Moshe Skier albums are available on iTunes.
In Mark’s words, “NCSY was a wonderful experience for me, both as high schooler and later as staff. I can truly say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without it! I know that there are many, many others out there who would have no connection with Judaism today were it not for those dedicated NCSY advisors.”