A Rockin’ Mitzvah: Houston Bar Mitzvah student drums up fundraiser concert to benefit students with learning differences
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Mitzvah City Lights – Ryder Ponton, Solomon Levin, Lucas Wilson and George Fellows.
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When students pick a musical instrument in middle school, many parents pray that their child chooses anything other than drums. But for Melissa Rubenstein Levin, mother of Solomon Levin, drums aren’t cringeworthy – they are music to her ears.
Solomon attends The Joy School, which specializes in students with learning differences, particularly reading challenges.
“We tried everything,” Melissa told the JHV. “Sports, martial arts, painting. He really took to music and hated everything else. We still fight with him to brush his teeth, but we have never once asked him to practice drums.”
Solomon fell in love with the drums while attending services at Congregation Beth Yeshurun. There, the Shabbat Renewal band and drummer Steve Franklin so inspired Solomon that he even biked to services when his parents couldn’t go.
Soon, just like Franklin, he was playing a box drum. Solomon had found his niche. His focus, anxiety and decision-making abilities improved. Before long, he graduated to a full-sized drum kit and lessons at the School of Rock.
In two years of drumming, he has become something of a prodigy. He made the audition-only House Band at the school, comprised mostly of high school students.
He also has learned to use his talent to give back to his community.
For his upcoming Bar Mitzvah, Solomon formed the Mitzvah City Limits band. On Oct. 8, the band will play a benefit concert from 5-9:30 p.m., at Betsy’s at Evelyn’s Park, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., in Bellaire.
The venue is donating 25% of food and beverage sales during the concert to Attucks Middle School for a Nook pod and other teaching aids.
Solomon, who came to The Joy School when he started sixth grade, is acutely aware that most schools don’t have the resources or the tools that help students like him learn.
“He said, ‘I feel bad for them for not being able to learn the way I’m learning,’’ Melissa said. “My husband, Daniel, and I were just gob smacked. I’m so proud of him for having the gratitude for where he is.”
Solomon understands the importance of being able to focus while learning.
“When you sit in a Nook pod, there is a type of padding, noise-cancelling, and it blocks out the noise to help you focus more,” Solomon said. “I have learning differences and I wanted to give back, and the only way I knew how was to raise awareness and raise money.”
Shani Wyllie, principal at Attucks Middle School, is looking forward to being the recipient of a Nook pod.
“As you know, the needs of students can vary greatly from scholar to scholar, but one common issue that we see is sensory overload,” Wyllie told the JHV. “Though not unique to children, we see where, due to constant overstimulation, students are finding it harder to focus. I know for many of my students, the ability to have a quiet space to take breaks, study and prepare to be successful throughout the day is an invaluable resource.”
The Nook pod is pricey – $10,000 – so Melissa called the London-based owner and persuaded him to provide a floor model for significantly less.
If the concert raises more money than a Nook pod costs, Solomon will provide Attucks with software and The Joy School will lend its experts to give specialized teacher training.
In the meantime, Mitzvah City Limits has been practicing three times a week under the auspices of musician Paul Fellows, who has been helping the boys hone their skills and put together a song list. He is in awe of Solomon’s work ethic and ability.
“Solomon can play very complex drum sounds from famous drummers quite easy,” Fellows told the JHV. “So, we encouraged him, in his own style, to bring his own character and personality to the songs so we still have a little bit of deviation from the song that you hear on the radio.”
Members of the band have not only been practicing, they have been performing acts of tikkun olam.
“A great thing about playing in the band is that we all can get along and play well together and about the things we’re doing for the community,” bass player Ryder Ponton said. “The other day. we all helped get supplies for the victims of Hurricane Ida.”
“I took the boys in the band this weekend to go volunteer with hurricane relief at Bethel’s Heavenly Hands,” Melissa said. “I told the parents in the band, we’re not just going to practice. We’re also going to do good in the world and we’re going to stay humble, just in case they, they take off. I think it’s an obligation to spark more tikkun olam.”
If the band takes off, George Fellows, 13, (and Paul Fellows’ son) will be one of the reasons why. He is lead guitarist and also a drummer, plays bass and violin.
“The thing I like about playing with a band is we’re all so different. [Solomon’s] an amazing drummer, one of the best I’ve ever seen,” said George.
Lucas Wilson, 12, is another key member of the band.
“I really enjoy being in the band,” said Lucas, who is also a guitarist. “In many bands someone else chooses what songs you perform, but not so with us. You get to choose the songs you’re going to play and you’re doing it for a good cause. At the end of the day, it’s a win-win.”
Despite Solomon’s learning challenges, he hasn’t had any issues studying for his Nov. 27 Bar Mitzvah. “He’s hyper-focused and he loves going to synagogue,” Melissa said.
Paul Fellows would love to see everyone at the fundraising concert.
“First and foremost, I think Betsy’s a good place to come to sit down in October when the weather’s a little bit better and enjoy some music. There’s a range of songs for all generations,” he said.
The concert will feature classic rock ‘n’ roll, including selections from the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, as well as new material.
“People ask, doesn’t drumming drive you crazy? Absolutely not,” Melissa said. “He’s not watching TV. He’s not screwing around on computer. So, when I hear that noise, it actually brings me joy. Even if I have a headache, it brings me joy.”
Solomon attends The Joy School, which specializes in students with learning differences, particularly reading challenges.
“We tried everything,” Melissa told the JHV. “Sports, martial arts, painting. He really took to music and hated everything else. We still fight with him to brush his teeth, but we have never once asked him to practice drums.”
Solomon fell in love with the drums while attending services at Congregation Beth Yeshurun. There, the Shabbat Renewal band and drummer Steve Franklin so inspired Solomon that he even biked to services when his parents couldn’t go.
Soon, just like Franklin, he was playing a box drum. Solomon had found his niche. His focus, anxiety and decision-making abilities improved. Before long, he graduated to a full-sized drum kit and lessons at the School of Rock.
In two years of drumming, he has become something of a prodigy. He made the audition-only House Band at the school, comprised mostly of high school students.
He also has learned to use his talent to give back to his community.
For his upcoming Bar Mitzvah, Solomon formed the Mitzvah City Limits band. On Oct. 8, the band will play a benefit concert from 5-9:30 p.m., at Betsy’s at Evelyn’s Park, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., in Bellaire.
The venue is donating 25% of food and beverage sales during the concert to Attucks Middle School for a Nook pod and other teaching aids.
Solomon, who came to The Joy School when he started sixth grade, is acutely aware that most schools don’t have the resources or the tools that help students like him learn.
“He said, ‘I feel bad for them for not being able to learn the way I’m learning,’’ Melissa said. “My husband, Daniel, and I were just gob smacked. I’m so proud of him for having the gratitude for where he is.”
Solomon understands the importance of being able to focus while learning.
“When you sit in a Nook pod, there is a type of padding, noise-cancelling, and it blocks out the noise to help you focus more,” Solomon said. “I have learning differences and I wanted to give back, and the only way I knew how was to raise awareness and raise money.”
Shani Wyllie, principal at Attucks Middle School, is looking forward to being the recipient of a Nook pod.
“As you know, the needs of students can vary greatly from scholar to scholar, but one common issue that we see is sensory overload,” Wyllie told the JHV. “Though not unique to children, we see where, due to constant overstimulation, students are finding it harder to focus. I know for many of my students, the ability to have a quiet space to take breaks, study and prepare to be successful throughout the day is an invaluable resource.”
The Nook pod is pricey – $10,000 – so Melissa called the London-based owner and persuaded him to provide a floor model for significantly less.
If the concert raises more money than a Nook pod costs, Solomon will provide Attucks with software and The Joy School will lend its experts to give specialized teacher training.
In the meantime, Mitzvah City Limits has been practicing three times a week under the auspices of musician Paul Fellows, who has been helping the boys hone their skills and put together a song list. He is in awe of Solomon’s work ethic and ability.
“Solomon can play very complex drum sounds from famous drummers quite easy,” Fellows told the JHV. “So, we encouraged him, in his own style, to bring his own character and personality to the songs so we still have a little bit of deviation from the song that you hear on the radio.”
Members of the band have not only been practicing, they have been performing acts of tikkun olam.
“A great thing about playing in the band is that we all can get along and play well together and about the things we’re doing for the community,” bass player Ryder Ponton said. “The other day. we all helped get supplies for the victims of Hurricane Ida.”
“I took the boys in the band this weekend to go volunteer with hurricane relief at Bethel’s Heavenly Hands,” Melissa said. “I told the parents in the band, we’re not just going to practice. We’re also going to do good in the world and we’re going to stay humble, just in case they, they take off. I think it’s an obligation to spark more tikkun olam.”
If the band takes off, George Fellows, 13, (and Paul Fellows’ son) will be one of the reasons why. He is lead guitarist and also a drummer, plays bass and violin.
“The thing I like about playing with a band is we’re all so different. [Solomon’s] an amazing drummer, one of the best I’ve ever seen,” said George.
Lucas Wilson, 12, is another key member of the band.
“I really enjoy being in the band,” said Lucas, who is also a guitarist. “In many bands someone else chooses what songs you perform, but not so with us. You get to choose the songs you’re going to play and you’re doing it for a good cause. At the end of the day, it’s a win-win.”
Despite Solomon’s learning challenges, he hasn’t had any issues studying for his Nov. 27 Bar Mitzvah. “He’s hyper-focused and he loves going to synagogue,” Melissa said.
Paul Fellows would love to see everyone at the fundraising concert.
“First and foremost, I think Betsy’s a good place to come to sit down in October when the weather’s a little bit better and enjoy some music. There’s a range of songs for all generations,” he said.
The concert will feature classic rock ‘n’ roll, including selections from the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, as well as new material.
“People ask, doesn’t drumming drive you crazy? Absolutely not,” Melissa said. “He’s not watching TV. He’s not screwing around on computer. So, when I hear that noise, it actually brings me joy. Even if I have a headache, it brings me joy.”