This song is a bit of a paradox. It’s a Nigun with words. The paradox is that Nigun (plural Nigunim) is a style of Jewish music that has no words. So a Nigun with words is a bit of a paradoxical concept. Having said that, this Nigun has only four words: ora, nora, yisa, and […]
Songwriting
Singing
I’m not a great singer. I wish I was. However, there’s a tremendous blessing for me as a musician and songwriter in the fact that I’m not a great singer. The blessing is, at least, twofold. The first blessing of not being a great singer is that I need/get to share my music with people […]
Reflections on Jewish Music and the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival
Later this spring I will be a part of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival’s spring showcase. Specifically, The Well, a musical Shabbat for which I am the primary composer and band leader, will be leading a Shabbat service/ concert at a local “cidery.” Having never been to a cidery or had the honor of being […]
A Prayer for Healing
We need healing. Our world needs healing. I need healing. You probably do as well. To be human is to be broken and whole at the same time. To be human is to know that our bodies are beautifully imperfect vessels. To be human is to know that our souls can soar to the greatest […]
Rocketman
I recently saw Rocketman, the Elton John biopic. I’m writing this short reflection as someone who is admittedly, not an Elton John fan. It’s not that I don’t like some of his songs or appreciate his musicality, it’s just that he’s not one of my guys. Said differently, this film exposed me to more of […]
Jacob’s Journey
Imagine going to sleep. With a rock for a pillow. Imagine having a dream. And meeting God there. Imagine waking up. And discovering that God isn’t only in your dreams. That God is everywhere.In everything. In the rock. In the dirt. In the trees. In the sky. In the broken hearts you’ve left behind. In the promise of future days. […]