This week we observe Yom HaShoah and commemorate the unimaginable amount of lives lost during the Holocaust. The Hannah Senesh poem “Eili, Eili” is a powerful reminder that life goes on, and this timeless setting of these words by David Zehavi (covered here by Rabbi Noah Diamondstein) has become such a staple in Jewish music […]

There are SO many amazing parts of Purim to explore, from the Purim story and characters to the 4 mitzvot of Purim to hamantaschen (a category of its own!). Then, of course, there are the costumes! Purim gives children a special opportunity to do some incredible self-discovery by trying on different looks and imagining different […]

On JRR we have an amazing show called “Jewish Holiday Remix,” where host and Jewish singer-songwriter Jacob Spike Kraus creates a playlist of songs for specific Jewish holidays that go beyond the obvious holiday songs. These songs have really subtle and thoughtful connections to those holidays. For a Purim episode, Spike chose “I Am Enough” […]

This song by Noah Aronson has a beautiful message of welcoming and inclusivity that I wanted to share with y’all for Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month. The lyrics are based on words written by Rumi, a 13th Century Persian poet, from the world of Sufi mysticism. We need more songs with messages that open […]

With all the busyness of fall holidays and big fall transitions like school behind us, we could all use a little peace (and quiet)! I thought I’d share a BRAND NEW song of peace with y’all this week from Noah Diamondstein, a super-talented rabbi and singer-songwriter out in the Washington D.C. area. Noah just finished […]

We’ve just started reading Torah over again from the very beginning, and so it’s THE time to share an awesome song about the creation of the world! This one comes from my friend Josh Shriber of Josh & The Jamtones, who makes top-notch punk, rock, and ska music for kids. In addition to secular music, […]

When I think of Sukkot, I think of cozy fall evenings gathered in the Sukkah with great food and even better company! While the words of “Hashkiveinu” are part of our everyday evening prayers, the mention of “sukkat sh’lomecha” — a “shelter of your peace” especially resonate this time of year, when we appreciate the […]

September’s here, and while summer is out, it’s special to get to come back into our year-round communities — our schools, synagogues, and other special Jewish communities. So this felt like the perfect week for a “Hinei Ma Tov” melody! “Hinei Ma Tov” comes from psalms and has been a staple of Jewish communal singing. […]

Elul is a special month in the Jewish calendar, and it presents all of us as individuals and families with an opportunity to begin the reflection process that culminates with the High Holidays. One way to start this conversation with kids is to simply ask them what’s important to them. With lyrics like “I believe […]

One of the MANY accomplishments of Jewish Rock Radio that I’m very proud of is the group we helped coalesce in Chicago — JRR Chicago Sings. Under the leadership of Cantor Laurie Akers, Chicago artists, cantors and instrumentalists have been coming together over the last 3-4 years to put on some really incredible live concerts […]