We’re in a period of the Jewish calendar right now that focuses a lot on destruction and sorrow, culminating in the observance of Tisha B’Av and commemorating the many tragedies the Jewish people have faced in our long history. That’s a tough topic for young families to navigate, and in these busy summer months it […]

The holiday of Shavuot is this week and it’s an awesome chance to remind our kids that learning ROCKS! Shavuot is a holiday that celebrates learning and Torah and it made me think of this song by my sweet, longtime friend Cantor Abbie Strauss, set to the blessing for studying Torah. You can check out […]

May is a big month for family time, and also major milestones. In particular, it’s the start of graduation season, and a reminder that the kids in our lives are… not kids anymore! I recently saw this performance from JRR Jewish Star Kenneth Lyonswright of his new song, “Blessing,” at one of our JRR Chicago […]

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 […]

Many of us are familiar with the words “LaYehudim haytah ora, v’simcha, v’sason, vikar” as being part of the Havdalah service that ends Shabbat — “For the Jews there was light and gladness, happiness and honor.” These words actually originate from the end of Megillat Esther, which is read on Purim! This totally gorgeous setting […]

February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month, which immediately made me think of my buddy Charlie Kramer. Charlie is a super talented Jewish singer-songwriter who has shared his experience with blindness in a very powerful way, and has become an incredible advocate and coach for people with disabilities. Inclusion education pulses through Charlie’s veins, […]

I wanted to pick a song this week with a message to honor Black History Month in February. This special song by my friend Beth Schafer who is a songleader, singer-songwriter and cantorial soloist in Atlanta who writes powerful social justice anthems. Her song asks us to think long and hard about whether we are […]