Music – Rabbi Jon 's Website and Blog

January 28, 2021

Remembering Debbie Friedman on Her 10th Yahrzeit

I gave this D'var Torah on Saturday morning, January 23, on the Shabbat before Debbie Friedman's 10th yahrzeit. On a Sunday night in early January 25 years ago, Laurie and I were living in Queens and there was a big Nor’easter brewing. Some of you may remember, it came all the way up here –… Continue reading

Education, Feminism, Holidays, Inclusion, Jewish Education, Music, Prayer, Soul, Spirituality, Study, Synagogue, Theology, Torah, Young Jewish Adult, Youth

January 25, 2018

Sing Freedom: Mi Chamocha Melodies

This coming Shabbat is Parashat Beshalach, including Shirat Ha-Yam, the song of the crossing of the sea into freedom in Exodus 15. Every day at our morning and evening services, we sing two excerpts from the song, from the exact middle and the end: Mi chamocha ba-elim AdonaiWho is like You, Adonai, among the godlike powersMi kamocha ne'dar bakodesh,… Continue reading

Beshalach, Freedom, Jewish Education, Music, Parashat Hashavua, Soul, Spirituality, Torah

January 10, 2011

Debbie Friedman z”l

Yesterday the Jewish people lost one of our generation's g'dolot, the singer and teacher Debbie Friedman z"l. Debbie was the pioneer who over the last forty years brought Jewish prayer to us in a new way at camps, youth groups, sing-alongs, sanctuaries, conferences, and eventually even Carnegie Hall. When we stand in a circle at… Continue reading

Music, Prayer, Spirituality

December 5, 2010

Light Is In the Air

I love this song and video of Bible Raps, Matt and Ori. I love it because they know that sometimes fire is even bigger than candles. The fire of Torah, of hope, of Judaism, of our souls — a vivid fire in this video. (For some reason my site cuts off the right side of… Continue reading

Chanuka, Holidays, Music

December 11, 2009

Shabbat Chanuka (1) — Tzedakah and Music

Chag Urim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom! There is a modern tradition that for each candle of Chanuka, the Holiday of Dedication, we might think about or direct a gift of tzedakah to people who exemplify dedication to justice, freedom, or hope. Today I learned that my friend and colleague Rabbi David Rosenn will be moving… Continue reading

Chanuka, Holidays, Music, Tikkun Olam, Tzedakah, Tzedek, Young Jewish Adult