Oseh Shalom (Maker of Peace) is the last movement of the larger composition, Shacharit (Morning Service) Text and translation: Oseh shalom bimromav Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu v’al kal yisrael Maker of peace in the heavens make peace for us and for al Israel […]
Shacharit (Morning Service)
Shacharit (Morning Service) interprets the form and content of the Sabbath morning synagogue service. While conceived as a concert setting of the texts, the harmonic/melodic structure contain references to the traditional Eastern European prayer modes of the service. Baruch She’amar (Blessed is the One who spoke and the universe came into being) expresses the mysterious vibratory […]
Look to the Light (SA)
Text by Rabbi Dan Grossman In 164 B.C.E., Syrians ruled the land of Israel and took away the Jews’ right to practice their religion. Judah Maccabee led a rebellion of a small band of soldiers against the mighty Syrian army. They miraculously succeeded in reclaiming sovereignty for the Jews–the right to rule themselves. To celebrate […]
Sh’ma
This declaration of faith is traditionally recited twice daily, and also before going to sleep at night. Parents sing it with their children at bedtime; my mother sang it with me, as I did with my children. This melody for the bedtime Sh’ma came to me as I rocked my first daughter, Chana, to sleep. […]
Shalom Aleichem
Kaddish/Oseh Shalom
This last section of Shacharit (Sabbath Morning Service), may be performed as a standalone piece in either the reduced version for organ and percussion or a further reduction for piano and percussion. In the featured video above with organ and percussion, this sections begins at 31:36. The full Kaddish (unlike the Mourners’ Kaddish, which is spoken, not sung) […]
Look to the Light (SATB)
Text by Rabbi Dan Grossman In 164 B.C.E., Syrians ruled the land of Israel and took away the Jews’ right to practice their religion. Judah Maccabee led a rebellion of a small band of soldiers against the mighty Syrian army. They miraculously succeeded in reclaiming sovereignty for the Jews–the right to rule themselves. To celebrate […]
We Are Dreamers
We Are Dreamers was commissioned* in honor of the 50th anniversary of the state of Israel. The text is Psalm 126, whose theme is the return of exiles to Zion. This psalm, sung after festive meals on Sabbath and holidays, has sustained generations of Jews in exile. Communities throughout the Diaspora (dispersion) have created their […]
My Goodness, Gracious Lord
This composition was inspired during a retreat at the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, outside Beaufort, South Carolina. The Penn Center was originally established in 1862 by Quakers who came to South Carolina to educate former slaves. During a walk through the woods, I discovered a sacred circle overlooking the marsh. There was a […]
Kedushah
During the Musaf Kedushah, we are in perhaps the holiest part of the Shabbat service. Musaf, as the extra Tefilah for Shabbat, corresponds to the extra soul we receive on Shabbat, our extra measure of holiness. Upon entering the Kedushah, we become like angels. We have taken three steps closer to God at the beginning […]
Ashirah Lashem (I will sing to the Creator) Psalm 104
Text: Psalm 104, verses 33-34 Ashirah lashem b’chayai. I will sing to the Eternal with my life. Azamra lelokai b’odi. I will offer hymns to my G-d as long as I exist. Ye’erav ’alav sichi. May […]
Akhat sha’alti (One thing I ask)
It is traditional to read Psalm 27 during the month before and including the Jewish New Year, as part of the season of teshuvah or return. The simplicity of verse 4 always holds my attention and gives me strength throughout the year: One thing I asked of the Holy Living Essence, this I will seek: […]