A Potpourri of Jewish Music

If you attended the URJ’s recent Biennial convention, you were, as always, treated to an array of terrific Jewish music from the likes of David Broza, Josh Nelson, Julie Silver, Dan Nichols, Joe Black, Noah Aronson, Michelle Citrin, Peri Smilow, and a host of others.  These dedicated and talented musicians kept our toes tapping, our hands clapping, our bottoms dancing and our voices singing from one end of the Biennial convention to the other.

Better than reading my words about the music, though, watch a few minutes (or the whole megillah) of the Kabbalat Shabbat Song Session to see and hear for yourself.  If you’re anything like me, before long, your own toes will be tapping, your hands clapping, your bottom dancing and your voice singing.

*   *   *

If that’s not enough, plan to tune in at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening, January 14th for live streaming of Miami’s fourth annual Winter Jewish Music Concert.  Formerly known as the South Florida Cantorial Concert, this year’s event (which is beyond sold out!) will feature nearly two dozen cantors, soloists and other musicians performing a wide range of cantorial, Ladino, pop, classical, Yiddish, jazz and rap music from the Bertha Abess Sanctuary at Temple Israel of Greater Miami.  Martin Bookspan, longtime host of “Live from Lincoln Center” will be the guest host and Dr. Alan Mason will once again serve as the concert’s program director. "The sustained success of this annual concert," says Mason, "is due to the consistently high level of executive each performer brings to his or her selection, and the lack of any intrusion (introductions, thank you's acknowledgements) outside of the music."

For a sampling of last year’s music, check out this video:

To tune into the live streaming of the concert, click on this link at the appointed hour (8 p.m. on Saturday, January 14th).  

Happy listening!

*   *   *

Finally, mark your calendars now for 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 11 when choirs from throughout New Jersey and the west Hudson Valley of New York will come together at Temple Emeth in Teaneck for a choral festival…and a chance for you to hear even more terrific Jewish music of all kinds.  Check back soon for additional details.

In the meantime, enjoy the music!