Reconstructionist Music Project &
Harmoniyah Collective Archives
Welcome to the 2025 Reconstructionist Music Project and Harmoniyah Collective Archives!
The Harmoniyah Collective was a music collective affiliated with the Reconstructionist movement that was active in the early aughts. With the generosity of the founding members, we have recently been able to put the call out for additional music from within the Reconstructionist community and are thrilled to share it with you here.
Here you will find music written for many different parts of the service by rabbis, cantors, lay leaders, and people who defy categorization. [INSERT PARAMETERS OF USE]. Additionally, towards the bottom of the page, we have provided additional links that will lead you to other collections of music by individuals from the Reconstructionist movement. We hope that you will use it well!
Categories
All Services
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Text
Adon Olam
Suggested Uses
Often sung at the end of morning services
Credits
Composer: David Alon Friedman (2016)
Piano: David Alon Friedman
Voice: David Alon Friedman
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Click Here for Music and Lyrics
Text
Ahavat olam beit Yisrael amcha ahavta
Torah umitzvot, chukim umishpatim
Otanu limadeta
With everlasting love, you love the house of Israel. Torah and mitzvoth, laws and justice your have taught us (Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim p.63)
Suggested Uses
Kabbalat Shabbat
Artist’s Statement
I wrote this melody for the Erev Shabbat service.
Credits
Music and English lyrics by Charlie Bernhardt (2016)
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Text
Second paragraph and final lines of Aleinu (Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim 447-49)
Suggested Uses
Services
Artist’s Statement
I was just starting to get back into music composition after a multi-year hiatus, and this was the first piece that came to me, out of the blue.
Credits
Composed and sung by Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein (2021)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Click Here for Music and Lyrics
Suggested Uses
It can be used as an opening or closing song for Shabbat services.
Artist’s Statement
I came up with this melody and decided to keep its as a niggun and not write any lyrics. But, I did not have a name for it. I introduced it as an opening song for an Erev Shabbat service, but had a hard time getting started. The capo was not set right and I started playing the wrong chords. One of our congregants in the front row was giving me a lot of good-natured heckling for my rough start. So, I named it “Dr. Dan’s niggun.”
Credits
Music by Charlie Bernhardt (2013)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Click Here for Choral Arrangement – Please note this is the full score for SATB choir and piano.
Text
The lyrics in this composition come from a prayer that appears as a closing meditation in the Amidah – a prayer traditionally recited daily, standing, and in silence; words found at link above.
Suggested Uses
As a closing meditation in the Amidah – a prayer traditionally recited daily, standing, and in silence.
Artist’s Statement
Composed for the 30th Anniversary of West End Synagogue, and premiered by the WES choir at the 30th Anniversary celebration.
Credits
Composer: David Alon Friedman (2015)
Piano: David Alon Friedman
Voice: David Alon Friedman
Please note that one of the PDFs above is of the full score for SATB choir and piano.
Click Here to Download Audio File
Text
Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s Alternative Aleynu in Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim (page 126)
Suggested Uses
Wherever Aleynu is sung
Artist’s Statement
Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s “Alternative Aleynu” has always resonated with me as an appropriate charge for us as we conclude our services. I wrote my musical setting of it for my congregation (Kol HaLev in Baltimore, MD) to sing with me in place of the “traditional” Aleynu.
Credits
Text – Rabbi Rami Shapiro
Music – Cantor George Henschel (2009)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
It’s intended as an intro to the mourners Kaddish or in place of when you don’t have a minyan
Artist’s Statement
We wanted to capture the feeling of mourners kaddish, without the text.
See the accompanying music video to this song here.
Credits
Lyrics, music and arrangement – Robby Kurrus and Steven Silvern (2020)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
Shabbat services
Artist’s Statement
Written for Shabbat services
Credits
Music – Lorenzo Valensi (2009)
Vocals -Lorenzo Valensi, Rabbi Irwin Keller, Ari Keller
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Click Here for Music and Lyrics
Text
Suggested Uses
Any time there is a desire for a Jewish peace song.
Artist’s Statement
I have always loved this Torah portion!
Find more of Joanie’s work at joaniecalem.bandcamp.com
Credits
Words and Music – Joanie Calem (2020)
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Text
The Shema (Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim p.65)
Suggested Uses
Shabbat and Holiday services
Artist’s Statement
I composed this original melody for the Shema for our shul’s (Oseh Shalom, in Laurel, Maryland) annual Retreat
Credits
Music by Brad Sachs (2020)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
Before the Amidah
Artist’s Statement
I was inspired by the prayer before the Amidah.
Credits
Diane Wacks (2023-24)
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Text
וּבָחַרְתָּ בַּחַיִּים לְמַעַן תִּחְיֶה
U’va, u’va-charta ba, ba-chayim L’ma’an t’chiyeh (Deut. 30:19)
Translation: Choose life in order that you may live
Suggested Uses
Artist’s Statement
There’s a pasuk from the second to last parsha, Nitzavim, that has become a favorite of mine. I first encountered the short phrase within the alternate middle paragraphs of the Shema offered in the Reconstructionist Kol Haneshama siddur. “ובחרת בחיים למען תחיה / choose life in order that you may live” (Deut 30:19). In order to truly live, I can choose life, actively, in as many moments as I can. And Baruch HaShem, that life includes singing in community✨
This track was recorded in the magic bubble of Eden Village Camp and released as part of an album of amazing staff music under the english name “So That You May Live.”
Find more of Léah’s music here.
Credits
Composition – Léah Miller
Vocals – Hannah Bensoussan, Elijah Burger, Rocky Klein, Léah Miller, Brina Novogrebelsky, Avra Shapiro, Lisa Stein, & Ari Westreich
Produced by Aly Halpert & Lisa Stein
Mixed and Mastered by Rafael Gell
Album Artwork by Karen Cheirif, Liad Hasson, Léah Miller, & Denean Ritchie
from Derekh Eretz: Land, Love, & Liberation, released August 14, 2022, recorded on Wappinger land at Eden Village Camp in Putnam Valley, NY
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Text
יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגוֹאֲלִי עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן
Yihyu l’ratzon imrei fi v’hegyon libi l’fanekha Hashem tzuri v’go’ali oseh shalom bimromav hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu v’al kol Yisra’el v’imru amen
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, G-d, my rock and my redeemer. May the one who makes peace on high make peace upon us and upon all of the People Yisrael, and upon all who dwell on Earth.
Suggested Uses
Services
Artist’s Statement
Find more of Adina’s work at www.amberikeman.com
Credits
Composed by Adina Ikeman (2018)
Audio Engineer and Producer: Cantor Josh Goldberg
Mixing and Mastering: Aaron Howard
Vocals: Adina Ikeman
Guitar: Adina Ikeman
Cello: Jenny Young
Harmonium: Josh Goldberg
Kabbalat Shabbat
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Text
Psalm 95:10 (Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim 23)
אַרְבָּ֘עִ֤ים שָׁנָ֨ה ׀ אָ֘ק֤וּט בְּד֗וֹר… וְ֝הֵ֗ם לֹא־יָדְע֥וּ דְרָכָֽי
Arba’im shanah akut b’dor / v’hem lo yad’u d’rachai
Suggested Uses
Kabbalat Shabbat
Artist’s Statement
We were looking to create a visceral sense of the end of Psalm 95.
See the accompanying music video to this song here.
Credits
Music and arrangement – Robby Kurrus and Steven Silvern (2020)
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Text
Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim p.81
Suggested Uses
Shabbat services
Artist’s Statement
Written for Shabbat services
Credits
Music – Lorenzo Valensi (2008)
Vocals – Rabbi Irwin Keller
Click Here to Download Audio File (version 1)
Click Here to Download Audio File (version 2)
Text
Lecha Dodi (Kol Haneshama: Shabbat v’Chagim p.40-47)
Suggested Uses
Kabbalat Shabbat
Credits
Elaine Moise – composer (2004)
Lyrics – Shlomo haLevi Alkabetz
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Click Here for Music and Lyrics
Text
Exodus 31:16-17
Suggested Uses
Kabbalat Shabbat
Artist’s Statement
This was written for Shabbat services at Oseh Shalom in Laurel, MD.
Credits
Music: Cantor Charlie Bernhardt (2005)
Vocals and Acoustic Guitar: Charlie Bernhardt
Electric Bass: Ari Fink
Piano: Geoff Rohrbach
Shabbat Morning
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Text
Suggested Uses
We often use this in the morning Pesukei D’Zimrah.
Artist’s Statement
In 2018, Congregation Ner Shalom dedicated its cemetery in an old apple orchard in Sebastopol, California. I wanted the occasion to feel holy and glorious, because I wanted the land to feel that way. I composed this setting for that day.
Credits
Rabbi Irwin Keller (2018)
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Text
Misheberach l’cholim (Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim p. 684)
Suggested Uses
Shabbat services
Artist’s Statement
I began writing the Hebrew section of this song as a gift to Rabbi Rachel Hersh on the occasion of her smicha because she wanted some new options for healing prayers at shul. We ended up finishing the song together, with Rachel writing the English section and our writing that section’s music together
Credits
Beth Sperber Richie and Rabbi Hazzan Rachel Hersh (2017)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
Religious school; camp; Tot Shabbat; family gatherings
Artist’s Statement
I wanted to add songs to the repertoire of songs I taught to religious school students in the 1980s. This was one of those songs. It was recorded on a cassette titled “The Brightest Candle.”
Credits
Lyrics and music by Madeleine Langman
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Text
Unending Love by Rabbi Rami Shapiro (Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim p.61)
Suggested Uses
Shabbat services
Artist’s Statement
Written for Shabbat services
Credits
Music – Lorenzo Valensi (2009)
Arrangement – Lorenzo Valensi
Words – Rabbi Rami Shapiro
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Text
וִיהִ֤י ׀ נֹ֤עַם אֲדֹנָ֥י אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ עָ֫לֵ֥ינוּ וּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָ֭דֵינוּ כּוֹנְנָ֥ה עָלֵ֑ינוּ וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָ֝דֵ֗ינוּ כּוֹנְנֵֽהוּ׃
May the pleasantness of the Lord our God be upon us. May the work of our hands endure and have lasting value!
Suggested Uses
Shabbat morning, P’sukei d’Zimrah (preliminary Psalms)
Artist’s Statement
I wrote this during the pandemic as a song of hopefulness and determination.
Find more music by this synagogue community (Kol HaLev) here.
Credits
Music – Cantor George Henschel (2020)
Text from Psalm 90:17
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Text
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, yotzer or u’vorei choshech, oseh shalom u’vorei et hakol. Or chadash al tzion ta’ir v’nizkeh kulanu m’heira l’oro. Baruch atah Adonai yotzer ham’orot.
Suggested Uses
Morning services (shabbat, Rosh Chodesh festival or weekday), morning service that falls on Chinese New Year.
Artist’s Statement
This was written for a morning service on the Chinese New Year. As some of morning nusach is in pentatonic, it got me thinking about the Chinese pentatonic scale, which inspired this melody. At the time I was learning about the Kaifeng Jewish community, and became interested in their weaving together of Confucian, Taoist and Jewish thought.
Credits
Composer: Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador (2021)
Text: Morning Liturgy
Havdallah
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Suggested Uses
During Havdalah service
Artist’s Statement
I was moved to write a new Havdalah song. The recording of this song is from a 1980s cassette I made entitled “The Brightest Candle.”
Credits
Lyrics and music – Madeleine Langman
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
Havdallah, before or after Lighting Hanukkah candles, seasonal concert or singing
Artist’s Statement
Inspired while in rabbinical school to integrate Hanukkah past and current realities
Find more of Rabbi Shawn’s work at www.rabbizevit.com
Credits
Words and music – Rabbi Shawn Zevit (1994-5)
Weekday
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Text
בְּשֵׁם הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִימִינִי מִיכָאֵל, וּמִשְּׂמֹאלִי גַּבְרִיאֵל, וּמִלְּפָנַי אוּרִיאֵל, וּמֵאֲחוֹרַי רְפָאֵל וְעַל רֹאשִׁי וְעַל רֹאשִׁי שְׁכִינַת אֵל
Beshem Hashem elohei Yisrael / mimini Micha’el / u’mismoli Gavri’el / u’milfanai Uri’el / u’mei’achorai Refa’el / v’al roshi / v’al roshi Shekhinat El
Suggested Uses
Bedtime shema/tahara liturgy, lullaby
Artist’s Statement
This text is part of the bedtime shema liturgy and is also used as part of tahara (ritual cleaning and preparation of a body for burial). The embodied imagery of the different angels on all sides has been a sweetness, a salve, a support system, an imaginative exercise, a spiritual practice for me.
The most well-known melody to these words is one that I cherish. Yet I also continue to wrestle with Shlomo Carlebach’s complicated legacy of harm. I wanted another melody to hold some of the magic of these words for myself. This melody came to me in the summer of 2024, as I worked as a hospital chaplain, walking alongside and witnessing wells of grief, trauma, and resilience.
Find more of Léah’s work at www.instagram.com/leahmiller28
Credits
Melody composed by Léah Miller (2024)
Recorded at RRC in Philadelphia, PA on Lenni-Lenape land
Léah Miller – lead vocals
Jesse Weil – guitar, vocals
Chloe Zelkha – vocals
Adina Amber Ikeman – vocals
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Text
אֱלֹהַי נְשָׁמָה שֶׁנָּתַֽתָּ בִּי טְהוֹרָה הִיא
Elohai neshamah shenatata bi tehora hee
My God! The soul that you have given me is pure
Suggested Uses
Weekday or Shabbat morning services
Credits
Chloe Zelkha (2021)
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Text
Modah Ani l’fanecha ruach chai v’kayam, shehechezarta bi nishmati b’chemlah, rabba emununatecha.
I thank You, Breath and Animator of Life, for graciously and compassionately returning my soul within me. Great is Your faithfulness.
Suggested Uses
Morning services. Gendered language to be adjusted as appropriate.
Artist’s Statement
A person in my chevreh changed her Hebrew name to Chemlah because she wanted to cultivate more compassion. Modah Ani has the word Chemlah in it so I wrote this melody for her, that she wake up each morning chanting the prayer with the kavanah of honoring the gift of her soul by filling her heart with compassion throughout the day.
Credits
Music – Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador (2021)
Text: Morning liturgy
High Holidays
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Text
Adonai Ori
God Is My Source of Light (Psalm 27)
Suggested Uses
A chant for the month of Elul.
Artist’s Statement
I wrote this chant to be sung during the month of Elul when it is customary to recite Psalm 27.
Find more of Reuben’s work at www.reubenhaller.com
Credits
Reuben Haller – vocals
Gayanne Guerin – vocals
David Borthwick – viola
Sarah Zaslaw – violin
Julia Borthwick – viola
Benjamin Borthwick – cello
Will Roberston – upright bass
Composed by Reuben Haller
Strings composed by David Borthwick
Recoded and mixed by Will Robertson (2022)
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Text
Psalm 23 (Kol Haneshama: Shabbat v’Chagim 645)
Suggested Uses
I use this regularly at Yizkor services, and at times of sadness.
Artist’s Statement
I was asked to write a setting of this Psalm for a memorial service that was being held at one of the local Jewish senior centers after the events of Oct. 7, 2023.
Find more of Joanie’s work at joaniecalem.bandcamp.com
Credits
Words and Music – Joanie Calem (2023)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
High Holidays
Artist’s Statement
This song is based on the concept of teshuva. I wrote this for high holiday services and now perform it annually.
Credits
Andrea Simms-Karp – composer and vocalist (2023)
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Text
Based on parts of the Yizkor liturgy — see lyrics sheet attached.
Suggested Uses
Yizkor service, or before/after Kaddish.
Artist’s Statement
I wrote this on my dad’s birthday, 7 years after his passing.
Find more of Chloe’s work here and here.
Credits
Chloe Zelkha (2024)
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Text
Suggested Uses
We sing this at Yizkor, but it could be used for any setting where a Psalm is appropriate
Artist’s Statement
Psalm 15 was read at my mother’s funeral and it described how she lived her life so well. I wrote the setting for the first two verses of the Hebrew in her honor in 2012. This is why the first two verses are written in the feminine form. In 2022 at her 10th yahrtzeit I wrote the music for the rest of the Hebrew and added the English piece. My dear friends sang it with me at Yizkor on Yom Kippur in 2022 and have sung it each year since.
To learn more about Beth’s synagogue community, please go to www.adatshalom.net
Credits
Composed by Beth Sperber Richie (2012, 2022)
Sung by Lauren Biel, Jennifer Gold, Jen Sherman, and Beth Sperber Richie
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
Choirs of any religious type or denomination. Especially appropriate for High Holiday services and Sukkot.
Artist’s Statement
Written for my temple choir. Inspiration came when our Rabbi heard us rehearsing and came into the room and said we sounded like angels.
Credits
Lyrics and music – Edgar Jay House
Copyright 2022 Edgar Jay House
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Suggested Uses
This is a zipper song, where the congregation can add in the things that they would like to let go of, so it would be personalized for that particular time and group. It is for Rosh Hashanah but I use it at other times of the year as well to help us remember to let go and be.
Artist’s Statement
It was Rosh HaShanah of 2020 and we were all still trying to figure out community prayer/holidays and Covid. This song was born from that trifecta.
Find more of Joanie’s work at joaniecalem.bandcamp.com
Credits
Words and Music – Joanie Calem (2020)
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Click Here for Music and Lyrics
Text
U’vechen yihi ratzon milfanecha Adonai
Eloheynu v’Elohe avotenu v’imatenu
Shetislach lanu alkol chatotenu
v’timchal lanu al kol avonotenu
u’tekaper lanu al kol p’shaenu
May it be your will, God of our ancestors, to forgive all our sins, to pardon our iniquities, and to grant us atonement for all our transgressions.
Kol Haneshamah: Machzor l’Yomim Norim (p. 962)
Suggested Uses
Yom Kippur Musaf
Artist’s Statement
I wanted to create a melody for part of the Yom Kippur Musaf service. I used the tune for a passage found before the Vidui.
Credits
Music by Charlie Bernhardt (2010)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Click Here for Music and Lyrics
Text
Va’ani Tefilati – May My Prayer Come to You, Psalm 6:14
Suggested Uses
During festival and high holiday services, or Shabbat or weekday morning services.
Artist’s Statement
We wanted to have a new melody for this text that is in the Torah service and used on the High Holidays.
Credits
Composers – Lisa Shapanka Arbisser and Naomi Less (2023)
Hallel/Holidays
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Text
Dayenu in the Haggadah
Suggested Uses
At protests, on Pesach
Artist’s Statement
I was thinking of the state of the world, and the meaning of the “dayenu” litany in the Pesach Haggadah.
Credits
Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein – composer, lead vocals (2022)
Rabbi Jacob Siegel – background vocals and notation
Click Here to Download Audio File
Text
Gam choshech lo yachshich mimecha, v’laylah kayom ya’ir, kachasheicha ka’orah.
The dark is not dark for You. The dark is not dark at all. For you night is light as day. The dark and the light are the same. for you the light and the dark are the same (Psalm 139:12)
Suggested Uses
Chanukah, 3 weeks between 17th Tammuz and Tisha B’av, during any time of sadness or hardship
Artist’s Statement
This was written for Chanukah to embrace the light within the darkness of winter. The verse also speaks to the 3 weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’av which is the lowest point of the Jewish calendar. The verse from Psalm 139:12 reminds us to continually look for light even in our darkest moments.
Credits
Music: Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador (2021)
Hebrew Text: Psalms 139:12
English Text: Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador
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Text
Mi chamocha ba’eilim Adonai, mi kamocha nedar bakodesh. Nora t’hilot oseh feleh. Malchut’cha ra’u vanecha boke’a yam lifnei Moshe u’Miriam. Zeh eli anu v’amru. Adonai yimloch l’olam va’ed (Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat v’Chagim 79)
Suggested Uses
Shabbat during the month of Kislev.
Artist’s Statement
I wanted to write a dreamy Mi Chamocha for the month of Kislev (when many of the parshiot feature dreams).
Credits
Music – Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador (2022)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
Religious school; Tot Shabbat; camp; family gatherings
Artist’s Statement
I wanted to expand the repertoire of Chanukah songs I taught to religious school children in the 1980s. This recording is from a cassette I made then entitled “The Brightest Candle.”
Credits
Lyrics and music – Madeleine Langman
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
With children or families during Tu b’Shevat seders or celebrations
Artist’s Statement
I wanted to write a new song for Tu b’Shevat to teach the children in the religious school where I was the songleader/music teacher in the 80s. This was recorded for a cassette I made called “The Brightest Candle.”
Credits
Lyrics – Madeleine Langman and Peter Langman (by permission)
Music – Madeleine Langman
Miscellaneous
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
During services, prayer vigils, memorials.
Artist’s Statement
On October 7th, the unthinkable happened. Like many, I was speechless for days and days. Once I was able to begin processing this devastating tragedy, the words of my new song flowed out of me like water from a mighty stream. This song is called Ein Milim (Bring Them Home) which means “no words” and comes from a place of both deep grief and desperate longing for days filled with hope and answered prayers. Bring them home today.
Find more of Jennifer’s work at www.thetribe365.com
Credits
Music & Lyrics – Jennifer Duretz Peled (2023)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Text
Numbers 6:23-27, but loosely adapted
Suggested Uses
We’ve used it in various ceremonies, b-mitzvah, formal occasions, healing service
Artist’s Statement
The initial idea came from a Tu b’Shevat seder, and developed into the 3-fold blessing–it is a response to the beauty and impact of blesseing.
Credits
Text is a variation of the 3-fold blessing (Numbers 6:23-27).
English translation – Steven Silvern
Music and arrangement – Robby Kurrus and Steven Silvern (2020)
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Click Here for Music and Lyrics
Text
Talmud Bavli, Brachot Noah B’
Suggested Uses
For anything related to disability awareness and inclusion, or anything about judgement.
Artist’s Statement
One of the many hats that I wear is that of an inclusion advocate. I have offered song and story programs for JDAIM for many years. During Covid I was active in an online arts organization called NewCAJEArts, and we did a special program on inclusion for JDAIM. While I had long toyed with this portion of the Talmud, that event was the impetus to finally write the song.
Find more of Joanie’s work at joaniecalem.bandcamp.com
Credits
Words and Music – Joanie Calem (2021)
Click Here to Download Audio File 1
Click Here to Download Audio File 2
Suggested Uses
It works for all settings as a round
Artist’s Statement
Written for the Moses story of the burning bush. Heinu, I am here.
Credits
Diane Wacks (2014)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
During group meditation/hitbodedut; As a teaching tool when discussing spiritual struggles, perhaps during shiurim about emunah (faith) or bitachon (trust); During Seudah Shlishit of Shabbat, that contemplative time between day and night
Artist’s Statement
A niggun written during a moment of questioning everything, where the doubts themselves became the melody – following the path down to find the way up (yerida l’tzorech aliyah).
Find more of Chloe’s work here and here.
Credits
Chloe Zelkha (2023)
Click Here to Download Audio File
Suggested Uses
Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, interfaith services—any time a congregation wishes to focus on the many things that connect us rather than the things that divide us.
Artist’s Statement
I wrote this poem and musical setting in response to a comment made by someone at a Shabbat morning service at Kol HaLev in Baltimore, about how we are all connected in so many ways.
Credits
Lyrics and music – Cantor George Henschel (2024)
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Text
אִית תְּחוּמִין בִּמְעַיָא
Eet techumin bim’aya
Are there marked off places in my insides? (Bereshit Rabba 55:7)
Suggested Uses
Potentially Tu B’Av
Artist’s Statement
There’s a moment in the midrash on Genesis where Abraham challenges God’s assumption about the nature of parental love. When asked about “the son that you love,” Abraham responds with a profound question in Aramaic: “אִית תְּחוּמִין בִּמְעַיָא” (Eet techumin bim’aya) – “Are there marked off places in my insides?” (Bereshit Rabba 55:7).
I wrote this song in the open-hearted months after my son’s birth, when every joy and sorrow in the world felt personal, wondering what it would mean if there truly weren’t marked off places in our insides.
Find more of Chloe’s work here and here.
Credits
Chloe Zelkha (2023)
Additional Resources from the Movement
High Holiday Nusakh Recordings
Looking to prepare for the High Holidays? Rabbi Alan LaPayover (’02) made recordings using the Reconstructionist liturgy that are available to the whole community.
Original Music for the High Holidays
Compiled for the High Holidays in 2020, this list of liturgical music is the gift that keeps on giving!
Curated Playlists to Enhance Your Day
Rabbi Sandra Lawson (Director of Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Reconstructing Judaism) compiled two wonderful Spotify playlists full of music written by folks in the movement. They’re worth a gander!
Additional Resources from the Community
Apps from Rabbi Shefa Gold
Rabbi Shefa has created apps that explore the liturgy from Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs) and moments of praise and gratitude.