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Jews Are Warmly Embraced In War-Torn Congo of All Places — but Why?
Jews, like any minority, have a knack for finding other Jews seemingly anywhere they go. But there’s one country where they may find comfort in unexpected brethren: the Democratic Republic of Congo. “I’m Jewish, too!” an excited Chideka Emmanuel, 38, told me in July, his welcoming smile appearing, perhaps, a little wider. “Spiritually Jewish,” he…
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Hazzan Ilan Mamber, “Erev Shel Shoshanim”
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey Age: 69 Song: “Erev Shel Shoshanim” Cantor Ilan Mamber was born in Bnei Brak, a suburb of Tel Aviv, Israel. As a child, he was a member and soloist in various choirs in the “great Synagogues” of Tel Aviv and its surrounding towns. Upon his arrival in the United States, he…
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Cantor Marsha Attie, “Sha’alu Shalom”
Corte Madera, California Age: 59 Song: “Sha’alu Shalom” Marsha is a cantor, composer and recording artist who works individually and collaborates with others. She writes soulful Jewish liturgical music that is sung around the country and recorded by other artists. Her song, Heart of Mine, has been a Jewish summer camp hit single since 1995….
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Cantor Aryeh Hurwitz, “Raisins and Almonds”
Brooklyn, NY Age: 27 Song: “Raisins and Almonds” Cantor Aryeh Leib Hurwitz is a soloist and performer from Brooklyn, NY, whose brilliant voice has been featured all over the world. From the United States to France, England to South Africa, from the wild beauty of South America, his voice has shaken audiences and pierced hearts….
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Rebecca Schwartz, “Tzadik Katamar”
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania Age: 59 Song: “Tzadik Katamar” Rebecca Schwartz is a professional singer, guitarist, and award-winning songwriter. Her liturgical music is sung on the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) and other holy days in synagogues around the world. Rebecca has written and co-produced five albums, has also released three singles, and has written and recorded songs to…
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Ilene Safyan, “Hashkivenu”
Portland, Oregon Age: 63 Song: “Hashkivenu” A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ilene Safyan currently lives in Portland, Oregon, where she has become one of the West Coast’s most celebrated Jewish musical artists. Whether in her role as cantor, teacher, performer or composer, Ilene weaves the multicultural musical strands of the Jewish experience into a rich,…
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Shir Yaakov Feit, “Broken Hearted”
New Paltz, New York Age: 38 Song: “Broken Hearted” Shir Yaakov engages Jewish, multi-faith, and non-affiliated people around the world, building spiritual communities, facilitating and inspiring communal music, and helping people connect with their inner wisdom and truth. He works in formal and informal educational settings as a spiritual leader, teacher, and musician. Shir Yaakov,…
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Meet the Cat-Loving, Smart-Ass Brooklyn Artist Who ‘Sits With Kaepernick’
A Jewish Brooklyn artist has plastered the borough with “I Sit With Kaepernick” posters backing the now-famous protest of football superstar Colin Kaepernick. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback became part of a nation-wide controversy with his refusal to stand during the national anthem to protest racism and the oppression of black people in America. Designer…
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Cantor Pavel Roytman, “Ana Dodi”
Wilmette, Illinois Age: 44 Song: “Ana Dodi” Cantor Pavel Roytman is a native of Nikolaev, Ukraine. At the age of seven, he was accepted as a piano student to a specialized music school for gifted children. He continued his studies in piano and conducting at the Kaliningrad Rachmaninov Music College in Russia and later at…
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Hazzan Matthew Klein, “Elohai N’shama”
Rockville, MD Age: 32 Song: “Elohai N’shama” Hazzan Matthew Klein has been with Congregation Beth El since 2011. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS), where he received a master’s degree in sacred music and investiture as a hazzan. He concentrated in pastoral care, and spent one summer as a…
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Soundtrack of Our Spirit 2016 Jacob “Spike” Kraus, “Ki Eshmera Shabbat”
New York, NY Age: 25 Song: “Ki Eshmera Shabbat” Jacob Spike Kraus is an up and coming singer-songwriter from Boston. He released his first secular studio EP, The King’s Beanie EP, in the spring of 2013, and his first full-length studio album, Shake Off The Dust, in April 2015. Currently based out of Astoria, NY,…
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