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Sountrack of Our Spirit
Jackson Mercer
Song leader URJ Camp Newman, UCLA student San Rafael, California Age: 21 Nominated by: Rachel Mercer Song: “Lech Lecha,” Jackson Mercer Perhaps it is the ultimate act of a Jewish mother to nominate her own son, but he was song-leading up at Camp Newman with limited Internet access [during this nomination process,] so here goes….
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Sountrack of Our Spirit Josh Breitzer
Cantor Congregation Beth Elohim Brooklyn Age: 33 Nominated by: Rachel Timoner Song: “Da Mei’ayin Bata,” Joshua Breitzer As a classically trained musician, I have experienced art’s power to inspire. As a Jew, nowhere have I felt this more potently than during worship. In my cantorate I hold myself to the highest artistic standards, to use…
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Sountrack of Our Spirit Marcus Feldman
Cantor Sinai Temple Los Angeles Age: 31 Nominated by: Rabbi David Wolpe Song: “V’al Yedel Avadecha” Zavel Kwartin I didn’t choose to be a cantor, rather I responded to a sacred calling: to touch people’s lives at their most vulnerable moments. to enhance their joy and ease their sorrow. Jewish music is the perfect vehicle…
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Sountrack of Our Spirit Angela Buchdahl
It is great to hear the variety and range of Jewish music—its many sounds, texts, and languages. Music is a reflection of the soul of a community, and this project reminded me that our Jewish community is diverse and thriving. — Angela Buchdahl Rabbi/Cantor Angela Warnick Buchdahl began her Jewish professional life as a songleader at…
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Sountrack of Our Spirit Shiree Kidron
Lead cantor Bet Shira Congregation Miami Age: 37 Nominated by: Herself Song: “Lu Yehi,” Naomi Shemer I grew up in Israel, where most music was Jewish music, so it naturally resonates deep within me. My love for Jewish music is at my core, and the desire to share my passion fueled my decision to train…
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Sountrack of Our Spirit Galeet Dardashti
For many of us, Jewish sacred music evokes deeply personal and powerful memories of family, community, and often of those no longer with us. For this reason, many greet deviations from our own experience with Jewish sonic ritual with ire. Yet while some may be nostalgic for a specific music soundscape, Jewish musical practice—never static—constantly…
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Sountrack of Our Spirit Jonah Rank
Jewish studies teacher Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan New York City Age: 28 Nominated by: Timna Burston Song: “Yedid Nefesh,” Jonah Rank What I think is unique about Jonah’s approach to Jewish music is his commitment to quality and innovation. He reaches out to others through his music, and creates new and exciting melodies and…
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Sountrack of Our Spirit David F. Tilman
I believe with all my heart and soul in the power of the Jewish Musical Experience to teach Jewish beliefs, Jewish values, and Jewish loyalties. The most influential teacher in my formative years in Albany, New York, was my Cantor, Dr. Avraham(Herbert)Feder, now a resident of Jerusalem. When Cantor Feder led dovening, the Sh’hinah, G-d’s…
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Who is Behind Canary Mission Website Targeting Pro-BDS Activists?
A shadowy website that posts dossiers on pro-Palestinian student activists has grown rapidly in recent months, while continuing to zealously guard the identity of its own staff and backers. Since a Forward report drew international attention to the Canary Mission this past May, the number of students and other pro-Palestinian activists on whom it has…
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Montreal’s ‘Jewish Schindler’ Rejects Accusations That He Is Doing More Harm Than Good
Despite mounting questions about his credibility and criticism that he may be supporting terrorism, a Canadian businessman says he is more determined than ever to continue his controversial quest to buy the freedom of Yazidi and Christian women and girls enslaved by the brutal terrorist group, Islamic State. In a September 1 interview with the…
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My Quixotic Hunt for Bernie Sanders’ Kibbutz
It’s a constant of virtually every profile written about Bernie Sanders: Shortly after college, the Vermont senator now running for president volunteered at an Israeli kibbutz. Depending on the writer, this detail might speak to Sanders’s Jewish identity, his stance on Israel, or his socialist values. Were any or all of these honed in the…
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