John Lack spoke these words 12:01 August 1, 1981 upon the launch of MTV. The first music video shown was The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star, followed by Pat Benatar’s “You Better Run.” The world of pop music would never be the same. Watching your favorite stars tell their stories, instead of just listening to their music changed the way the world experienced the sounds of secular music. The videos added a personal connection from artist to viewer and gave the audience a sense of theater, with choreography and dance elements. Additionally, music television helped to elevate burgeoning artists and new genres of popular music while keeping the world up to date with pressing news of the times. Ladies and gentlemen of Temple Emanu-El: let’s rock and roll with some new Jewish tunes! Today, March 15th, 2018, Jewish Music Television is born! JMtV is a video campaign that will showcase newer, and new (with a few “oldies” thrown in there too) synagogue music. Every Tuesday catch … [Read more...]
A Shabbos Treat for the Soul!
For the lucky few who grew up in Borough Park, Brooklyn during the Golden Age of the Cantorate,[1] the voices of their famous “neighborhood” cantors would become an inspiration. For the future generations of cantors, bringing a sense of “hazonishe moyl”[2] (an authentic Jewish sound) became a true mission and aspiration. A “hazonishe moyl” is more than just a beautiful singing voice. Rav Nachman writes that “the cantor is called a hazzan (sacred musician) from the language of vision (hazon; hazzan and hazon share the same root: h.z.n) that is the language of prophecy, because [the hazzan] snatches the song from the place from where the prophets suckle.[3] In other words, a true hazzan is as inspirational as a prophet; using his or her voice in song to help their congregation connect with the larger questions of existence. This is no easy feat. My teacher, Chazzan Jack Mendelson grew up with the teachings, inspiration and voices of Cantors Moshe and David Koussevitzky, and … [Read more...]
Who is like you, Adonai?
Michamocha Ba-elim Adonai? Mikamocha, ne-edar Bakodesh? Who is like You among the gods, Adonai? Who is like You, majestic in holiness? Midrash teaches us that Nachshon ben Aminadav cried out these words as he waded deeper and deeper into the Red sea. The Egyptians were coming up fast behind the Israelite people. They had two choices: walk into the sea, or turn back toward their slavemasters. Nachshon had an incredible amount of bitachon- trust. So much so that he waded into the water, crying out his affirmation of faith in God as the water rose to his chin, then as the water rose past his lips. Once the water rose past his lips, Michamocha sounded like MiKamocha. It was at that moment, when the water covered Nachshons airway’s that God split the sea. Nachshon, along with those who followed him into the water literally willed the sea to split. Their faith and trust was so powerful that the action of wading into the water literally created its explosion to either … [Read more...]
Elana Arian Performs at Temple Emanu-El’s Katz Family Artist in Residence
Part Mozart, part Mingus, part Mitchell, Elana Arian is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and composer. Utilizing mandolin, violin and jazz guitar, Elana creates and builds a depth of soul into prayer. Music and liturgy become one as layers and textures of sound produced by voices and instruments elevate everyone who hears her music. Elana’s musical accomplishments are not limited to the realm of Jewish music. She has produced two secular albums and is a sought after studio musician. Elana has played in some of the most famous houses of music across the country, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. She has the distinct honor of performing five different times at the White House. Guess what?! We are the next stop on the Elana Arian Artist in Residence tour. February 23rd-25th Elana will join us as a part of the Katz Family Scholar/Artist in Residence program. Friday Night Shabbat services with me, Elana, Rabbi Max and our choir are at 7:30pm. Saturday Night at … [Read more...]
Welcome to February
February is quite a famous month. Known for its celebration of love or, for some St. Valentine, it is also well known for the following holidays: Click on the highlighted words to learn more: Sometimes Super Bowl Sunday (Next year February 3rd 2019 in Atlanta, Ga- so mark your calendars football fans!), Paul Bunyan Day, Indianapolis/Daytona 500, Mardi Gras, LEAP Year, The Westminster Dog Show, The Kwakiutl Midwinter Ceremony, Groundhog Day, President’s Day, and the biggest night of the year for Hollywood (and all celebrity, movie and haute couture fans) The Academy Awards. It is not a surprise that in recent years, Judaism has chosen this very special month celebrating love in all forms and fashion to elevate Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion. For short, J.D.A.I.M. This special month is now in its tenth year, and marks a time when Jewish communities come together to raise awareness and advocacy for those with different abilities. Here in Atlanta, The Jewish Abilities … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- Next Page »
