To help us wish you a good and sweet new year, we want to share this new setting of B’Sefer Chayim we commissioned from our friend Beth Styles.
September 16, 2022
Father & Son Duet: Hamol (“Have Compassion on Your Creation”)
Topic(s) / Shabbat, Music
When Cantor Schwartz sings with his children on the High Holidays, it is a special moment for them and a joy for us to share. Through the Days of Awe, let music be your guide to the ultimate solemnities and joys as we gather.
September 09, 2022
Hineni – “Here I Stand”
Topic(s) / Shabbat, Music
We are getting ready for the High Holidays together, in ways we all recognize and also in ways that are special to each of us. This prayer is always a high moment above many.
September 02, 2022
Shalom Aleichem to “September!"
Topic(s) / Shabbat, Music
What secular month is upon us? "Do you remember" how we surprised Rabbi Cosgrove for his 50th birthday? What happens when the PAS Tijuana Brass come out from behind the bimah after services? Answers to these questions are found in this fun video.
August 26, 2022
Kaddish Shalem from Eastern Europe
Topic(s) / Shabbat, Music
There is a tradition of singing the final High Holiday Kaddish in a happy mode. This melody, from the Modzitz Chasidic movement, is sung in many congregations and appears here in a new arrangement. We wish you beautiful last days of summer, Shabbat Shalom, and a meaningful Elul.
August 12, 2022
Cantor Schwartz Sings Adon Olam (“Eternal Lord”)
Topic(s) / Music, Shabbat
Adon Olam shares a common meter with popular songs, allowing us to “flip the script” with a hit tune from time to time. This setting, however, is newly composed by Gilad Cohen and brings a modern flavor to our prayer. We hope you sing along and wish you a Shabbat Shalom!
August 05, 2022
Haomnam – Will Forgiving and Graceful Days Yet Come?
Topic(s) / Shabbat, Music
Will forgiving and graceful days yet come,
When you will walk in the field like an innocent traveler,
July 29, 2022
“Sow in Tears, Reap in Joy” by Debbie Friedman: a Duet
Topic(s) / Shabbat, Music
Psalm 126 comforts us with the idea that the labor of weeping leads to the harvest of joy, and the work of mourning helps us move forward. We hope this duet inspires us all, even as we recall the destruction of the temple.
July 22, 2022
Cantor and Son Duet: El Melekh Yoshev Al Kise Rahamim (Sovereign God Who Sits on a Throne of Mercy)
Topic(s) / Shabbat, Music
This Shabbat, we bless the new month of Av, which gives us the opportunity to reflect on an old, pious custom: the keeping of Yom Kippur Katan (a “Minor” Yom Kippur, the day before the new month).
July 15, 2022
“Guardian of Israel” – Shomer Yisrael
Topic(s) / Music, Shabbat
Do you know this prayer? “Guardian of Israel, guard the people of Israel, let no harm come to the people of Israel, who proclaim Sh’ma Yisrael.” Can you think of a moment when you have said the Sh’ma and felt protection or warmth?