Growing up, Aaron Bendich would spend lots of time with his grandfather Max in the North Bronx, in a house “filled to the brim” with records, videotapes, and CDs. Among Max’s collection were recordings of Yiddish songs and other Jewish music.

Fast forward a

We chat with singer-songwriter, percussionist, and multi-instrumentalist Billy Jonas about Abraham Jam, a trio of internationally renowned musicians who have teamed up to create art strengthened by diversity.

I want everyone to hear the poetry of these young people’s lives; they are about joy, accomplishment, and love. And I want others to join them. The lyric “We know we are whole” means all of us; the glue uniting us is God’s breath that we all have inside and deserves to be heard.

This adorable new Hanukkah jam, replete with rapping kids, a bit of klezmer music, and gift-wrapped puppies at the end is exactly what we needed to bring much-needed light and levity to a difficult year. 

Ranging from the sister rock band Haim to comedian Tiffany Haddish, these are the Jewish artists who made the biggest impact on the recording industry this year.

One of most wonderful aspects of Simchat Torah is celebrating the joy of children and families dancing and singing with our Torah scrolls. Watch and listen to songs about our Torah, learn the creation story, how our Torahs can be handled with joy and care, and what all those books are really about!

Long before I became a rabbi, I was a DJ and a hip-hop-head. Music always scored my life, and for years I've wondered, "How can that music be harnessed for religious practice?"

As we consider our preparations for the Days of Awe, let us be thankful that science has permitted us to understand how plagues are spread and seek out knowledgeable guidance from those who can protect us in 2020.

For many of us, words seem inadequate to describe how we are feeling at this very moment. It is music that can carry us, support us, and hold out the possibility of hope and a better future.