A Pandemic Playlist: Jewish and Secular Songs for This Moment

White headphones around a plastic heart against a bright blue background

The writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley once wrote, “After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” 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.

Take a listen to this playlist of music, curated for this moment, as it lifts you, holds you, and may just make you laugh.

For a closer look at one of the tunes on this list, read “The Jewish Song That Comforts Me in Uncertain Times” by Rabbi Alex Kress.

About the Author

Rabbi Esther L. Lederman

Rabbi Esther L. Lederman (she/her) is the Union for Reform Judaism's director of congregational innovation and sits on the Central Conference of American Rabbis' task force on the experience of women in the rabbinate.

View All Posts From Author

Search

Arts and Culture

Meet the 27-Year-Old Who's Amplifying the Sounds of the Borscht Belt

April 7, 2021

Growing up, Aaron Bendich would spend lots of time with his grandfather Max in the

COVID-19

Yellow alarm clock fading away at the edges as if to represent the passage of time

The Omer: Finding Hope and Wisdom in the Counting of Time

April 1, 2021

Counting is never more important than between Passover and Shavuot; we call this ritual counting the Omer. Each day we recite a blessing marking that this period of time is meant to be one time of reflection, revelation, and change.

Experiencing Israel

Marc and Karen Rivo smiling in the streets of Safed

Ending Our Year of Yearning for Israel: Our First Trip Back After Being Vaccinated

March 16, 2021

As Israeli citizens living abroad, we may now return to exercise our right and responsibility to vote in upcoming elections. Absentee ballots aren't available to us, though, so we had to return- though the logistics require persistence and patience.