9 Songs To Get You Excited About Jewish Music Again

The Jewish calendar is funny.  Today is Tu B’Av, a dang happy day on the Jewish calendar.  But just a week ago, we were fasting and mourning the destruction of the Temple.  Before that we were mourning for three weeks, not listening to music, not eating meat (during the Nine Days). Oy.  It was rough.

But now we’ve got to switch gears and start being happy.  Start preparing for Elul, when we’re gonna be reconnecting to our true selves.

So, time to throw ourselves into some beautiful Jewish music.  And thank G-d, there’s been a ton of music released since the Three Weeks ended, and I’d love to share some of it with y’all.  Now, unlike my past music post, this collection is a mix of amateurs and pros.  This isn’t about being polished.  This just about people willing to take the risk and put themselves out there to create something beautiful to help elevate the world.

Here is my collection of Jewish music to bounce out of the Three Weeks and into happier times.

1. Shmaryahu – I Love HIM

Shmaryahu, a Jewish convert from Louisville who lives in Australia, has quietly released this beautiful cover of the Beatles song, “And I Love Her”.   I happened to run into it because a friend of mine from Australia who is friends with him shared it.  It’s so beautiful.  And I can’t wait to see more music from this promising artist.  Oh, and you can download it for free on his Facebook page.

2. Uriel Dunn – Man It Feels Good To Be A Hebrew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkiRnoEwO64

My friend Uriel wrote this song a while ago.  It’s a spin on “Damn It Feels To Be A Gangsta”, a favorite of all of us 90’s Baal Teshuvas.  He performed it at an open mic in Crown Heights, and it was a huge hit.  I encouraged him to turn it into a video, and he did just that.  Freaking awesome.  Watch, enjoy.

3. Rocky And The Goldstein – A Dream

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96291411″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

I’ve featured Yerachmiel Goldstein before, but he is now producing music again, and I’m happy to say that he’s made some great progress.  Check out the rest of his releases on his Soundcloud channel.

4. Lev Hamayaan –  קרב יום

I discovered this amazing band after randomly using their image in a post.  People informed me of their work.  This isn’t as recent as the rest here, but I really felt like I should share them with you.  This song in particular is just so beautiful.

5. Sarah Dukes – Star Catcher

Sarah Dukes is a pianist and composer who has created some of the most beautiful compositions I’ve heard in a while.  They’re so sensitive and full of feeling.  I personally love this particular piece, and I think you will too.  Follow Sarah Dukes on her Facebook page for more music.

6. Mikhail Pais – Sing For Hope

I’ve always been a fan of Mikhail, but have never found the right place to include him.  Well, here you go.  Mikhail is an up and coming, extremely talented pianist.  I personally love this particular video because it is intimate and up close.  Unfortunately the video messes up towards the end, but it is still totally beautiful.  Check out more of his stuff on his website.

Ezras Nashim (Women Only)

The following is a few songs with women singing.

7. Esther Freeman – Superhero

Esther Freeman has been blowing up the Jewish lady airwaves with her newest song, Superhero.   I hear it’s awesome.  Give it a listen and encourage her.  I hear she’s got a new one coming out soon.  Subscribe to her YouTube channel to stay updated.

8. Riv Eilfort – My Ultimate Role

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101484355″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Riv Eilfort is another one of the Crown Heights ladies (including Sarah Dukes, Esther Freeman, and Bulletproof Stockings) who is reminding us all that being female and religious doesn’t mean you can’t blow people’s minds with amazing music and art.  Here’s her latest.

9. Joy – Fortress

And finally, here’s a bit of rap sent to me from a lady fan who apparently is also from Crown Heights.  Seriously, do we need any more signs that there is an artistic revolution happening in this neighborhood?!

 

Comments

17 responses to “9 Songs To Get You Excited About Jewish Music Again”

  1. Ploni Avatar
    Ploni

    Thank you! Always looking for new music 🙂 Different style than these, but here’s one I’ve been happy to listen to again since Tisha B’Av finished… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6g76dF2D_w

  2. Sruli Broocker Avatar
    Sruli Broocker

    #9 was my student at the seminary in Pittsburgh last year.

    1. Amy Avatar
      Amy

      Yes she was!! A great student who made the most of every minute! Reb Sruli we need some of your music up here!

  3. Shmuel Avatar
    Shmuel

    HaLev v’HaMa’ayan just released their fourth album a few months ago, with songs composed by Rav Yitzchak Ginsburg. If you can get it it’s worth it (not available in the States).

    1. Elad Nehorai Avatar

      Oy! Someone should tell them to release it on iTunes so us Americans can enjoy it too.

      1. Shmuel Avatar
        Shmuel

        http://www.amazon.com/s?_encoding=UTF8&field-artist=The%20Heart%20%26%20the%20Wellspring&search-alias=music

        Also, check these guys out:
        https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/omek-hadavar/id403758771

        I don’t know if they’re going to put out anything else anymore; their lead singer (Chaim Feigenbaum A”H) passed away after battling an illness…

        Are you familiar with Isaac Bitton?

  4. Slone Avatar
    Slone

    Check out Erev Ravs Klezmer Orchestra, from Olympia, Wa!!! And Nissim (Seattle)….And Eprhyme, (BrookIyn/Olympia, Wa) believe that these artists deserve to be on here too 🙂 I know, a list of Nine requires tough choices!! 🙂 Peace

  5. RabbiDan Bortz Avatar
    RabbiDan Bortz

    Moshe Hendel, Mayanot alum, is great https://www.facebook.com/moshehendel/app_178091127385

    1. Moshe Hendel Avatar
      Moshe Hendel

      Rabbi Dan – Thanks for the adding me to the list!

      Blessings,

      mh
      http://moshehendel.bandcamp.com/

  6. Zvi Hershcovich Avatar
    Zvi Hershcovich

    Women may want to check out Sarah Sokal’s music http://www.sarahsokalmusic.com

  7. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Hi Elad! Thank you for this post and especially for featuring the women! Riv Eilfort and Freidel(#9) although they may be in in Crown Heights at this moment are talented graduates of Tzohar Seminary for Chassidus and the Arts in Pittsburgh. Sara Dukes, I may add is also a graduate of Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh.
    Expect more female talent coming from us and our seminary. We have graduates who are poets, writers, artists, filmmakers, photographers, actors, directors as well as songwriters, singers and musicians! Keep your eyes an ears open for the Tzoharites!

    1. Elad Nehorai Avatar

      Keep me updated!

  8. ChasidaYerushalmit Avatar
    ChasidaYerushalmit

    Go look at עלמא. Google it in Hebrew on Youtube. “Aba Yakar” and “V’im hayinu”. One of my favorite bands.

    1. Shmuel Avatar
      Shmuel

      Alma is really amazing stuff! My favorite is the first song on the album…

  9. penes Avatar
    penes

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDzt6yI3Dw8

    One of my favorite Hebrew Bands!

  10. Sarah Sokal Avatar
    Sarah Sokal

    FACTOR Grant 2013(Canada) Winning song -Ink and Paper-By Sarah Sokal~ Female Jewish SInger-SOngwritter from Montreal, QC,Canada– FACTOR( Foundation Assiting Canadian Artists on recordings/ Heritage Canada/Private RadioBroadcasters Fund)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eXECQdoHRQ

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