The 3rd track on Menschology is a new interpretation of Judaism’s blessing for the study of Torah. The words, Laasok b’divrei Torah are part of that blessing and have the interesting meaning of “to busy oneself with words of Torah.” Many people confuse the word “Laasok” with the more common Hebrew word “Laasot.” The latter means, […]
Oseh Shalom
Oseh Shalom is probably Judaism’s most well-known prayer for peace. “May the One who makes peace up above make peace among us, among Israel, and among all humanity.” One reading of the prayer might suggest that Oseh Shalom is saying that true peace can only come from God. While there may be some deep […]
Adonai S’fatai Tiftach
Psalm 51:15 reads, “Adonai, s’fatai tiftach, u’fi yagid t’hilatecha.” God, open my lips, and my mouth will speak your praise. Many Jews know these words because they are recited at the beginning of the Amidah, one of the centerpieces of Jewish prayer. They act as a kind of gateway that the worshipper passes through […]
Menschology– Liner Notes
Let’s start with the basics. The album is called Menschology. I didn’t make the word up, but it is a made up word. I define it loosely as, “The journey we take to becoming a person of integrity and honor.” It’s Hello, Goodbye & Peace’s 4th album. It’s the 3rd album done in partnership […]
So honored to be on NPR
Last week I had the unique privilege and honor of being interviewed on 90.1 WABE: Atlanta’s NPR station. I want to thank Lois Reitzes for her gracious questions and for shining a light on “Rise Up”, The Davis Academy, and my music more generally. As an avid listener and supporter of NPR there’s really no […]
A fact about music
“Facts” and “Alternative Facts” are very much in the news these days. The conversation is simultaneously fascinating and horrifying. I gave up on the idea of objective facts a long time ago, but seeing American and global politics doing the same and finally being called out for doing so– that’s disconcerting. There are plenty of […]