Unifying Power

By Shoshi Rosenbaum
JTS / Barnard

Jewish music plays a primary role in the development of my Jewish identity. As a young child, I remember singing along with my Paul Zim tapes in preparation for the Jewish holidays. Now, I find that the Hebrew words of the prayers, when set to emotionally inspiring musical motifs, have the potential to acquire enhanced meaning in the most profound ways—ways which I never imagined. I have acquired my intense passion for Jewish music through my involvement in Jewish singing groups, and this process has been meaningful and influential beyond my decision to study music in college; it has reached far beyond my general appreciation for Jewish music as well. As cliché as it may sound, I truly believe that through music, it is possible to change the future of the Jewish people for the better.

Music is a successful industry because people relate to it—at the very least—on a level of enjoyment. I think that Jewish music has the unique power to reach beyond the music itself. It has the ability to unite the performers with the listeners on a strikingly deep level. It fosters lifelong connections between the performers; it speaks directly to all Jews who encounter it on conscious and unconscious levels. Jewish music urges all of us to reflect on what it means to be Jewish, for ourselves, within the context of our Jewish communities, within the greater context of the Jewish world, and beyond.

My experiences of singing in Jewish groups have enabled me to interact and learn to cooperate with Jews from varying backgrounds with different perspectives. When melody and rhythm—the foundations of music theory—are varied, harmony emerges. Harmonies experienced in Jewish music are only possible due to Jewish diversity. It is absolutely beautiful that two people can sing the same words in harmony, especially when those identical words have separate meanings and implications for each member of the choir.

Music "moves" due to the musical principles of tension and resolution and as Jewish music "moves," it tells the multi-faceted story of our people while simultaneously creating space for infinite perspectives. In this space, there is enough room for every Jew in the world; each Jew belongs. Because music is an art form, Jewish music is dependent on the type of control that we, as Jews, exert over the chaos of our own individual and communal lives. If any one person sings slightly too loudly or softly, too slowly or quickly, the group can lack a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing overall sound.

Jewish singing groups are the most successful setting I have experienced where diversity is a core principle of a Jewish community. For this reason, I have chosen to devote a significant portion of my life to the world of Jewish music.

Shoshi Rosenbaum is a senior at Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is studying music, Talmud, and religion. She is a founder and the outgoing musical director of S'madar, the Jewish women's a cappella group at Columbia/Barnard/JTS, and she sings with the Zamir Chorale.

[Posted 3/25/09]