Confessions of a Song Leader

By Shira Berkowitz
University of Missouri-Columbia

Jewish music has been one of the most influential and important aspects of my Jewish identity for as long as I can remember. Every week since I was young, I’ve found myself immersed in the tradition of singing z’mirot around the Shabbat table with many friends and family. I remember some of my first Shabbatot in preschool singing about things we like about Shabbat, then in later years standing with my arms around friends at summer camp or lying on the floor singing at the top of our lungs, which progressed into jumping around the room in circles of friends singing nigunim (wordless melodies) at USY conventions, followed by hours of sitting at the Shabbat table in my college years singing every song we can think of. One of my fondest memories of studying abroad in Florence this past semester was singing z’mirot around the Shabbat table at the local Chabad House and listening to every accent imaginable coming together to sing in Hebrew. Jewish music unites our entire community.

Jewish music does not hold only a religious context, though. For me, another part of my Jewish identity is song leading. I have song led in many different settings and at many different functions and every place has had very special and unique ways of singing together. I am certain that song sessions create community. Wherever I seem to go, it always ends up that Jewish music becomes a connection tool. I have found myself screaming Jewish songs down the streets of Washington, D.C.; Columbia, Missouri; throughout Israel; and through the streets of Florence. It seems to always bring about good memories and make new ones. There is even a Jewish music presence in popular culture. While it may have started off in a religious context, it has certainly progressed as life styles have changed. For me, the Moshav Band is right up there on my list with Ben Folds and Hadag Nachash. Jewish music has taken a great twist to enter pop culture and to keep the ideas of Jewish religion intertwined with the sounds of the 21st century. Our religion is so much about the music, and it always will be.

[Posted 11/09/07]