Contemporary Jewish Music is thriving here.

Last week, I returned from an incredible and incredibly intense Jewish music workshop hosted at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, WI. This annual gathering, sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), is, as described at their webpage is a "unique event, (where) some of the finest Jewish music innovators and composers, including Debbie Friedman, Cantor Jeff Klepper, & Rabbi Dan Freelander, Craig Taubman, Julie Silver, Rabbi Joe Black, Cantor Josee Wolff, Cantor Ellen Dreskin, Merri Lovinger Arian, Cantor Jordan Franzel, Rabbi Lisa Zur, Dan Nichols, Cantor Rosalie Will Boxt, Peter & Ellen Allard, Josh Nelson, Ken Chasen and Danny Maseng have shared their music and their skills".

As a composer of Jewish music, (Project ben David) with a primary focus of integrating Contemporary Jewish music (CJM) into worship, I welcomed the opportunity to meet 250 rabbis, cantors, songleaders, composers and performers interacting and sharing music nonstop for 4 solid days. Everyone left energized, albeit somewhat hoarse.

CJM is young, perhaps only 30 years young, and had its roots in popular songwriters and performers such as Debbie Friedman and Jeff Klepper, among many others. At this workshop, both of these notable performers reacquainted us with their early material, now classics, such as Friedman's "Mi Shebeirach - Prayer for Healing" and Klepper's "Shalom Rav." Well known composer, Doug Cotler has a song entitled "Standing on the Shoulders" which reminds us that each generation builds itself upon the traditions, insights (and music) of those who precede them. This concept of "L'dor VaDor - from generation to generation" was evident among the Jewish musicians and lovers of Jewish music present, which included young camp songleaders, barely 20 years old as well as seasoned cantors who represented nearly a half century of prayer-based music. All stood together, joining voices to reaffirm the familiar and to absorb the leading edge of this music. All learned together to open their vision to new sounds and to sharpen skills in songleading and songwriting.

It is impossible to cite one prayer or song, without slighting a dozen others. New music from Jewish music legends such as Craig Taubman, Peter and Ellen Allard, Debbie Friedman, Jeff Klepper, Julie Silver, Josh Nelson, Doug Cotler, Dan Nichols, Ellen Dreskin, Rosalie Boxt, Ken Chasen, and many others provided 4 days of clear evidence that CJM is maturing and is very alive, healthy and vibrant. The music and arrangements are becoming more complex and more closely mirroring contemporary secular music in song structure. Music production has improved as musicians and performers, turned producers, have one foot in popular music and the other firmly rooted in Judaic tradition and liturgy. Lyrics also, are maturing, leaving behind formulaic translations from the Siddur and becoming more personal and interpretive.

Music from Dan Nichols/E18teen, Beth Schafer, Josh Nelson, Julie Silver, Craig Taubman, Ken Chasen and many others are producing new music that reaches beyond the sanctuary and worship context into mainstream popular/inspirational music that becomes a part of the soundtrack of our lives. It is at home on the bimah at services as well as on the personal playlists of countless iPods.

I left this workshop with the feeling that CJM was alive and well and becoming the spiritual rhythm and backdrop of a new generation of Jews; inviting and welcoming a generation rooted in YouTube and iTunes to find new meaning in returning to our rich liturgy. Jews have long wrested with the challenge of living Judaism in a secular world.

A concern that Jews have faced for generations concerns assimilation and the possibility of diluting our Judaic heritage with increased integration in secular society. In my recent experience with CJM, I see a new model emerging, where familiar rhythms and music from our secular world have turned inward to reinforce our rich Judaic and liturgical traditions. Conversely, lasting and time tested Jewish values have truly become a compass for all of life, 24/7, and not confined to a few hours of temple worship and religious education, apart from our secular world. CJM can be a welcome bridge of familiarity as these concepts are embraced with pride by a new generation of Jews.

I'd like to take a moment and introduce you to a young songwriter/performer, Max Chaiken, from this workshop who is living and breathing this new paradigm. Max's music is based on Jewish liturgy, but Max and his music are one - Max IS his music in all that he does. He shares his music as head songleader at the URJ Camp Harlam in PA during the summer. But his music, and his Judaism runs throughout all aspects of his life. In his Blog he discusses the successes and challenges of integrating Judaism, activism and music, even including a gym playlist which moves from an opening upbeat Modeh Ani (morning prayer) by Dan Nichols, to songs by Guster and Jamiroquai.

I humbly suggest that living a Jewish life means finding a way to integrate all things Jewish with the richness of every aspect of life around us. I personally applaud Max for taking us along on his journey. I also encourage you to listen to his contagious Eliyahu Hanavi, which he shared with us the workshop earlier this month. Enjoy.

Arnie