"This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, and more devotedly than ever before."
~ Leonard Bernstein

While music may not eradicate the challenges of war or the poison of antisemitism, it can lift our spirits, deepen solidarity within our community, and foster a profound connection to the sacred within all of us. This is why we are particularly grateful to our music-minded leadership for crafting a number of special musical experiences - in addition to Erev Shabbat services and holiday celebrations - where together we can share in the healing power of music.

Sunday, November 12, members of the TJ staff, along with guests from the extended community, will lead us through some of our favorite melodies in Judea Sings Disney. Whether it’s Belle reminding us that we are all OK just as we are, Ariel’s message that our most powerful tool is our voice, or Olaf’s motto to love one another in spite of, and because of, our differences - the songs of Disney, delivered by familiar, loving friends, will be a salve for your family, a joy for your children, and a much needed respite from the difficulties of the world outside. Click here to learn more & register. 

While familiar music can give us comfort, new music can inspire. Friday and Saturday, January 19 & 20, we'll welcome Michael Ochs - a multi-platinum, award-winning songwriter and leading composer of Jewish music for our Shabbat Shirah, Artist-in-Residence weekend. On Friday, January 19, Michael will debut a new song commissioned in partnership with Rabbi Cantor Wissot as part of the Erev Shabbat Shirah service, which will also feature our choir, CITs, and wonderful in-house musical accompanists. On that Saturday, January 20, you’re invited to a concert entitled "Music to Repair the World," where we’ll bring together the melodic sparks of creation scattered throughout sacred and secular music from eclectic genres for some tikkun olam. 

Looking even farther ahead, the TJ Music Program promises another amazing Judea Bowl summer concert series, featuring "When We Sing, We Pray Twice: the CITs in Recital", the "ROLLING STEINS roll into Temple Judea", and "Kol Isha: Women's Wisdom" with the women cantors of Los Angeles. 

Right now, the world feels pretty scary. As we continue to reach for uplifting moments and sacred connection, let's embrace some everyday magic, and remind ourselves of one of life’s simplest pleasures and most basic of Jewish traditions - that when we lift our voices in song, we unlock the door to Divine connection.