How should we be thankful in times of stress and public discord? Rather than just being thankful for what we have, we might consider being thankful for the gift of hope for the future, to be grateful in advance for things that might be in the future. Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a Happy Thank...

“Way up above the towers The dove spreads her wings, gliding afar, her eyes longing.

High above, like the tongues of bells At daybreak she coos, and at nightfall is silent, her wings are light.

Onward, onward, above the water she hovers, still waiting. Way up above the Hills of Gilboa, above th...

The lyricist Natan Yonathan builds on opening words from the Medieval Sephardic poet Shmuel ibn Naghrilla as he marks the passing of months: “Av has died, Elul has died, and heat has died, Tishrei also has come to die with them”, and Tzvika Pik provides music that is in turn mournful and energeti...

As we arrive to the Jewish calendar anniversary of the October 7 attacks, the lyrics of this song are especially poignant – “There is a place far across the sea, there is white sand, a warm home . . .” This Israeli classic from the 1960s has taken on new meaning for the many who have made trips t...

Written in response to the events of October 7th, this song then appeared in the Eurovision contest as “Hurricane.” Cantor Schwartz sings the original lyrics as he does on our album, Am Yisrael Chai: An October 7th Commemorative Album, now available on our site and wherever you stream music.

Cre...

In the spirit of renewed tradition, here is a new interpretation of Kol Nidrei. It blends the ancient melodic motifs with contemporary harmonies and orchestration, offering a modern reflection of this timeless prayer. May you be sealed in the Book of Life for a healthy and peaceful year.

To hea...

How do you measure a year? In "Seasons of Love" (Rent), it's measured through love, and that's exactly what we aimed to bring to life.

We’re beyond grateful for the incredible Jewish Broadway stars who joined Cantor Schwartz at Park Avenue Synagogue to surprise our community with a powerful mom...

Today, we solemnly observe the anniversary of the October 7th attacks. Our new album, Am Yisrael Chai: An October 7th Commemorative Album, ends with Hatikvah, “The Hope,” sung by Cantor Schwartz with the Jerusalem Symphony. Od lo avda tikvateinu – “our hope is not lost.”

You can stream and downl...

Am Yisrael Chai: An October 7th Commemorative Album will be released soon, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

In an effort to provide both comfort and a call to action, Cantor Schwartz participated in the Israeli Nusach America music festival in Tel Aviv, where he was reunited with Shlomo, ...

“As a shepherd examines the flock, making each sheep pass under the staff . . .” The piyyut (liturgical poem) Unetaneh Tokef, from which this song takes its lyrics, is central to the High Holidays, with its imagery of being counted with the desire to be inscribed in the Book of Life. As we approa...

“Bearers of tears, bring our tears before the Ruler who tends to those in tears.” When Cantor Schwartz and his daughter sing these words, we recall that every parent has held a child in tears. Children can also hold their parents in tears, and we can shed them for each other, as the text speaks a...

These days we have much to feel sorry for. The Selihot service, a communal expression of sorrow and regret, begins on Rosh Hodesh Elul for some communities. May this Sephardic setting, sung by Cantor Schwartz and his sons, prepare us to acknowledge where we have fallen short, individually and in ...

We find ourselves at Labor Day and Rosh Hodesh Elul. After a summer of rest (or hopefully periods of it!), we herald the High Holidays, return to sanctuary services, and many adults resume work and children go back to school. Last Rosh Hashanah, Cantor Schwartz and Cantor Davis sang this brand-ne...

This year, the cantors and music department have had a special focus on Israel, trying to instill hope in the wider Jewish community. As the conflict continues and we still await the release of all hostages, our annual album this year will be Am Yisrael Chai: An October 7th Commemorative Album, f...

What’s on your summer playlist? With Israel on our minds, we hope you find comfort and hope in the rich fabric of Israeli music. Our album Israel: 75 Years of Music features beloved Israeli songs in addition to new compositions as Israeli-born Cantor Schwartz is joined by inter-generational Ameri...

Let us take a moment and think about the things we are grateful for; the simplest things are often the greatest sources of joy. This song names some of these: the morning light, bread on the table, talents, songs, and the gift of life for another day. As we try to not take these things for grante...

This setting of the psalm “Song of Ascents” is presented in honor of those who keep us and Israel safe.

Music: Josef Karduner
Music Director: David Enlow
Special thanks to Eli Grunfeld
Video: Tami Shaham with help by Alexander Kotov
Audio: Oli Jung & Oscar Acevedo

The world of film and theatre music lost a great light recently when the songwriter Richard M. Sherman died. From Mary Poppins to The Jungle Book, music written by Sherman and his brother, Robert, has brought joy to millions over many decades. The Sherman Brothers were born to a father of Russian...

Take a moment for whimsy – with its picturesque lyrics and Moroccan rhythm, we hope this song brings you a little joyful summer energy.

This song, from our album Israel: 75 Years of Music, is available wherever you stream and download your music.

Moroccan folk melody, lyrics by Kobi Oz
Arrange...

For some in Israel, the “little gifts” spoken of in this song have been taken away, for a time, or forever. For those not directly affected by months of war, perhaps there is a new appreciation for thousands of little things in every day that we might take for granted. “Breathing the Friday air ....

In honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut, enjoy this new setting of the prayer for Israel. This upbeat adaptation expresses hope for Israel’s future, one we pray for fervently. We dedicate this dance-style song to the victims, and with hope for the hostages, of the Nova Music Festival. Am Yisrael Chai.

Music,...

This Mother’s Day, we have reimagined Billy Joel’s classic tribute to a “Woman of Valor.” We hope that mothers and children of all ages enjoy this collaboration with the celebrated a cappella group Six13 in praise of all their virtues we admire!

Starring:
Cantor Arielle Reisner
Rabbi Lori Ko...

In the aftermath of October 7, celebrated Israeli artist Hanan Ben Ari wrote this song. In his dedication to the song, he writes, “This song is dedicated to my country. Not the one that was here a week ago, the one we will rebuild when all this is over.” As we look to Yom HaShoah, the reasons why...

Even in anguished times, every Jewish holiday is made more special by music. We hope you enjoy the premiere of this duet, which took place on April 20, 2024, at Park Avenue Synagogue.

Commissioned by the PAS Music Center, this song was recently written by Julie Benko and Jason Yeager. It is bas...