Six months after October 7, we remember the young people who began that day dancing joyfully to the music of the Nova festival. You can see some of those survivors of the attack in this video. They met with Cantor Schwartz on the beach in Tel Aviv to the sounds of the song “Shmor na Aleinu,” a pr...

As of this weekend, on April 7, the remaining hostages in Gaza will have been held in captivity for six months. Despite the unimaginable deprivation and cruelty of their condition, we hope and pray for their immediate return.

Music and lyrics by Idan Reichel and Avi Ohayon
Arrangement by Oran ...

On Shabbat Zahor, we are ready for Purim, and even the Adon Olam is wearing a costume to celebrate! The Purim story itself is one of troubled times for the Jewish people, and it helps us to recognize that even in the greatest adversity, there must be space for laughter, for taking the joyful mome...

There are plenty of reasons to feel down as discouraging news and images are all around us, yet it doesn’t take much effort to raise someone up or to recognize when someone has lifted us from sadness. A kind word, good deed, mitzvah, or even just being together are some of the ways we can support...

For the Jewish people, memory itself is a constant occupation as we breathe different moments of time into the pages of the prayer book each year. Think of Yom HaShoah, remembering the worst of times with the fervent hope that they do not come again. During the High Holidays, we have the Zichrono...

In an anguished time, we sing of taking delight from keeping Shabbat. Interestingly, the reverse is also true: the rhythm of this musical setting of a joyful prayer is tinged with melancholy. Perhaps that alloy is what makes deep joy more powerful than happiness – the knowledge that the Jewish pe...

Yehonatan Geffen (1947–2023) was an esteemed Israeli man of letters. This past Rosh Hashanah, we offered the setting of his Makom L’d’agah by composer Matti Caspi (b. 1949). We did not know how significant it would be soon after to sing, “At the edge of the sky, and at the verge of the desert, th...

Featuring leading theater stars, the production Shabbat on Broadway was an inclusive experience that blended prayer and inspirational show tunes – the first time a Shabbat service has taken place on the Broadway stage. Produced by Amanda Lipitz and Henry Tisch, with creative and liturgical input ...

Let us pray for peace using these timeless words from the Amidah, sung in this familiar melody. Oseh shalom bimromav hu ya-aseh shalom aleinu, v’al kol Yisrael, v’imru amen – "May the one who creates peace on high bring peace to us and to all Israel. And we say: Amen."

Music: Nurit Hirsh, arr. b...

This week we marked 100 days since 240 women, children, elderly people, and other innocent civilians were brutally abducted from their homes and held in captivity by Hamas, sitting in dark terrorist tunnels under the ground, their condition unknown. Our hearts are with those who have suffered and...

Burt Bacharach (1928–2023) was a star in the firmament of Jewish songwriting that rose over New York through the 20th century, from the Brill Building to Broadway, to the Hit Parade and beyond. As we approach Bacharach’s yahrzeit, his beautiful, wistful setting of the lyrics of his frequent colla...

As we contemplate the turn of the secular year, we have aspirations for peace, and as this song rings out, “You will yet see how good it will be next year.” Wishing all a happy and safe 2024 and a Shabbat Shalom.

Lyrics: Ehud Manor / Music: Nurit Hirsch
Arranged by Oran Eldor
Music Director:...

In solidarity with Israel, and in celebration of Hanukkah, talented friends and faith joined us for a concert to bring our communities together. We hope this program brings you light and strength in these dark times.

Featuring: Rev Adriene Thorne (Riverside Church), Freddy Washington, Cantor Cha...

Debbie Friedman’s popular melody is lovingly offered here by Cantor Schwartz and his daughter, recorded during the 2023 High Holidays in a new arrangement commissioned by the PAS Music Center. Barukh atah Adonai ohev amo Yisrael – "Praised are you Adonai who loves the people Israel."

Music: Debb...

“We pray for healing of all people.
We pray for healing of the land.
And peace for every race and nation,
Everyone who needs a helping hand.”

Music by Cantor Leon Sher, Recorded live on the High Holidays, 2023
Arranged by Jason Weisinger
Music Director: David Enlow
Video: Tami Shaham
AV: Oscar A...

When Cantor Schwartz visited Ichilov Hospital on October 26, it wasn’t only to visit patients and staff, it was also personal – his sister, Dr. Renana Eitan, is head of Psychiatry at the hospital. The doctor, also a pianist, and our cantor sought to give everyone present a few moments of musical ...

When Cantor Schwartz visited Israel, he noticed people rallying around what has become the watchword of the moment – Yahad N’natz’ah – “Together we will make it through.” Am Yisrael Chai.

Piano: Raymond Goldstein
Video: Tami Shaham, Alexander Kotov

Since learning of the many kidnappings on October 7, amid images of families weeping for those taken captive, we join those families in their sorrow and hope for the hostages’ safe return. This week, Cantor Schwartz visited the Kotel, sometimes called the “Wall of Tears,” to try to bring comfort ...

At Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, Cantor Schwartz paid a surprise visit to a brave IDF soldier who was wounded in a heroic battle on the first day of the war. IDF Chief Cantor Shai Avramson asked Cantor Schwartz to join the visit to the soldier, who enjoys listening to PAS Music online.

We wis...

With Israel heavy in our hearts, we are still finding solace of last week's Kabbalat Shabbat, which included interfaith solidarity and riveting words from Rabbi Cosgrove and Mayor Eric Adams. We hope this song, performed during that service, reminds you that you are not alone and to find comfort ...

Looking to the land of Israel, our hearts are broken. When we pray for Israel, let us turn to the words of our tradition, Sh’ma Yisrael, at the heart of this prayerful song.

Composer/Lyrics: Shmuel Elbaz/Yossi Gispan
Arranger: Oran Eldor
Music Director: David Enlow
AV: Oscar Acevedo, Terrell Sim...

As we approach Sukkot, a holiday that is so tightly connected to the Promised Land, we’d like to share our new album, Israel: 75 Years of Music.

Celebrating the rich fabric of the Israeli people and their music, this album features beloved songs and new compositions. Among the inter-generational...

Wishing you a meaningful Yom Kippur, and may your prayers be heard! To those who will not be coming to PAS, we hope you will join us from wherever you may be for Yom Kippur services on our world-class livestream. G’mar hatimah tovah!

Music by Max Helfman (1901–1963), arr. Oran Eldor for Park Ave...

The prayers of the High Holidays are among the great traditions that we pass from our parents and grandparents to our children. Last year, Cantor Schwartz found particular meaning in sharing the story of his grandfather, Cantor Yehuda Klein, including never-before-heard audio, and then inviting h...