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

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...

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...

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 ...

“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...

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

“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...

Somewhere between the grand hopes for being inscribed in the Book of Life expressed on the High Holidays and daily prayers, this prayer, welcoming a new month, also has its own expression of hopes for life, joy, blessings, and physical vitality. Here is a vintage setting by Israel Alter (1901–197...

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...

Prayer is universal. It transcends language, culture, and creed, uniting us in our deepest hopes and aspirations. This rendition of "The Prayer" blends its original message with the Hebrew translation by Rabbi Moshe Pomerantz z”l (1935–2024).

We honor the memory of Rabbi Pomerantz, the late fa...

This holiday season, the Wicked movie is captivating audiences and capturing the popular imagination. Many social commentators have noted the Wicked story mirrors the Jewish experience. Written by Jewish authors, the story features themes of discrimination, resilience and standing up for what is ...

On Hanukkah, and in life’s darker moments, we turn to light to remember and to hope. The flames we kindle bring back memories of Hanukkah celebrations and cherished days gone by, both bitter and sweet. As the song expresses, “Light rises in the morning . . . do you remember? Yes, I remember. And ...

On the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, let’s pause and reflect. In the Yiddish words of this song, “Mend the torn pieces of my heart, and grant me a little relief.”

In many corners of the world today, hearts are torn. We may find common ground in praying for relief; let us als...

If Debbie Friedman z”l was a modern-day Miriam, with prophetic singing and leadership of Jewish music, then it is fitting to celebrate one of her most famous compositions as we approach Shabbat Shirah, marking the birth of the Song of the Sea.

In Psalm 150, all kinds of instruments are being ...

The L’kha Dodi prayer is central to Kabbalat Shabbat. For this reason, we have commissioned several settings of the prayer to new melodies. Featuring Cantor Kidron in duet with Cantor Schwartz, this dancing melody by Oran Eldor is filled with youthful joy in welcoming the Sabbath.

Featuring Cant...

This setting for springtime by David Nowakowsky (1848–1921), part of the Song of Songs, is all about arrivals, expectation, and allegories of love. This passage is read during Passover, which we will celebrate during the upcoming month of Nisan. Nowakowsky flourished with other Jewish musical gre...

In 2022, Cantor Jacqueline Rafii was commissioned by Cantor Schwartz to compose a new melody for “V'hi Sheamdah.” It took the form of a lullaby for her infant daughter, a promise of strength, hope, and resilience. Since October 7, it has become an anthem dedicated to all the hostages, a reminder ...

The Magen Avot prayer speaks of awe, rest, Shabbat, peace, and remembering creation. Seeking a summary of keeping Shabbat, it’s hard to think of a better one! As we keep Shabbat in the midst of Passover, this classic style of Hazzanut singing evokes the world of Jewish music and tradition like no...

At the 2015 Multireligious Meeting for Peace, Pope Francis and other religious leaders, including Rabbi Cosgrove, remembered those who perished on 9/11 and prayed for peace. Cantor Schwartz closed the ceremony with Oseh Shalom. May this song bring comfort to those mourning his loss.