Every festival has its heartbeat — and this one pulses through song. From rock-infused Jewish anthems to liturgical meditations, the artists behind the songs featured in our Appreciation Video are at the forefront of what’s sometimes called contemporary Jewish music — where tradition and modern life converse in cadence and lyric.
Alan Goodis – Stand Up
Alan Goodis is a Jewish musician who’s built his craft around connection. Rooted in folk and community songleading, he tours across North America inspiring young and old alike through melody and message. Known for forging deep communal bonds through music, Goodis channels both ancient nigunim and fresh songcraft into his work. His piece Stand Up echoes that spirit — an invitation to rise, sing, and stand in solidarity. https://www.alangoodis.com/
Aly Halpert – Ashrei
From Philadelphia, PA, Aly Halpert writes music that feels like sunrise after a long night. A Jewish artist steeped in community song and collective gatherings, Halpert’s work blends piano, guitar, and heartfelt vocals to create space for awe, vulnerability, and hope. Ashrei — which lifts up the traditional Hebrew text — becomes a living bridge between prayer and present-day reflection. https://www.alyhalpert.com/
Dan Nichols – My Heart is in the East
A cornerstone of Jewish music for decades, Dan Nichols fuses rock sensibility with liturgical soul. Born in Indiana and performing across the continent, Nichols has written dozens of songs that appear in camps, sanctuaries, and celebrations. His melody My Heart is in the East is among those that feel like a musical prayer — a yearning toward home, spirit, and a people’s journey. https://www.dannicholsmusic.com
Jacob Spike Kraus – From Strength to Strength
Jacob “Spike” Kraus brings a playful and soulful energy to Jewish song. Known both for performing and for his work as an educator and curator of Jewish music worldwide, his voice and compositions are favorites in camps and communities. His music is rooted in tradition yet looks forward, and his From Strength to Strength feels exactly like that: an anthem of resilience, community, and ongoing journey. https://www.jacobspikekraus.com/
Chava Mirel – The Queen
Chava Mirel is an artist whose music frequently intersects with interfaith, communal, and spiritual gatherings. Though her public bio is less documented than some, her presence in contemporary Jewish song circles — and her inclusion in community collections like Chazak V’ematz — marks her as a voice of empowerment and reflection. The Queen sits comfortably among songs that celebrate dignity, strength, and divine feminine energy within Jewish wisdom. https://www.chavamirel.com/
Rick Recht – The Hope
If Jewish rock had rock stars, Rick Recht would be one of them. A pioneer of contemporary Jewish rock music, Recht has spent decades leading concerts, camps, and communities with his guitar and voice. Founder of Songleader Boot Camp and Jewish Rock Radio, his work blends rock-driven energy with deep communal resonance. The Hope, one of his signature songs, carries his trademark blend of uplifting sound and soul, inspiring generations of young Jewish singers and leaders. https://www.rickrecht.com/
Doug Passon – No Tomorrow
Doug Passon is a uniquely creative spirit: a lawyer, filmmaker, and songwriter whose piece No Tomorrow is poetic and philosophical. Originally appearing on the soundtrack of Road to Eden, his documentary about Sukkot in the deep south, it’s a meditation on life’s fragility and the imperative to live fully, the song gains added meaning in its cinematic context. This song captures that universal tension between uncertainty and immediacy — reminding us that our stories, much like film, are best lived boldly. http://www.dougpassonmusic.com
Final Note: Soundtracks of Jewish Life
The music we’ve chosen this year isn’t just background — it’s narrative. These songs and the artists behind them are part of a living tradition that bridges prayer and art, memory and imagination. Whether in a spirited chorus around a campfire or a quiet moment in a darkened theater, their melodies invite us into connection — to ourselves, our history, our communities, and each other.