Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Harmoniyah Mission Statement:

The mission of Harmoniyah (Reconstructionist Music Network) is to nurture, facilitate, and energize the evolving musical culture of Jewish civilization in accordance with the values and principles of Reconstructionism Judaism. Harmoniyah will serve to connect all who are involved in the musical transmission of our religious civilization by providing a central place for philosophical, educational, material, and logistical knowledge to be disseminated and shared by all of its members.

Harmoniyah Steering Committee(L-R, rear) Barry Brian (Or Hadash), Elaine Moise (Kedem), Cantor Rachel Epstein (Adat Shalom), Doris Dyen (RRC, Dor Hadash), Rabbi Shawn Zevit (JRF), (L-R, Front) Barbara Nordstrom-Loeb (Mayim Rabim), Lauren Resnick (Dor Hadash)

Music is flowing in the Reconstructionist movement! Voices raised with kavanah, moving renditions of favorite classics, and brilliant interpretations of liturgy seamlessly intermingle with fresh explorations of the meaning of God, Torah and Israel in their broadest sense.

Musicians Attending the JRF Women's Retreat in Wisconsin in April, 2007
The First Retreat of Harmoniyah—Reconstructionist Music Network will be held November 9-12, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA.

Saturday and Sunday 8pm evening events are open to the general public at a nominal charge- register in advance using the registration same registration link below:

Space is limited: Register Online Now.

Join us for Shabbat services and a unique opportunity to learn with Reconstructionist clergy, lay leaders, song leaders and musicians nationwide:

The Harmoniyah Music Retreat is looking for volunteer presenters to submit proposals for workshops. The application form is attached. Please contact me at szevit@jrf.org with any questions. That's also the address to which you send the completed applications.

Main retreat page.

Shabbat UnpluggedHappy Passover Everyone!

Two new recordings are now available in the resources section of this site. The first is for Hassal Siddur Pesach, the concluding prayer of the Hagaddah. The second is a recording of the Kiddush (prayer sanctifying the beginning of the holiday). Enjoy!

• Hassal Siddur Pesach
• Passover Kiddush

Rabbi Play the video.

Shawn Zevit singing his song, "In the Valley." This song was written initially in 1991 but never recorded until now.

• Contemporary Shalom Aleykhem
  By Rabbi Steve Segar, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
  New interpretation of traditional text sung to welcome the Sabbath.
  
  
• Hassal Siddur Pesach
  By JRF
  Melody for the penultimate prayer in the Passover Haggadah, Hebrew text, transliteration, translation, and mp3 are provided.
  
  
• Joyful, Soulful, Prayer
  By James Greene
  Original music written for Exodus 15:17-18. Introductory text includes Hebrew words, translation, and the author's intention in writing the niggun and his own personal story associated with it. Audio mp3 included.
  
  
• Kiddush for Passover
  By Shabbat Unplugged
  Recording of the kiddush sanctification prayer said at the beginning of major holiday.
  
  
• Lecha Dodi
  By Elaine Moise
  Setting of Lecha Dodi
  
  
• Light and Dark
  By Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton, Rabbi Margot L. Stein
  Words and sheet music for three-part vocal harmony for a Hanukah song about differences between dark and light, good and evil. Music and Lyrics by Margot L. Stein. Arrangement by Elizabeth Bolton.
  
  
• Lulay - Psalm 27
  By Rabbi Margot L. Stein
  A song from the closing verses of Psalm 27. Music and English translation written by Rabbi Margot Stein. Arranged and sung by MIRAJ. Audio file, Hebrew text, transliteration, and English translation are provided.
  
  
• The Omer Song
  By Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael, Juliet I Spitzer, Rabbi Margot L. Stein
  Fast, fun, song about counting the omer. Lyrics and mp3 included.