Jewish Music Commission Los Angeles |

Breaking News

Souls on Fire Concert

Sunday, January 22, 2012 - 3:00pm

Location:

Valley Beth Shalom 15739 Ventura Boulevard Encino, CA

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

This world-class ensemble of musicians – each renowned in their own right - will combine the traditional sounds from the Golden Age of Spain with original compositions melding all three musical styles with virtuosic improvisation.

Emotive vocals, flamenco dance and guitar, world-beat percussion and evocative violin and bass make this show a must see!

Shabbat Shira Music Available Online!

Richard Braun | Wed, June 22, 2011

We are very excited to be able to share the wonderful music created by our first cohort of Helfman fellows.

Helfman Institute: Reflections After the First Year

Phil Baron | Wed, July 20, 2011

As the second year of the Max Helfman Institute for New Jewish Music gets under way, we have some exciting opportunities.

The New Jewish Community Children’s Choir Resumes

Richard Braun | Fri, January 27, 2012

The Big Tent Opens for Tu B'Shvat

Sunday, January 29, 2012 - 11:00am

Location:

Shalom Institute, Malibu

The Big Tent opens again for the 15th Annual Tu B'Shvat Nature Fest.

A Preview of the 2011 - 2012 Season

Richard Braun | Mon, September 26, 2011

Here is a preview of the events already scheduled for the 2011 – 2012 Season

Jewish Children's Community Choir Is Born

Sunday, October 2, 2011 - 2:00pm

Location:

Milken Community High School Middle School Campus

Calling all enthusiastic singers ages eight to twelve - let's get together and sing some Jewish music! The new Jewish Community Children's Choir, a program of the Schulweis Institute, begins on October 2nd!

Musings from the Bay by Rita Glassman

Rita Glassman | Sun, January 9, 2011

It seems to me that composing and praying are very similar. There is an individual component, as well as a collective one. Our focus and "kavanah" (intent) must be very deep and sincere whether in a moment of inspiration or not.

Even though the prayers are set before us as are the musical scales, rhythms, keys, we must find a way to make them new, to give them life, breath and meaning. It's a matter of entering the unknown with brazen courage, faith and commitment.

Musings on Being a Helfman Fellow

Michael Gill | Thu, January 6, 2011

I grew up hearing stories about Max Helfman and enjoying his memorable melodies. My family still sings his candle blessing melody and beautiful Havdalah service. To be a part of a twenty-first century rededication to the creation of Jewish music, in Max Helfman’s memory, is a truly tremendous honor.

Being a composer, or anything that requires creation for that matter, is a true test of one's ability to allow the outside world reach the inner most depths of your soul. In our case, being composers, we shut the world out for a period of time and reach inside to put on paper the notes that we feel best represents the mood, emotion or thought that we're after.

Myriad of Ways to Express and Be Thankful

Bernardo Feldman | Thu, December 9, 2010

To me, working with the diverse and talented group of composers that comprise the Max Helfman Institute has been a blessing. I’ve found myself working and re-working a variety of musical solutions to the setting of a short text (Psalm 19:14).

In the process, I’m learning that there is a difference between writing a piece for an audience that comes to a concert to listen, and a composition meant for a congregation that will participate in a spiritual service.