Joy & Healing

Praise – Psalms and Piyyutim

A setting of Mi Chamocha by Lorenzo Valensi (c) 2015.
Performed by members of the Ner Shalom Good Shabbos Band. 
Guitar: Lorenzo Valensi. Vocals: Irwin Keller. Bass: Lynn Keller. Flute: Sheridan Gold.

מִי כָמֹכָה בָּאֵלִים יְיָ,  מִי כָּמֹכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ,  נוֹרָא תְהִִילֹּת,עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא: 
מַלְכוּתְךָ רָאוּ בָנֶיךָ, בּוֹקֵעַ יָם 
לִפְנֵי משֶׁה וּמִרְיַם, 
זֶה אֵלִי עָנוּ וְאָמְרוּ: יְיָ  יִמְלֹךְ לְעוֹלֶָם וָעֶד.

Mi khamokha ba'eylim Adonai.  Mi kamokha ne'dar bakodesh.  Nora t'hilot oseh fele.
Malkhut'kha ra'u vaneykha, bokea yam  Lifney Moshe u-Miryam.
Zeh Eli anu v'amru: Adonai yimlokh l'olam va'ed.

Who is like You Adonai? Mighty in holiness, doer of wonders? Your children saw your sovereignty when you split the Sea before Moshe and Miriam.
This is my God, they said. Adonai will reign forever.

Mi Chamocha (Valensi)

Within Me

A partially improvisational Mi Chamocha loosely riffing off Song of the Sea trope. Led by Rabbi Irwin Keller, with singers Jill Rose and Sharon Ziff, Sheridan Gold on flute and Lynn Keller on bass. Sound engineering by Roey Abastado. Live at Congregation Ner Shalom of Cotati (California), November 19, 2021.

Mi Khamokha – Song of the Sea

A mashup of "Banu Choshech" by Sarah Levi Tanai and Emanuel Amiran with "Light is Returning" by Charlie Murphy. The Banu Choshech lyrics have been updated to honor the dark alongside the light. Hats off to Noah Aronson and Banot for their medley of these two songs. This mashup form was created by Rachel Summer Claire Friedman. Performed by Rachel Friedman and Irwin Keller.

Banu Choshekh + Light is Returning

A mystical prayer whose initials spell a 42-letter name of God. This gorgeous setting is by Ovadia Hamama. Because this setting only came to our attention after the beginning of the pandemic, our Ner Shalom Band has never been able to offer it to the congregation live. So here, two years down the road, we've finally recorded it for our community.

Recording, Engineering, Mixing and Mastering: Suzanne Shanbaum
Vocals and Keyboards: Rabbi Irwin Keller
Guitars: Suzanne Shanbaum
Flute: Sheridan Gold
Bass: Lynn Keller

Ana B'Khoach

An improvisational chant of Psalm 23 in Hebrew and English. English is Norman Fischer's Zen translation. The chant briefly samples Rabbi Shefa Gold's Kosi Revayah chant. Recorded November 2018 at Congregation Ner Shalom, Cotati, CA.

IRWIN KELLER's Album

Psalm 23 – American Chant

Miranda Rondeau's gorgeous song, "You Are . . . Surrounded by the Light" has become a staple in our community for every possible lifecycle event and every moment in which extra support is needed. Here it is sung in Jerusalem on May 14, 2023 by members of the synagogue who were completing a 10-day journey in Israel and Palestine; being sung especially for one young, radiant member of our community for whom some extra light and expanded divine protection would be good around now.

Words:
Love surrounds you
Peace surrounds you
Angels surround you
Everyday, all day long,
Morning, noon, and night
You are surrounded by the light.

You are surrounded by the light.
The light of God,
The light of peace,
The light of love.

Surrounded By The Light

A chant to pray for peace and to invoke calm. Written by Rabbi Irwin Keller in the midst of the anguish, October 8, 2023.

Shalom Chant

Rabbi Shefa Gold's beautiful chant "My Protection" performed by Chantleader Atzilah Solot, with backup from Rabbi Irwin Keller. An opportunity to hold oneself in a protective field.

As Rabbi Shefa translates it:

Magini al Elohim
Moshia yishrei lev.

My protection is all about the God-field;
that’s what saves the Upright Heart. (Psalm 7:11)

Magini – My Protection

Ashira Ladonai
(Psalm 104:33; setting by Reb Irwin Keller)
אָשִׁירָה לַיְיָ בְּחַיָּי אֲזַמְּרָה לֵאלֹהַי בְּעוֹדִי
Ashirah Ladonai b'chayai; azamrah Lelohai b'odi.
I sing to Adonai with my life and make music to the Divine with my very existence. 

Vocals: Irwin Keller and AnneMarie Goslow
Guitar: Suzanne Shanbaum
Bass: Lynn Keller
Mixed by Suzanne Shanbaum

@2019 Irwin Keller

Ashira Ladonai (Keller)

El na r'fa na lah.

A tradition healing chant, drawing its text from Numbers 12:13.

Vocals: Reb Irwin Keller
Guitars & Other Instruments: Suzanne Shanbaum
Mixed by Suzanne Shanbaum

Suzanne Shanbaum's Album

El Na – Healing Chant

A vision of the day when we can announce that peace has finally arrived. From Isaiah 52:7; Setting by Rabbi Shefa Gold. Find more of Rabbi Shefa's work at www.rabbishefagold.com

מַה-נָּאווּ עַל-הֶהָרִים רַגְלֵי מְבַשֵּׂר מַשְׁמִיעַ שָׁלוֹם
Mah-navu al heharim 
ragley m’vaser mashmia shalom.

How lovely are our footsteps on the mountain. 
We are messengers; we are heralds of peace.

Vocals: Atzilah Solot and Irwin Keller
Shruti: Atzilah Solot
Guitar: Suzanne Shanbaum
Mixed by Irwin Keller

Heralds Of Peace (Gold)

A chant for moving through obstacles and continuing onward. Especially appropriate to accompany the journey of counting the Omer. Text is Isaiah 62:10. Setting by Rabbi Shefa Gold. Find more of her work at www.rabbishefagold.com.

 עִבְרוּ עִבְרוּ בַּשְּׁעָרִים פַּנּוּ דֶּרֶךְ הָעָם
Ivru, ivru bash’arim. Panu derech ha’am.

Go through, go through the gates!
Clear the way of the people!

Vocals: Atzilah Solot and Irwin Keller
Guitar and Bells: Suzanne Shanbaum
Shruti: Atzilah Solot
Mixing: Suzanne Shanbaum

Breakthrough: Ivru Ivru (Gold)

A favorite niggun at Ner Shalom, of unknown origin. We've heard other communities using it with liturgy. One person suggested it originates in the Bostoner Chasidic Community. Do you know where it comes from? Let us know!

Vocals: Reb Irwin Keller, Susie Stonefield Miller, Lorenzo Valensi, Annemarie Goslow, Sophie Zwicker, Emilia Zwicker
Guitar: Lorenzo Valensi, Suzanne Shanbaum
Flute: Sheridan Gold
Bass: Lynn Keller
Mixing: Irwin Keller

Niggun

This is a niggun Reb Irwin learned from Cantor Jonathan Commisar. There is a rumor it might be called "The Silent Niggun" and a rumor it is by Twersky. Both currently unsubstantiated. But write to us and let us know what you know!

Vocals: Irwin Keller, Susie Stonefield Miller, Lorenzo Valensi, Annemarie Goslow, Emilia Zwicker
Guitars: Suzanne Shanbaum, Lorenzo Valensi
Bass: Lynn Keller
Flutes: Sheridan Gold
Mixed by Reb Irwin Keller

Silent Niggun (Twersky Waltz)

The Ner Shalom Good Shabbos Band performs (assembled remotely) Joey Weisenberg's beautiful setting of Psalm 118:5, Min Hametzar. Find more of Joey's work and music at www.risingsong.org.

Min Hametzar
מִן־הַמֵּצַר קָרָאתִי יָּהּ עָנָנִי בַמֶּרְחָב יָהּ
Min hametzar karati Yah anani vamerchav Yah.
From the Narrow place I called out Yah!
who answered me with the Expanse of Yah.

Vocals: Susie Stonefied Miller and Reb Irwin Keller
Guitars: Suzanne Shanbaum and Irwin Keller
Flute: Sheridan Gold
Bass: Lynn Keller
Mixed by Suzanne Shanbaum

Min Hametzar (Weisenberg)

The Ner Shalom Good Shabbos Band performs (assembled remotely) the Shabbat hymn "Shalom Aleichem," welcoming the ministering angels. This beautiful setting is by Daphna Rosenberg of Nava Tehila. Find more Nava Tehila music at www.navatehila.org.

Vocals: Susie Stonefield Miller and Reb Irwin Keller
Guitars: Suzanne Shanbaum and Lorenzo Valensi
Bass: Lynn Keller
Harmonica: Suzanne Shanbaum
Flute: Sheridan Gold
Mixed by Irwin Keller

Shalom Aleichem (Rosenberg)

This is a sweet setting of some verses from Psalm 118, written by Feliza Zohar (www.orandfelizamusic.com). We used this a lot for High Holy Days a couple years ago and people were up in the aisles dancing. We lay the words differently from the original, making it easier for our largely non-Hebrew speaking crowd to manage. And mashing it up with some Eurythmics was just to surprise and delight our community for a Zoom Shabbat in quarantine.

Recorded in isolation during Shelter-in-Place
Vocals: Reb Irwin Keller, Annemarie Goslow, Susie Stonefield Miller
Guitars: Suzanne Shanbaum
Flute: Sheridan Gold
Bass: Lynn Keller
Mixed by Irwin Keller

Pitchu Li - Mashup (Zohar/Eurythmics)

Members of Ner Shalom's Good Shabbos Band and special guest Hazan Diana Brewer offer this Turkish setting of a mystical piyyut (prayer-poem) by Solomon ibn Gabirol (Spain, 1021-1070). Recorded in isolation, June 2020.

Vocals: Reb Irwin Keller, featuring Hazan Diana Brewer
Guitars and Percussion: Suzanne Shanbaum
Bass: Lynn Keller
Mixed by Suzanne Shanbaum

Kol b'ruey ma'lah u-matah
     Y'idun yagidun kulam k'echad
     Adonai echad ush'mo echad.

Sh'loshim ushtayim n'tivot sh'vilach
L'chol mevin sodam yisapru god'lach
Mehem yakirun ki hakol shelach
V'atah ha'El hamelech ham'yuchad.

L'vavot b'choshvam olam banuy
Yim'tz'u chol yesh bilt'cha shanuy
B'mispar b'mishkal hakol manuy
Kulam nitnu me-Ro'eh echad.

Merosh v'ad sof yesh l'cha siman
Tzafon vayam v'kedem v'teyman
Shachak v'tevel l'cha ed ne'eman
Mizeh echad u-mizeh echad.

All the Beings of heaven and earth testify as one: Adonai is One, and Your name is One! Your 32 hidden paths reveal Your greatness to those who understand, and who see that all is Yours and that You are the only One. Heaven and Earth bear witness to You. All comes from You and without You all would be cease to be. So every creature gives You honor: From beginning to end, You are our single Source.

Kol Beruei Malah u-Matah

יְיָ עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן יְיָ יְבָרֵךְ אֶת־עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם

Adonai oz l'amo yiten
Adonai y'varech et amo vashalom.

God, give strength to your people and bless us with peace.

(Psalm 29:11; Setting: Daphna Rosenberg & Yoel Sykes of Nava Tehila)

Vocals: Doron Hovav, Susie Stonefield Miller, Sheridan Gold, Irwin Keller
Flute: Sheridan Gold
Guitar: Lorenzo Valensi
Bass: Lynn Keller
Engineering: Irwin Keller

With ongoing gratitude to the beautiful and creative souls of the Nava Tehila community.

Healing Prayer: Adonai Oz

A setting of Hashkivenu – the evening prayer – by Lorenzo Valensi.
Performed by Lorenzo Valensi and Irwin Keller.

(c) 2008 Lorenzo Valensi

Hashkivenu

An adaptation of Rabbi Rami Shapiro's interpretive Ahavat Olam by Lorenzo Valensi. Performed by Lorenzo Valensi. 

(c) 2010 Lorenzo Valensi

Zozo Returns

Unending Love

"At the Closing of the Gates" is a call-and-response opening to Neilah, the closing service of Yom Kippur. Written and performed here by Reb Irwin Keller.

(c) 2011 Irwin Keller

Neilah: At the Closing of the Gates

An interpretive setting of the "Who by Fire" query of Unetaneh Tokef. How do we live with the uncertainty of the length of our days and the circumstances of deaths? With teshuvah, tefilah and tzedakah: "coming home to our hearts, giving blessing out, and being people of justice can lighten the burden of this difficult world."

Music and lyrics (c) 2009 Irwin Keller 

This 2020 recording:
Vocals: Reb Irwin Keller and Yonat Piva
Guitar: Lorenzo Valensi
Bass: Lynn Keller
Native American Flute: Sheridan Gold

Who Will Be Gone? (Unetaneh Tokef)

A collaboration between composer Lorenzo Valensi and poet Leiah Bowden, written for Congregation Ner Shalom, High Holy Days 2020.

Beyond A Wonder

A beautiful collaboration of composer Lorenzo Valensi and poet Leiah Bowden, commissioned as a "Shalom Rav" for Erev Yom Kippur 2020.  

Piano: Lorenzo Valensi
Vocals: Lorenzo Valensi and Leiah Bowden
Guitar: Suzanne Shanbaum
Flute: Sheridan Gold
Music Engineering: Suzanne Shanbaum

Lyrics:
Come walk with me
Come find the joy of peace.
Walk in the light of peace,
follow your heart.

Wherever I am,
I am with peace
in my heart’s knowing
of my true self.

I know I am safe.
Peace cradles me.
Softness enfolds me.
I can sleep.

Peace is my home,
shelters my grief
for the world's torment.
Peace calls to me.

I feel peace in the moments of
     simple delights,
calm pools of wonder beneath
     starry skies,
peace in the silence of forests, of
     sweet-flowing waters.

I know we are one.
Peace fills our soul.
Peace is our nature,
Peace is our right.
Let us all, please, live in peace.

Light Of Peace

A solo guitar piece by Suzanne Shanbaum designed to be a soundtrack for your prayers.

Contemplation

A contemplative guitar piece by Suzanne Shanbaum – a soundtrack for your gratitude. With Lynn Keller on bass.

Gratitude

Growing And Dying

Hamakom

Reb Irwin performs this beautiful setting of Psalm 148:1-6 by Yoel Sykes of Nava Tehila(www.navatehila.org). On guitar is Suzanne Shanbaum; on bass is Lynn Keller. Coming soon: an enhanced version with additional Ner Shalom singers and instrumentalists.

Text:

הַלְלוּיָהּ הַלְלוּ אֶת־יְיָ מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם הַלְלוּהוּ בַּמְּרוֹמִים:    
הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל־מַלְאָכָיו הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל־צְבָאָיו: 
הַלְלוּהוּ שֶׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵחַ הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל־כּוֹכְבֵי אוֹר:    
הַלְלוּהוּ שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם וְהַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל הַשָּׁמָיִם: 
יְהַלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְיָ כִּי הוּא צִוָּה וְנִבְרָאוּ:   
 וַיַּעֲמִידֵם לָעַד לְעוֹלָם חָק־נָתַן וְלֹא יַעֲבוֹר:

Haleluyah. Haleluyah. Haleluyah. Haleluyah.
Halelu et Adonai min hashamayim. Haleluhu bamromim. 
Haleluhu kol malakhav. Haleluhu kol tz'va'av.
Haleluhu shemesh v'yareach. Haleluhu kol kokh'vei or. 
Haleluhu sh'mey hashamayim v'hamayim asher me'al hashamayim.
Y'halelu et shem Adonai ki hu tzivah v'nivra'u. 
Vaya'amidem la'ad l'olam, chok natan v'lo ya'avor.

Hallelujah! Praise Adonai from the heavens; praise Yah in the heights.
Praise Yah, all you angels; praise Yah, all heaven's host.
Praise Yah, sun and moon; praise Yah, all you stars of light.
Praise Yah, heaven of heavens, and you waters that are above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Adonai; for God commanded, and they were created. Yah established them for ever and ever; Yah's law shall endure.

Hallelujah (Solo Version)

The Ner Shalom Good Shabbos Band performs this beautiful setting of Psalm 148:1-6 by Yoel Sykes of Nava Tehila(www.navatehila.org). On guitar is Suzanne Shanbaum; on bass is Lynn Keller; on flute is Sheridan Gold. Vocals: Rabbi Irwin Keller, Atzilah Solot, Lorenzo Valensi, Annemarie Goslow, Sophie Zwicker, Emilia Zwicker, Sheridan Gold, Susie Stonefield Miller. 

Scroll down in the Ner Shalom offerings for a version with just band and Reb Irwin.

Text:

הַלְלוּיָהּ הַלְלוּ אֶת־יְיָ מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם הַלְלוּהוּ בַּמְּרוֹמִים:
הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל־מַלְאָכָיו הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל־צְבָאָיו:
הַלְלוּהוּ שֶׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵחַ הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל־כּוֹכְבֵי אוֹר:
הַלְלוּהוּ שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם וְהַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל הַשָּׁמָיִם:
יְהַלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְיָ כִּי הוּא צִוָּה וְנִבְרָאוּ:
וַיַּעֲמִידֵם לָעַד לְעוֹלָם חָק־נָתַן וְלֹא יַעֲבוֹר:

Haleluyah. Haleluyah. Haleluyah. Haleluyah.
Halelu et Adonai min hashamayim. Haleluhu bamromim.
Haleluhu kol malakhav. Haleluhu kol tz'va'av.
Haleluhu shemesh v'yareach. Haleluhu kol kokh'vei or.
Haleluhu sh'mey hashamayim v'hamayim asher me'al hashamayim.
Y'halelu et shem Adonai ki hu tzivah v'nivra'u.
Vaya'amidem la'ad l'olam, chok natan v'lo ya'avor.

Hallelujah! Praise Adonai from the heavens; praise Yah in the heights.
Praise Yah, all you angels; praise Yah, all heaven's host.
Praise Yah, sun and moon; praise Yah, all you stars of light.
Praise Yah, heaven of heavens, and you waters that are above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the Adonai; for God commanded, and they were created. Yah established them for ever and ever; Yah's law shall endure.

Hallelujah – Full Chorus

This piyyut, or hymn, by an unknown medieval poet, is a favorite at Ner Shalom. It forms an acrostic, with each verse featuring the next 4 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This treatment of an Iraqi setting is based on the version of Rabbi Hazzan George Mordecai, who recorded it on his album Safra. (https://georgemordecai.bandcamp.com/album/safra)

This recording features Rabbi Irwin Keller on lead vocals, Suzanne Shanbaum on guitar, Lynn Keller on bass, Sheridan Gold on flute, and backup vocals by Lorenzo Valensi, Leiah Bowden, Atzilah Solot and Sheridan Gold.

Halelu Adir Adirim

Congregation Ner Shalom of Cotati, CA is a warm and inclusive Jewish community. Drawing from our Reconstructionist roots and the soulfulness of Jewish Renewal, we embrace Judaism through ritual, social justice, music, learning and laughter. Find us at www.nershalom.org.

Congregation Ner Shalom

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