National JOC Shabbaton by Jews of Color Mischpacha Project

hishtadlus & bitachon for olam haba

This is a collection of songs that were shared at Let My People Sing!'s Summer Retreat 2023 that we are thrilled to be sharing with you, beloved community.

Artwork by Sivan Tratt

It is Upon Us to Dream Beyond Us: a taste of LMPS summer retreat 2023

Songs for Ceasefire

emotional landscapes

Songs from IfNotNow Toronto's Sing for Ceasefire song-leading workshop

INN Toronto's Sing for Ceasefire

Fringes Shabbat Music

Healing light, that’s what you bring, healing light

And the water’s no longer confining
And the water is shimmering free
And the water becomes beauty blinding 
You bring us freedom release 
Yemaya

Freedom release

Yemaya by Shoshana Vogel

#Jewish #SocialJustice #Climate #ClimateJustice

The Moment

Sung with Rachel Chang (guitar + vox)

Lyrics:

I’ve been trying to soften to this life
to let it touch me
'cause I know the fear that braces me is very old
but in my blood I feel the thrum of my ancestors on the run 
and boy sometimes it’s hard to tell it’s not today

But I would like to trust
I would like to believe I’m safe
I would like to let my body lead the way

I’ve been trying to open to this moment,
let it unfold 
cause I know the shame that narrows me is very old
but theres a child in my mind who loved and then got left behind
and boy sometimes it’s hard to tell it’s not today

But I would like to trust 
I would like to believe I’m safe
I would like to let intuition lead the way

May I let the cosmic ocean of love buoy me up
May I let the cosmic ocean of love wash over me
Da da daaaa…. 

Cause I would  like to trust 
I would like to believe I’m safe
I would like to let my body lead the way
I would like to trust 
I would like to believe I’m safe
I would like to let intuition lead the way

I Would Like To Trust

Hodu l'Adonai ki tov, 
ki lay'olam khas doe. 
Hodu l'Adonai ki tov, 
ki lay'olam khas doe. 
Hodu, hodu 
Hodu, hodu 
Hodu l'Adonai ki tov, 
Hodu, hodu 
Hodu, hodu 
Hodu l'Adonai ki tov.

Ki L'olam Chasdo

Where You Go by Shoshana Jedwab, based on the Book of Ruth

Where you, I will go Beloved
Where you go I will go 	[x2]
Where you lie I will lie Beloved
Where you lie I will lie 	[x2]

Chorus:
And your people are my people
Your people are mine
Your people are my people
Your divine my divine	[x2]

Where You Go by Shoshana Jedwab

Little Song is a nigun (wordless melody) that is a soft, simple call and response / echo song that has often served as a way to sing out messages or add in words. This version was born when Ilana Lerman was driving to Washington DC to lead a songleader training at an IfNotNow action along with me and a powerful team of many songleaders, where she put the movement's messaging and demands to this tune. Since then, more of us have added words, the song growing every time. This melody is a powerful vehicle for sharing a message and grounding in our hearts. With these words, we hope the song can both be a gentle support to all of us in times of devastation and a strong loud voice in calling out for an end to the war.

With our prayers for healing this broken world and bridging the distance between us that can feel so cavernous, for grieving the terror of violence and oppression and a world that makes us believe they are necessary, for finding our way through together — we call for a ceasefire now: protect lives on all sides, end the siege on Gaza. 

How to use the song:

This melody can accelerate and pick up energy or slow down and get soft, is easy to learn, and is a call and response song, making it impactful for sharing a message. The last note of each line is drawn out to overlap with the response. When using in groups or at actions, the main words have been "Ceasefire Now," "Not in our name" and "No more genocide." You are welcome to use the words that feel right for the moment and add your own. Other possibilities include: Never again is now / Safety for all now / Let Gaza live / etc. 


Lyrics:

Ceasefire Now
to the tune of "Little Song" by Sol Weiss with added words from Ilana Lerman, Sol Weiss and many voices in the Ceasefire movement. 

Cease fire now (ceasefire now)
Cease fire now (ceasefire now)
Cease fire now (ceasefire now)
Cease fire now (ceasefire now)

Not in our name (not in our name)
Not in our name (not in our name)
Not in our name (not in our name)
Not in our name (not in our name)

Bring them home now (bring them home now)
Bring them home now (bring them home now)
Bring them home now (bring them home now)
Bring them home now (bring them home now)

Put the weapons down (put the weapons down)
Put the weapons down (put the weapons down)
Put the weapons down (put the weapons down)
Put the weapons down (put the weapons down)

Cease fire now (ceasefire now)
Cease fire now (ceasefire now)
Cease fire now (ceasefire now)
Cease fire now (ceasefire now)

Not in our name (not in our name)
Not in our name (not in our name)
Not in our name (not in our name)
Not in our name (not in our name)

*V’ ahavta (v'ahavta)
L’arecha (l'arecha)
K’mocha (k'mocha)
K’mocha (k'mocha)

Cease fire now (cease fire now)
Cease fire now (cease fire now)
Cease fire now (cease fire now)
Cease fire now (cease fire now)

*וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ
Hebrew translation "and you shall love your neighbor as you love yourself" (Vayikra 19:18)

Sung by: Matt Goldfield, Molly Bajgot, Ilana Lerman, Helen Bennett & Sol Weiss
November 2023

Ceasefire Now (tune of Little Song by Sol Weiss, adapted by Ilana Lerman Oct 16, 2023)

What Ezekiel Saw, by Nomy Lamm


CHORUS: I looked up into the sky
I was lookin at the center of god’s insides
Looking for an angel to be my guide
Chills ran up and down my spine

There was a great big golden ring
And it was twisting and turning…

CHORUS

There was a second ring right there inside
The great big golden ring
And it was twisting and turning…

CHORUS

There were eyeballs on every side
of the second ring right there inside
of the great big golden ring
And it was twisting and turning…

CHORUS

There were wings upon wings
growing out the eyeballs on every side
of the second ring right there inside
of the great big golden ring
And it was twisting and turning…


CHORUS

Face of a lion an eagle a human a cow
on wings upon wings
growing out the eyeballs on every side
of the second ring right there inside
of the great big golden ring
And it was twisting and turning…

CHORUS

It was young and old and in between
a lion an eagle a human a cow
on wings upon wings
growing out the eyeballs on every side
of the second ring right there inside
of the great big golden ring
And it was twisting and turning…

CHORUS


Trumpets were blasting!
young and old and in between
a lion an eagle a human a cow
on wings upon wings
growing out the eyeballs on every side
of the second ring right there inside
of the great big golden ring
And it was twisting and turning…

Nomy's Bandcamp: https://nomylamm.bandcamp.com/
Nomy's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-949519256
Nomy's website: https://www.nomyteaches.com/

Photo by Jess Benjamin, taken at Let My People Sing! Summer Retreat 2023

What Ezekiel Saw: The Ophanim Song - Nomy Lamm

Time of Change - Keshira haLev Fife
We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for
We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for
It is upon us to dream beyond us
We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for
 
This is a time of change
Hold liminality
Let it rearrange us
May it turn us towards the sacred

Keshira's website: https://www.keshirahalev.com/

Photo by Jess Benjamin, taken at Let My People Sing! Summer Retreat 2023

Time of Change - Keshira haLev Fife

Lamma Bada Yatathanna - 10th Century Poem, Unknown Composer
Rhythm: Sama’i Thaqil 10/8
Doum es es Tak es Doum Doum Tak es es
D - - T - D D T - -

لما بدي يتثني
Lamma bada Yatathan-na
When my love appeared walking with a swinging gait
لما بدي يتثني
Lamma bada Yatathan-na
When my love appeared walking with a swinging gait
امان امان امان امان امان
Aman Aman Aman Aman Aman
(exclamation)
حبي جماله فتننا
7ebbi jama-lu fatan-na
Her beauty infatuated me
امان امان امان امان امان
Aman Aman Aman Aman Aman
(exclamation)
أومى بلحظ أسرنا
Awma bi LaHzu asarna
Something captured our hearts at a glance
أومى بلحظ أسرنا
Awma bi LaHzu asarna
Something captured our hearts at a glance
امان امان امان امان امان
Aman Aman Aman Aman Aman
(exclamation)
غصن ثنى حينما
Ghusnun thana Hin-amal
Like the branches that sway gracefully
امان امان امان امان امان
Aman Aman Aman Aman Aman
(exclamation)
وعدي و يا حيرتي
Wa’di wa ya Hirati
Oh my destiny, my dilemma
وعدي و يا حيرتي
Wa’di wa ya Hirati
Oh my destiny, my dilemma
ما لي رحيم شكوتي
Mali raHimu shakwaty
None will answer my appeal
بالحب من لوعتي
BilHoub-bi min law’aty
Who can heal me from my ardor of love
إلا مليك الجمال
Illa maleekul jamal
Other than the lady (Lordess) of beauty.
إلا مليك الجمال
Illa maleekul jamal
Other than the lady (Lordess) of beauty?
بالحب من لوعتي
Bil7oubbi min law3aty
Who can heal me from my ardor of love
إلا مليك الجمال
Illa maleekul jamal
Other than the lady (Lordess) of beauty?
إلا مليك الجمال
Illa maleekul jamal
Other than the lady (Lordess) of beauty?

April's website: https://aprilcentrone.com/

Photo by Jess Benjamin, taken at Let My People Sing! Summer Retreat 2023

Lamma Bada Yatathanna - 10th Century Poem, Unknown Composer, led by April Centrone

Greif and Love by Sarina Partidge
Grief moving through me
Let my body
Feel the waves of love and grief

Grief, grief and love
Let me feel it all

Purchase this track & hear more music from Sarina: https://sarinapartridge.bandcamp.com/  
Support Sarina's work: Patreon.com/sarinapartridge 
Sarina's Website: https://sarinapartridge.com/

Photo by Jess Benjamin, taken at Let My People Sing! Summer Retreat 2023

Grief and Love - Sarina Partridge

Ashreichem, piyyut from Persian tradition, sung by MJ Gilbert 
written in Judeo-Persian 
זְכוּתֶה תוּרֶה יֶה מוּשֶׁה
זְכוּתֶה גַ'מְעֵה חֲבֵרִים 
בָּר מָה רֶסַאן בְּשׂוֹרָה 
אָז אוֹמַאדַנֶה יְשׁוּעָה 
אַשְׁרֵיכֶם אַשְׁרֵיכֶם אַשְׁרֵיכֶם יִשְׂרָאֵל 
אָז צֶ'שְׁמֶה יֶה הָיֶיה יְשׁוּעָה 
אָוֹבֶּה הָייָאתִי בָּרוֹרִים 
בָּר מָה רֶסַאן בְּשׂוֹרָה 
אָז אוֹמַאדַנֶה יְשׁוּעָה 
אַשְׁרֵי אֲשֶׁר אַשְׁרֵי 
הַשִּׁירִים אֲשֶׁר לִשְׁלֹמֹה 
אַשְׁרֵיכֶם אַשְׁרֵיכֶם אַשְׁרֵיכֶם יִשְׂרָאֵל

Zekhuteh tureh ye Musheh
Zekhuteh jam’eh haverim
Bar mah resan besorah
Az omadaneh yeshu’ah
Ashreikhem, ashreikhem, ashreikhem Israel
Az cheshmeh yeh hayeh yeshu’ah
A-obe hayati barorim
Bar mah resan besorah
Az omadaneh yeshu’ah
Ashrei, asher ashrei 
Hashirim asher li-Shlomo
Ashreikhem, ashreikhem, ashreikhem Israel

By the merit of the Torah of Moses
By the merit of this gathering of friends
Send us the good news
Of the coming of our redemption.
Happy, happy, happy are you O Israel
From the wells of redemption we draw the water of life
Happy, happy, happy are you O Israel



Artwork by Sivan Tratt

Ashreichem - piyyut from Persian tradition, sung by MJ Gilbert

from Release: Songs for Shmita by Adamah Fellows Fall 2014

PRODUCER 
Shir Yaakov Feit, shiryaakov.com

MUSICIANS 
Elana Brody, Arielle Solomon, Rachel Cohn, Talya Goldberg, Tadea Klein, Yaeli Bronstein, Brooke Palatt, Craig Auerbacher, Margot Seigle, Brian Dolphin, Shir Yaakov Feit

RECORDING ENGINEER 
Ruwan Karunanande

lyrics
May the life I lead speak for me 
When I get to the end of my road 
And I lay down my heavy load 
May the life I lead speak for me

May the songs I sing speak for me

May the work I do speak for me

May the words I speak speak for me

May the path I walk speak for me

May the land I tend speak for me

May The Life I Lead

There Is So Much Magnificence

Brich Rachamana בריך רחמנא

recorded by dove kent, talia cooper & margot seigle on a sweet fall night in a cozy brooklyn apartment. 

Aramaic: Babylonian Talmud 
English: Rabbi Shefa Gold, www.RabbiShefaGold.com

lyrics
בריך רחמנא 
מלכא דעלמא 
מריה דהאי פיתא 

Brikh raḥamana 
Malka d'alma 
Ma'arey d'hi (oh!) pita 

You are the source of 
Life for all that is 
And your blessing 
Flows through me

Oh lord prepare me
To be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
And with thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you

Oh lord prepare me
To be a revolutionary
Bold and tender, tried and true
And with each other, 
We'll build another
World together
For me and you

(bonus verse written by iris brilliant, andrew meeker, sarah abbott, margot seigle & becky jones, with edits from Aly Halpert / summer 2015)

TISHREI - Brich Rachamana בריך רחמנא

When the world is sick, can't no one be well
But i dreamt we was all beautiful and strong

from God Bless Our Dead Marines by Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band

recording produced by Shir Yaakov Feit. 

musicians: 
Elana Brody, Arielle Solomon, Rachel Cohn, Talya Goldberg, Tadea Klein, Yaeli Bronstein, Brooke Palatt, Craig Auerbacher, Margot Seigle, Brian Dolphin, Shir Yaakov Feit

Release Outtakes

When The World Is Sick

recorded by Batya Levine & Noam Lerman
November 9, 2016

Noam Lerman learned this song during a morning water ceremony that took place at standing rock reservation when they were there during sukkot. It was taught by someone named Lia.

Water Heal My Soul

I Will Stay With You

Translation: Human being, rise up! Rise up, for you have tremendous strength. You have wings of spirit, wings of noble eagles! Don't forget them or they will forget you. Seek them, and instantly they will manifest.

(thinking about this one for hanukkah, about growing in light, elevating, rising up)

Hebrew:
Ben Adam, aleh l'malah aleh (2x)
Ki koach oz l'cha, yesh b'cha kanfei ruach
kanfei nesharim abirim
al t'chakhesh bam!
Pen yechakhashu l'cha
drosh otam 
u'mat'z miyad

Human Being, Rise Up

we are good.
we are flawed.
we are the breath of an imperfect god.

returning to self. returning to source.
god is change. god is growth. the process, in all it's beauty and all it's mess, is god.

collage art by Chani Nicholas

we are good we are flawed

Song/prayer/meditation to heal personal and societal grief. For ordinary grief, extraordinary grief, the unbearable kind and the unseen kind and the enduring kind, in service of exhales and letting go of what is ours and not ours, of compassion, lightness, & becoming who we are after and through it all.

Aly Halpert's Album

Loosen Loosen

Melody and English words by the Silver Mount Zion Orchestra and Tra-la-la Band

Singing Team - Friday Night Melodies

Ana El Na/When the World Is Sick

and in whose name? 
and at whose call? 
and by whose hand? 
and on whose land? 

and on which day? 
and by what laws? 
and with what trial? 
and in whose home? 

and by whose blood? 
and at what cost? 
and in whose gaze? 
and by whose loss? 

and in whose eyes?

For Justice

Written by: Ma Muse
Sung by: Cadence
Lyrics:
We shall be known by the company we keep
By the ones who circle round to tend these fires
We shall be known by the ones who sow and reap
The seeds of change alive from deep within the Earth

It is time now
It is time now that we thrive
It is time we lead ourselves into the well

It is time now
And what a time to be alive
In this great turning we shall learn to lead in love x2

Repeat all

In this great turning we shall learn to lead in love x2

We Shall Be Known

This a musical setting and vocal arrangement by Karen Escovitz of Lucille Clifton's poem "the lesson of the falling leaves." This recording was created only as a teaching tool for our havurah. The second song woven in is "Ozi v'zimrat yah" by Rabbi Shefa Gold

the lesson of the falling leaves

the leaves believe
such letting go is love
such love is faith
such faith is grace
such grace is god
i agree with the leaves

The Leaves Believe Clifton/Escovitz

sim shalom, sim shalom, sim shalom, oooh sim shalom
lace peace and goodness and blessing on the world
grace, lovingkindness, compassion on us

Sim Shalom - Koach Baruch Frazier

Lyrics by Ibn Gvirol & Melody by Arielle Korman 

Shachar avakeshcha, tzuri u’misgabi
E’eroch lefanecha shachri v’gam arvi
Lifnei gedulatcha, e’emod v’ebahel
Ki eincha tireh chol machshevot libi
Ma zeh acher yuchal halev v’halashon 
La’asot u’mah koach ruchi b’toch kirbi 
Hineh l’cha titav zimrat enosh al ken 
Odcha b’od tihyeh nishmat Eloha bi 

(Somewhat Interpretive) English Translation— Arielle Korman

Dawn— I seek you, my rock and my fortress 
I unfurl before you my Shacharit (morning) and Aravit (evening) prayers 
Before your greatness I stand in my fear 
For your eye sees all the thoughts of my heart.
What is it that my heart and tongue are capable of 
doing? What is the strength of this spirit within me?
Here— a human’s song will be good to you.
I thank you, while the spirit of God is still within me. 

שַׁחַר אֲבַקֶשְׁךָ,
צוּרִי וּמִשְׂגַּבִּי
אֶעְרֹך לְפָנֶיךְ
שַׁחְרִי וְגַם עַרְבִּי
 
לִפְנֵי גְדֻלָּתְךָ
אֶעְמֹד וְאֶבָּהֵל
כִּי עֵינְךָ תִרְאֶה
כָּל מַחְשְׁבוֹת לִבִּי
 
מַה זֶה אֲשֶׁר יוּכַל
הַלֵּב וְהַלָּשׁוֹן
לַעְשׂוֹת וּמַה כֹּחַ
רוּחִי בְּתוֹךְ קִרְבִּי
 
הִנֵּה לְךָ תִיטַב
זִמְרַת אֱנוֹשׁ עַל כֵּן
אוֹדְךָ בְּעוֹד תִּהְיֶה
נִשְׁמַת אֱלוֹהַּ בִּי

Shachar Avakeshcha - Lyrics by Ibn Gvirol & Melody by Arielle Korman

Yeshivat Hadar Fellows of 2018-2019 are pleased to present our recording of tunes from Hallel. We loved singing together so much and want to share our joy with you.

Singers: 
Joe Hyman
Aliza Abolaffia
Yael Jaffe
Ariela Hyman
Nissa Mai
Anina Dassa
Michal Segall
Eliana Willis
Jonathan Wasserman
Anat Hochberg
Allen Lipson
Nate Swetlitz
Lili Shvartzmann
Baci Weiller
Rena Branson
Ari Pomerantz
Ella Grodzinski
Mia Appelbaum
Sam Balogh
Liza Bernstein
Daniela Nagar

Recorded & Edited by Jonathan Wasserman

Hallel

Min HaMeitzar

This song came through the shock following a particularly cruel Zoombombing that disrupted a funeral. 

May we hold one another as we wind down the rocky mountain roads from the peaks of shock and heartbreak to the valleys of silence and peace.

Melody, Vocals, and Guitar by Arielle Korman

Comedown Nigun

Sung with chickens at Linke Fligl, 10/1/20
http://linkefligl.com/

Linke Fligl Nigun

This is a chant grounded in the resilience, courage, and hope of our Jewish ancestors, reminding us that when we fight for life and for justice, we are weaving ourselves with all justice-fighters who came before us. No fight is too big for our fierce and courageous hearts. 

As the story goes: In 1939, Nazis surrounded a group of Jews from Lublin, Poland, backed up against barbed wire and ordered them to sing to their own execution. One man began to sing: "Mir veln zey iberlebn, iberlebn, iberlebn” —"We will outlive them.” The song took hold among the entire people, who, as they awaited their deaths, began to dance. They danced with joy, with resilience, with a life that could not be destroyed by fascism, militarism, or genocide. The commander saw this resilience. He recognized their defiance. They continued, even as the SS troops charged at them. Most lost their lives that day. And some lived to tell this story. We are here. We will outlive them. We will join forces and voices with others to fight so we can all outlive them, together (thank you, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice!). 

Vocals: Avra Shapiro
Melody: Avra Shapiro
Arrangement: Avra Shapiro & Nadav Simon 
Bass: Matt Coglianese
Drums: Nadav Simon
Violin: Mallory Linehan
Production and Mixing: Nadav Simon
Mastering: Steve Marek 
Recorded and Mastered at Cybernetic Meadow
Art by Micah Bazant (poster can be bought here: https://www.micahbazant.com/buy-art/we-will-outlive-them).

Mir Veln Zey Iberlebn

https://fb.watch/3eSSURrJSb/

We will not underestimate 
our power any longer—
we know that together, we are strong.
Like drops of water shape the rocks 
as they rush down the falls,
we know that together,
we are strong.

שִׁירָה חֲדָשָׁה שִׁבְּ֒חוּ גְאוּלִים לְשִׁמְךָ עַל־שְׂפַת הַיָּם יַֽחַד כֻּלָּם הוֹדוּ
Shira chadasha shibchu ge'ulim l'shimcha al sfat hayam, 
yachad kulam hodu
"With newborn song, liberated people praised Your name on the lip of the sea. All were one in thanks." -Jewish Liturgy

May it be so.

Production by Eitan Kantor
Art by Sol Yael Weiss
Music and English Lyrics by Rena Branson
Hebrew Lyrics from Jewish Liturgy

Virtual Choir:

Aly Halpert
Anat Halevy Hochberg
Ari Yovel
R' Ariel Root Wolpe
Ariel Shapiro
Arielle Rivera Korman
Aviva Chernick
Batya Levine
Binya Kóatz
Caryn Shebowich
Chloe Telfeyan Glickman
Cole Krawitz
Dori Midnight
Eitan Kantor
Gedalia Penner
Grace Gleason
Itai Gal
JB Levine
Pastor John Bergen
C' Jessi Roemer
K' Keshira haLev Fife
Margot Seigle
Marigo Farr
Mariyama Scott
Marques Hollie
May Ye
Molly Bajgot
R' Mónica Gomery
Nissa Mai Rose
Nnedinma Umeadi
R' Noam Lerman
Patrece Dixon
Rachel Chang
Rebecca Peretz-Lange
Rebekka Goldsmith
Reem Rosenhaj
Reuben Shachar Rose
Riv Ranney Shapiro
Rowan K. Ching
Sadie Gold-Shapiro
Shana Salzberg
Sol Yael Weiss
Yaara Perczek
Yasha Shapiro
Zuriel Biran

Our Power (Video Version)

JEWISH COMMUNAL SINGING FOR HEALING AND LIBERATION
Let My People Sing! is a cultural project expanding the ancient and transformative practice of Jewish communal singing. We gather in multi-racial, multicultural and genderful Jewish community, uplifting songs and leaders historically and ongoingly pushed to the margins. Together, we transmit and reclaim diasporic Jewish singing traditions, celebrate original music emerging from our communities, and create heart-centered gatherings where we can all be leaders and learners of song.