Days of Awe

Prayers & songs for NSP's Rosh Hashanah 5781 morning service

Out of the Depths | Rosh Hashanah 5781

Prayers & songs for NSP's Yom Kippur 5781 services - Kol Nidre, YK morning & Ne'ilah

Out of the Depths | Yom Kippur 5781

TBZ High Holidays

Pesach

Havdalah & Hang - in person!

AARC Shabbat Morning 7/10/21 Playlist

Prayers & songs for NSP's Rosh Hashanah 5782 services - Rosh Hashanah morning service, Shofar service, and Tashlich ritual
Art by Naomi Weintraub & Etai Rogers-Fett

Release, Return, Renew | Rosh Hashanah 5782

Zemirot: from the root zamar, to tingle, to make music, to sing; to sing one's praises. Jastrow, pg. 405 (zemer can also mean dessert fruit)

Art by Alina Fox in collaboration with Narrow Bridge Candles and Arielle Tonkin

Zemirot shel Shabbat | זְמִירוֹת שֶׁל שַׁבָּת‎‎ | Soul Praise, Sacred Songs of Rest

From Birchot Hashachar, Morning Blessings, in the Jewish liturgy. 

אֱלֹהַי
נְשָׁמָה שֶׁנָּתַתָּ בִּי
טְהוֹרָה הִיא

Elohai neshama shenatata bi tehorah hi.

My G!D, the soul you gave to me is pure.

Please comment if you know where this melody is from!

Elohai Neshama Shenatata Bi

Origin:
Melody by Rabbi Shefa Gold
Words from morning liturgy
Sung by Batya Levine & Aliza Schwartz
Art by Naomi Weintraub & Etai Rogers-Fett

Words:
Ashrei yoshvei veitecha
Od y'hallelucha

Translation:
Happy are those that dwell in Your house
They keep on praising

Ashrei - Rabbi Shefa Gold

Origin:
Chabad melody
Sung by Batya Levine
Art by Naomi Weintraub & Etai Rogers-Fett

Rosh Chodesh Kislev Nigun - Chabad

This Mi Shebeirach was recorded in honor of Sam Sommer to give him and all those who love him strength as he received his bone marrow transplant.

Mi Shebeirach (Debbie Friedman)

Hinei El Yeshuati-Nathaniel M & Jana J

GEORGE MORDECAI - TZUR MISHELO

Mah tovu ohaleicha ya'akov mishkenoteicha yisrael. 

Va'ani berov chasdecha avo beitecha, eshtachaveh el heichal kodesheca beyiratecha.

Mah Tovu (Thomas Ravenscroft)

by Batya Levine with creative collaboration from Noam Lerman

recorded by Batya Levine & Noam Lerman
November 13, 2016

We Rise

Menucha veSimcha

Art by Brandon Boyd in Support of Standing Rock

Voice Memos

May I Be Empty/Full

"Elohai, the soul you have given me is pure."
Melody by Shefa Gold

Days of Awe: High Holiday Davening

Elohai Neshama

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

Elohai Neshama by Sol Weiss

Mikolot Mayim Rabim - Jessi Roemer

Safra

Iraqi Yah Ribon/Lecha Dodi (George Mordechai)

Daily praise song that celebrates all who live in the home of the divine (our sacred planet). Words from tradition, music by Aly Halpert. Creative consultation from Batya Levine.

Written for Linke Fligl, a queer Jewish chicken farm and cultural project in Millerton, NY, for their Sukkot gathering, 5779. (linkefligl.com)

Lyrics 
Hebrew(from traditional Jewish services)
Ashrei yoshvei veitecha, od y'hallelucha, selah!

English (by Aly Halpert)
I sing for you
I sing for what is holy and is true
I sing for all creation, for life and liberation
Everyday anew

Ashrei

Origin:
Words are from liturgy
Melody by Shir Yaakov
This version was recorded by the NSP Singing Team

Words:
Mi chamocha ba’eilim, Adonai
Mi kamocha, ne’edar bakodesh
Nora t’hilot, oseh feleh

Malchut’cha ra’u vanecha
bokai’ah yam lifnei Moshe
Zeh Eili, anu v’amru

Adonai yimloch l’olam va’ed

Translation:
Who is like You, among those called gods, G*d
Who is like You, majestic in holiness
Awesome in praises, doing wonders

Your children saw Your majesty 
When You split the sea before Moses
"This is my G*d" they shouted, and said

G*d will rule forever and ever

Mi Chamocha (Shir Yaakov)

Origin:
Words are from Psalm 136
Melody is a traditional Hasidic one that Joey Weisenberg has popularized in recent years
This is a recording from NSP's Rosh Hashanah Community Singing Session in 2019

Words:
Hodu l'Adonai ki tov, ki l'olam chasdo
Hodu leilohei ha-elohim, ki l'olam chasdo
Hodu la-adonei ha-adonim, ki l'olam chasdo
L'oseih nifla-ot g'dolot l'vado, ki l'olam chasdo
L'oseih hashamayim bitvunah, ki l'olam chasdo 
L'roka ha-aretz al hamayim, ki l'olam chasdo
L'oseih orim g'dolim, ki l'olam chasdo
Et hashemesh l'memshelet bayom, ki l'olam chasdo
Et hayarei-ach v'chochavim l'memsh'lot balay'lah, ki l'olam chasdo
Sheb'shifleinu zachar lanu, ki l'olam chasdo
Vayifr'keinu mitzareinu, ki l'olam chasdo
Notein lechem l'chol basar, ki l'olam chasdo 
Hodu l'eil hashamayim, ki l'olam chasdo

Singing Team - RH Melodies

Psalm 136 - Kane St Nigun

Origin:
Words are from High Holidays liturgy
Melody is a traditional High Holidays tune, if you know the origin, please comment!
This is a recording from NSP's Rosh Hashanah Community Singing Session in 2019

Words:
Adonai, Adonai
El rachum vechanun
Erech apayim, v'rav chesed v’emet
Notzeir chesed la’alafim
Nosei avon, vafesha
Vechata’ah, venakeih

Va'ani tefilati 
Lecha Adonai
Eit ratzon
Elohim b'rov chasdecha
Aneni b'emet yishecha

Translation:	
God, God
Is gracious and compassionate
Patient and abounding in kindness and faithfulness
Assuring love for a thousand generations
Forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin
And granting pardon

My prayer 
to You, Hashem
At this time of favor
G-d, in Your abundant kindness
Answer me with the truth of Your salvation

Adonai Adonai // V'ani Tefilati

K'mei Nahar

Tzur Mishelo - Peter Avniel Salzman z''l (sung by Magevet) - contemporary

how can I ...

be a little more soft today
feel a little more connected today
get a little more grounded today
be a little more free today 
___ a little more ____ today

A part of the melody inspired by and based on "Faith's Hymn" by Beautiful Chorus

How Can I

A zemer (song) for rest and joy on Shabbat, a time of slowing down
This zemer is usually sung on on Friday night. (16th century text)
sung by Mónica Gomery & Batya Levine

M’nuha v’simha, or lay’hudim,
Yom shabbaton yom mahamadim.
Shom’rav v’zokh’rav heima m’idim
Ki l’shisha kol b’ru’im v’om’dim.

Sh’mei shamayim, erets v’yamim,
Kol ts’va marom g’vohim v’ramim,
Tanin v’adam v’hayat r’eimim,
Ki v’yah adonai tsur olamim.

Hu asher diber l’am s’gulato,
Shamor l’kad’sho mibo’o v’ad tseito.
Shabbat kodesh, yom hemdato,
Ki vo shavat mikol m’lakhto.

B’mitsvat shabbat eil yahalitsakh.
Kum k’ra eilav yahish l’am’tsakh
Nishmat kol hai v’gam na’aritsakh,
Ekhol b’simha ki kh’var ratsakh.

B’mishneh lehem v’kiddush raba,
B’rov mat’amim v’ruah n’diva,
Yizku l’rav tuv hamit’an’gim bah
B’viat go’eil l’hayei ha’olam haba.

Translation:
O light of gladness,​​ O light of gladness,​​
Peace​ unto Israel,
Shabba​​t day of bliss, weave thy magic spell,
Weave​ thy magic spell.
All they who guard thee, all they who guard thee,
With raised cup do tell,
Tell of six days toil, earth from chaos raised
Build​ed firm and well.

Blue skies and green fields, blue skies and green fields,
Ocean​'s unceasing​ tide.
Glori​ous hosts of heaven, beaming far and wide,
Beami​ng far and wide.
Might​y whales and dragons fierce, mighty whales and dragons fierce,
Then human, to tame their pride:
God's​ hand formed them all, sure God's works abide,
Sure God's works abide.

God spoke to Israel, God spoke to Israel,
Chose​n for this behest,
'Till​ night's stars shine bright guard My Shabbat blest,
Guard​ My Shabbat blest.'
O day delightfu​​l, O day delightfu​​l,
Day which our God loved best,
God Godself on thee from God's toil did rest,
From God's toil did rest.

Ye faint and wearied, ye faint and wearied,
Shabba​​t soon make you strong!
Call on God, to God strength and might belong,
Stren​gth and might belong.
Sing loud God's praises, sing loud God's praises,
Sing mid the Angel throng,
Then go, eat in peace, God hath heard your song,
God hath heard your song.

Twin loaves and good cheer, twin loaves and good cheer,
Goble​ts of ruby wine,
Bid thy guests sing loud, praise God's gifts divine
Prais​e God's gifts divine.
God's grace will bless thee, God's grace will bless thee,
True Sabbath bliss be thine
Soon to greet our King, sprung from David's iiu
Sprun​g from David's line.

Menucha V'Simcha - Ashkenazi Traditional

This melody is for liturgy that praises the eternal attribute of lovingkindess. 
This recording shows two different places it can be used, in liturgy that shares this core message. The first is in Hallel (a praise section of liturgy reserved for holidays and new moons) and the second is found in Psukei D'zimra on Shabbat & Festivals (the consistant praise section of liturgy that has special additions on shabbos & holidays, such as this song!)

Hodu Ladonia from Hallel (added section of praise for holidays & new moon)

hodu ladonai ki tov ki l'olam chasdo(leader) 
hodu ladonai ki tov ki l'olam chasdo (congregation responds) 
yomar na yisrael ki l'olam chasdo (leader)
hodu ladonai ki tov ki l'olam chasdo (cong. responds) 
yomar na beit aharon ki l'olam chasdo (leader)
hodu ladonai ki tov ki l'olam chasdo (cong. responds) 
yomru na yirei adonai ki l'olam chasdo (leader)
hodu ladonai ki tov ki l'olam chasdo (cong. responds)

Translation:
LEADER: give gratitude to hashem (spirit/g!d/life force/etc.), because they are good, because their chesed (lovingkindness) is eternal 
CONGREGATION: give gratitude to hashem (spirit/g!d/life force/etc.), because they are good, because their chesed (lovingkindness) is eternal!
LEADER: let yisrael(our people/g?d wrestlers) please say: their chesed (lovingkindness)is eternal!
CONG: give gratitude to hashem (spirit/g!d/life force/etc.), because they are good, because their chesed (lovingkindness) is eternal!
LEADER: Let the house of Aharon (the priests/witches/magic weavers/spirit workers) please say: their chesed (lovingkindness)is eternal!
CONG: give gratitude to hashem (spirit/g!d/life force/etc.), because they are good, because their chesed (lovingkindness) is eternal!
LEADER: Let those who are in fear/awe of YHVH (existence/hashem/all time and space)please say: their chesed (lovingkindness)is eternal!
CONGREGATION: give gratitude to hashem (spirit/g!d/life force/etc.), because they are good, because their chesed (lovingkindness) is eternal!

Hodu Ladonai from Psukei D'zimra on Shabbat & Yom Tov (festivals)

hodu ladonai ki tov ki l'olam chasdo
hodu lei'lohei ha'elohim ki l'olam chasdo
hodu l'adonai ha'adonim ki l'olam chasdo
l'osai nifla'ot gedolot levado ki l'olam chasdo
l'osai ha'shamayim bi'tvunah ki l'olam chasdo
l'roka ha'aretz al ha'mayim ki l'olam chasdo
l'oseai orim gedolim ki l'olam chasdo
et ha'shemesh l'memshelet bayom ki l'olam chasdo
* [the liturgy continues, but this recording ends with these words, I've included the next line in the liturgy because they are liturgically linked, but there are more verses after that as well]
et ha'yareach v'kochavim l'memsilot ba'laila, ki l'olam chasdo 
(and it continues on...)

Translation: 
offer gratitude to YHVH (existance/g?d/life force...) because they are good, because their chesed (lovingkindness) is eternal
offer gratitude to the unifying power that is within all powers, because it's chesed (lovingkindness) is eternal
offer gratitude to the *boss* (in a positive sense of the word) of all bosses, because their chesed is eternal
to the one who is responsible for miracles and wonder, because their chesed is eternal
to the one weaves the heavens with understanding, because their chesed is eternal
to the spreading of earth over waters, because their chesed is eternal
to the former of great light/luminaries/illumination, because their chesed is eternal
the sun that reigns in the day,  because their chesed is eternal
[this song ends with the words above, but I included the next line because liturgically they go together]
the moon and stars that reign at night,  because their chesed is eternal


**** All translations are the way that I understand this liturgy, in which I strive to stay to true to the words, and include my own understanding of them ****

Hodu Ladonai (liturgy from Hallel & Shabbat/Yom Tov)

Ana Adonai Hoshia Na (x2)
Ana Adonai Hatzlicha Na (x2)

O Hashem, please save us
O Mystery, grant us well-being

These are words from Hallel, which is a special prayer service on Rosh Chodesh and festivals (Pesach, Sukkot, Shavuot). Much of the service is focused on praise, but it includes this raw moment of crying out.

Ana Adonai Hoshia Na

stone by stone
tear by tear
we release
& create right here

what is gone we build upon

credits
this is a rough cut / pre-master recorded with R. Micah Shapiro (on engineering, djembe & harmony vox) in west philly.

Stone by Stone by Taya Mâ

"The Sky's Reply" by Joshua Blaine
LYRICS:
מִֽן־הַ֭מֵּצַ֥ר קָרָ֣אתִי יָּ֑הּ עָנָ֖נִי בַמֶּרְחָ֣ב יָֽהּ׃
Psalm 118:5

To You I call, feeling scared and small.
And You reply with the vastness of the sky!

English verse/translation inspired by-the English translation from Siddur HaKohanot: A Hebrew Priestess Prayerbook:
"I called to Yah from the narrow place, and was answered with the sky's wideness"

The Sky’s Reply by Josh Blaine

Nishmat Kol Chai - Joey Weisenberg

Origin:
Words from morning liturgy
Melody by Rabbi Michel Twersky
Sung by Batya Levine
Art by Etai Rogers-Fett

Words:
Modeh/ah ani l'fanecha
Ruach chai v'kayam

Translation:
Thank You, Living God and Spirit
For giving me anoth​er day of awareness​

Modeh Ani - Im Eshkachech by R' Michel Twersky

Origin:
Words are from S'lichot
We're not sure of the origin for this melody, if you know please comment!
This is a recording that Batya Levine made for NSP in preparation for co-leading High Holiday services with Rabbi Joseph in 2020

Words:
Ya'aleh tachanuneinu me'erev
V'yavo shavateinu miboker
V'y'raeh rinoneinu ad arev

Ya'aleh koleinu me'erev
V'yavo tz'dakteinu miboker
V'y'raeh p'dyoneinu ad arev

Ya'aleh inoneinu me'erev
V'yavo s'lichateinu miboker
V'y'raeh na'akteinu ad arev

Ya'aleh d'fakeinu me'erev
V'yavo gileinu miboker
V'y'raeh bakishateinu ad arev

Ya'aleh einkatenu me'erev
V'yavo eilecha miboker
V'y'raeh aleinu ad arev

Translation:
May our prayer arise this evening,
May our cry come before You by tomorrow morning, 
May our song be heard by next nightfall.

May our voices arise this evening,
May our righteousness be found by tomorrow morning, 
May our redemption be fulfilled by next nightfall.

May our fast arise this evening,
May our plea for pardon come by tomorrow morning, 
May our sighs be answered by next nightfall.

May our memory arise this evening,
May our community unite by tomorrow morning, 
May we see Your splendor by next nightfall.

May our knocking upon Your gates arise this evening, 
May our joyfulness come by tomorrow morning,
May our search for You be crowned by next nightfall.

May our weeping arise this evening, 
May it reach You by tomorrow morning. 
May You answer us by next nightfall.

Ya'aleh - V'haviotim

Origin:
Words from Selichot liturgy
Melody is a Chabad tune
This is a recording that Batya Levine made for NSP in preparation for co-leading High Holiday services with Rabbi Joseph in 2020

Words:
Rachamana d’anei (de’anei) la’ani’ei
oy vey! aneina(n) 

Rachamana d’anei l’tvi’rei lieba, 
oy aneina(n)! oy aneina(n)!

Translation:
Compassionate One, who answers/responds to the oppressed. 
Oy Vey! Answer/respond to us!

Compassionate One, who answers/responds to the brokenhearted. 
Oy! Answer/respond to us! 
Oy! Answer/respond to us!

Rachamana - Chabad Melody

Makom Bina - Deborah Sacks Mintz

Origin:
Melody by Nava Tehila
Sung by Batya Levine
Art by Naomi Weintraub & Etai Rogers-Fett

Nishmat Kol Chai - Joey Weisenberg

Nishmat Shoom