Harmony in music is community in concert – every soul, every individual joining together to create something special, something holy. This is Music at Am Shalom.
From the days of antiquity when the Levites sang psalms in The Temple in Jerusalem to adorn the Israelites’ offerings, music has been passed down l’dor vador, from generation to generation, as a source of inspiration. It has lifted our souls when words alone could not suffice, giving voice to the deepest stirrings of the heart. Rooted in sacred text and tradition, Jewish music is ever-evolving, shaped by the currents of time and place, enriched by the cultures and countries in which it lives.
We invite you to add your voice to the chorus of our people. Only together can we honor the sacred legacy of our past and weave new harmonies for the generations to come.
Support Music at Am Shalom through donations to the Ken Smith Music Fund.
Learn more about the people behind Am Shalom’s music.
Koleinu (adult choir) formed shortly after Am Shalom’s formation in 1972. Throughout the years, this group has had the pleasure of performing with many renowned Jewish composers / performers / cantors from all over the world including: Debbie Friedman, Craig Taubman, Julie Silver, Bonia Shur, Dr. Samuel Adler, Danny Maseng, Cantor Jonathan Comisar, Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller, Feliza & Rabbi Or Zohar, Cantor David Berger, Cantor Joshua Breitzer, Cantor Richard Cohn, Boaz Dorot & Cantor Rabbi Shani Ben Or, Cantor Becky Mann, and more.
In addition to High Holy Days services, the choir sings in select shabbatot throughout the year and is featured in the Jewish Music Heritage Series (JMHS), a series of three shabbatot throughout the year that seek to expose and explore the ever-evolving modes of worship and musical expression within the prayer experience.
This video which features a new choral setting of Eili Eili by Cantor Rachelle Nelson and Rebecca Yaras, was extracted from 2025’s JMHS shabbat honoring 50 years of women in the cantorate.
*If you are interested in joining the choir, please email Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz or Cantor Julie Staple.
Shir Chadash, our teen band for 8th-12th graders, plays at High Holy Days Step-Up Services and various Family Shabbat services throughout the year. The musicians also act as Religious School Madrichol, and meet on Sundays throughout the school year, accompanying the Ruach Choir, helping out with Hava Nashira, leading t’filah, and occasionally visiting classrooms. To date, they have composed five original compositions of Jewish music, including:
Generally, rehearsals are at 8:45am every week before Religious School on Sundays.
**8th – 12th graders, please fill out the Madrichol application and indicate your interest in Shir Chadash!
If you have any questions, contact Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz or Cantor Julie Staple.
Hava Nashira, our tween band for 5th, 6th, & 7th graders plays at High Holy Days Step-Up services, select Family Shabbat services, and various other times throughout the school year. Generally, rehearsals are twice a month either before or after Religious School on Sunday mornings.
2025-26 Hava Nashira schedule
To join Hava Nashira
If you have any questions, contact Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz or Cantor Julie Staple.
Ruach Choir, our youth choir for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th graders sings at High Holy Days Step-Up services, select Family Shabbat services, and various other times throughout the school year. Generally, rehearsals are twice a month BEFORE Religious School on Sundays (9:00-9:25am).
2025-26 Ruach Choir schedule.
To Join Ruach Choir,
If you have any questions, contact Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz or Cantor Julie Staple.
