Shabbat Shira^® Cancellation Policy
There is a $75 cancellation fee. All cancellations must be made in writing. We regret we cannot give refunds for cancellations less than three days (72 hours) in advance of the program.

For more information or to be added to the Hava Nashira or Shabbat Shira mailing lists, please contact Barbara Gordon at 847-239-6984 or bgordon@urj.org .

Hava Nashira^® 2013 is scheduled for May 29-June 2, 2013

Shabbat Shira Faculty bios

Merri Lovinger Arian serves on the faculty of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. She teaches both cantorial and rabbinic students, offering courses in Music Education, Conducting, Congregational Singing, Worship, and Contemporary Congregational Repertoire. Merri previously served as Director of Music for Synagogue 2000 (S2K), a leading trans-denominational institute developing models for revitalizing synagogue life, and has more recently served as Synagogue 3000's consultant on liturgical arts at HUC-JIR in New York. In that role, Merri supervises rabbinic and cantorial students in creating worship collaboratively at the College-Institute. She holds an MA in Teaching, a BFA in Music Education, and a Certificate in Music Therapy. Merri edited R'fuah Sh'leimah : Songs of Healing. Her recordings include Nefesh : Songs for the Soul, a CD for S2K, and NFTY in Harmony, an album with an accompanying songbook of original choral arrangements. She has written on "Music, Prayer and Sacred Community," and on the educational value of youth choirs.

Michelle Citrin is a Brooklyn based singer/songwriter and producer. Whether playing in front of a sold-out crowd of thousands on the beach of Tel Aviv, or an intimate set at a coffeehouse in Melbourne, Australia, Michelle Citrin's soulful voice, skillful guitar playing, humorous in-between-song banter and unpretentious demeanor has captured the eyes and ears of her audience all over the world.

In 2008, Michelle co-created and starred in the hit YouTube sensations, "20 Things to do with Matzah” and “Rosh Hashanah Girl,”

which to date, have received millions of hits, ranking in the top 20 most viewed music videos of the year. Michelle’s versatility and talent for writing catchy and meaningful songs has led to rave reviews and accolades including being named as one of Billboard Music's "Top Songwriters", VH-1’s Song of the Year finalist and New York's Jewish Week listing Michelle as one of the “36 Under 36: The Next Wave of Jewish Innovators.”

In addition to performing regularly, Michelle leads workshops on developing self-expression and tapping into inner creative spirit, sits on the Artist Board for Jewishrockradio.com and serves on Synagogue 3000’s Next Dor Committee.

Rabbi Leora Kaye’s experience spans across the spectrum of the “Jewish World” including education, programming, and filmmaking. As a rabbi she has focused on seeking new ways to expand people’s understanding of Judaism.

While in rabbinical school Leora worked as a production associate on the award-winning documentary Blue Vinyl, which was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001 and subsequently aired on HBO in 2002. Since then she has combined her interest in media and religion by producing videos for NFTY, Matan, and other Jewish organizations. Leora is the rabbinic consultant for the new Shalom Sesame project that launched in November of 2010, and wrote the companions Study Guides for Jewish Food For Thought–a series of thought provoking and entertaining animated shorts focused on Jewish ideas.

As the Program Director for Congregation Rodeph Sholom since 2004, Rabbi Kaye creates and organizes inventive programs and coordinates the synagogue’s conversion program. Rabbi Kaye is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison and received her rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 2002. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Julie Silver is one of the most celebrated and beloved performers in the world of contemporary Jewish music today. She tours throughout the world, and has been engaging audiences with her lyrical guitar playing, her dynamic stage presence, and her megawatt smile for nearly twenty years.

By the time she was 18, she was leading raucous song sessions throughout the Reform Jewish movement and playing coffeehouses in and around Boston. Eventually, she would become one of the most sought-after song leaders in the country. Without backing from a major label, Julie has sold more than 80,000 copies of her CDs and has released some of the highest selling, successful albums of original Jewish music. Her songs have become so tightly woven into the fabric of American Judaism that they have become “standards” in worship, camp, and academic settings.

These days, Silver is focused on traveling the world, mentoring up-and-coming singer-songwriters, participating in Social Justice projects and making the Jewish experience more meaningful. “I try to enhance the way people experience Judaism by adding my own take on our sacred texts” Silver says. “Our tradition compels us to express ourselves…our joys, our hopes, our faith and our fears. As a songwriter, I just write and sing what I feel and hope it resonates with people.”

Israeli American, singer- songwriter Duvid Swirsky is a co-founder of the one of the most popular acts on the Jewish music scene: MOSHAV. With over 8 records and 100,000 CD sales, MOSHAV brings their fiery blend of traditional and original music to audiences across the world. Duvid grew up in a musical village in the hills between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, performing at an early age with Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Duvid’s parents had come to Israel in the early 70’s. “When we were growing up”, explains Duvid, “the only electrical appliance in the house was a record player. So, while American kids might be growing up watching television and playing video games, we were listening to the records our parents brought with them -- Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Neil Young. In 1999, Duvid and his band moved to Los Angeles to sign a record deal with SONY JMG. There, Duvid leapt head first into the vibrant Los Angeles music scene. Duvid is currently producing two new records for MOSHAV and music for T.V, film and a variety of artists.

Craig Taubman’s dynamic music and moving performance style have been an inspiration to the Jewish community for over 22 years. Craig’s magical and enchanting music brings to life the joy and spirit of the Jewish heritage, appealing to young and old alike and captivating audiences wherever he goes.

Craig first began performing at the age of 15 when he was encouraged by a counselor at Camp Ramah in Ojai, California to take hold of a guitar and lead services. Raised in Los Angeles in a Conservative Jewish family; his interest in music became interwoven with his passion for Jewish history and culture.

Craig’s songs bridge traditional Jewish themes and ancient teachings with passages and experiences of contemporary Jewish life. He speaks a language that is both comfortable and acceptable to children and adults. His Jewish recordings are an integral part of the community, weaving song and spirit into the fabric of Jewish life. Craig’s two most recent recordings Friday Night Live and One Shabbat Morning have helped to reinvigorate Shabbat services in Los Angeles and across the nation. Craig is also the producer of the popular Celebrate Series a compilation CD project which collects some of the best Jewish music available on special theme-oriented recordings.

Craig enjoys a successful career in television and film composing as well. Craig’s sell-out concerts draw thousands of fans at such respected venues as Ravinia in Chicago, Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, Westbury Music Fair in New York, the Greek Theater in Los Angeles and three special performances at the White House.