Welcome to a fresh new voice in the world of Jewish music, HUC cantorial student Natalie Young! Natalie's captivating voice and original melodies for Hebrew liturgical pieces, as well as introspective English ballads, are gifts she can now share with the world in this debut recording. Like a work of art, this lovely CD can be enjoyed over and over, with each time being as pleasing as the first. Guest vocalist Cantor Chayim Frenkel harmonizes beautifully with Natalie in Mi Shebeirach (original melody using Debbie Friedman's lyrics). Other selections include Carry Me, Ma Tovu, Elohai, Sh'ma/V'ahavta, Adonai, Ahavat Olam, Im Ein Ani Li Mi Li, Yih'yu L'ratzon, Dodi Li/Od Yishama, Sweet Gentle Night, Prisms, Esa Einai, and Oseh Shalom. If you want a soothing, peaceful recording, this one's for you!

Rebecca believes in the power of prayer through music so she composes melodies that are user friendly not only to cantors and song leaders but to lay leaders and congregants too. Her recording of 18 Hebrew and English original songs of spirit, love, and hope can be enjoyed by all for pure listening pleasure, and as a means to learn prayers. Y'did Nefesh (by Rebecca) and Shalom Aleichem (written by Jeff Marder) were winners at Shalshelet's first International Festival of Jewish Liturgical Music (2004), with recognition at this same event for Birkat Haneirot. Co-writer of Haderech Lashalom Sharon Katz joins Rebecca in singing that song and both are accompanied by Cantor Elena Zarkh on V'shamru and Shiru L'Adonai. Rosh Chodesh, Havdalah, and We Celebrate Together (written for a Women's Seder) are refreshing new melodies for these celebrations. Other selections include: Sh'ma Koleinu (Hear Our Voice), Shabbat Nigun, L'chah Dodi, Ahavat Olam, Oseh Shalom, Hal'luyah, Ahavah Rabah, Mipi Eil, and Eiliyahu Hanavi. You will feel enriched by listening to this beautiful recording that Rebecca has created.

Congregants at Old York Road Temple-Beth Am in Abington, PA are drawn together in a deeply spiritual community as soloist Rebecca Schwartz, leads worshippers on a sweet journey through the Shabbat morning service, often comprised of her soulful original melodies. This CD captures that awe inspiring feeling as new settings for traditional t'filot infuse fresh meaning into familiar prayers. The 20 selections, all in Hebrew, showcase Rebecca's lovely rich voice and uplifting presentation, backed by acoustic guitar, bass, flute, clarinet, percussion and drums. You will enjoy her compelling melodies for Modeh Ani, Mah Tovu, Bar'chu, Sh'ma, Mi Chamochah, Tsur Yisrael, K'dushah, R'tsei, Modim, Sim Shalom, Yih'yu L'ratson, Adon Olam, and others, as well as a beautiful rendition of Steve Dropkin's Oseh Shalom. The Jewish world can now be the beneficiary of this talented woman who shares with us her gift of music.

Rebecca's clear, soft voice and lovely phrasing illuminate these Shabbat selections!