Welcoming Shabbat with a Sephardi Lecha Dodi by Cantor Jacob Agar

Cantor Jacob Agar of Congregation Beth Shalom in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania received his cantorial investiture at the H.L Miller Cantorial School at Jewish Theological Seminary of New York. Previously he studied opera performance and linguistics at SUNY Purchase College. Following conservatory, he sang with several opera companies in New York and New Jersey, and has worked with a wide variety of conductors. 

Cantor Agar is also a composer and arranger and is inspired by a wide variety of music. He was inspired to become a cantor by his love for Judaism, Jewish music, and his interest in using music to uplift people and bring them closer to Judaism. 

Tonight we welcome another Shabbat by joining Cantor Agar in a Sephardic version of Lecha Dodi. Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

Welcoming Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh from Beth Shalom in Sacramento

This week we welcome Shabbat with Yedid Nefesh played on an oud by Jeff Swatt from Congregation Beth Shalom in Sacramento, California.

The oud is a short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped stringed instrument with 11 or 13 strings grouped in 5 or 6 courses, commonly used predominantly in the music of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries.

Congregation Beth Shalom celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 15, 2014. The congregation was formed in 1973 and 40 years later is still a thriving home to many in Sacramento's Jewish community.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom! 

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