“Styles ranged from folk to jazz to pop to Hasidic…they were all well crafted and useful additions to the Jewish liturgical repertoire, which is, after all, what Shalshelet is aiming for.”

“…the 15 chosen for this concert represented contributions from as far away as Uganda and Argentina and as close as Rockville and Alexandria…The variety was remarkable.”

“Now, a year and 169 submissions later – from five countries and 19 states – of solo cantorial, choral and instrumental melodies from which to choose, Shalshelet is hosting its inaugural Festival of New Jewish Liturgical Music…”

“Shalshelet’s inaugural music festival brings new sounds to ancient Jewish liturgy…they not only gave thought to the sound of the composition, but weighed equally its ability to interpret sacred text…By opening the submissions up to anyone who had a musical idea vs. well-trained musicians…these submissions were given equal consideration as the group worked to discover the core of the melody, the interpretation of text and to recognize raw talent.”

“The festival also will mark the start of disseminating the new music to synagogues throughout the country and the world…Music can bring Jews closer to their religion, and a new nonprofit is dedicated to making that happen…”

“The poets will come from the fields of Uganda and the streets of New York, but their words will echo one theme: the writings of Jewish liturgy.”

“…’Music creates a bond with the lasting values, whether love or a sense of transcendence. It brings out the human of people’…”