שִׂימוּ לֵב עַל הַנְּשָׁמָה לֶשֶׁם שְׁבוֹ וְאַחְלָמָה
וְאוֹרָה כְּאוֹר הַחַמָּה שִׁבְעָתַיִם כְּאוֹר בֹּקֶר
Take heart. Pay heed to your own soul. Opal, amethyst, and gold,
As bright as is the sun's warm glow, far brighter than the morning.
“Odeh La-El” by R. Shma’ya Kosson
About Kedmah: The Rising Song Piyyut Project
Kedmah is an ensemble of musicians and prayer leaders excavating the power and beauty of Mizrahi Jewish expression through ancient poetry and song. Their debut album, Simu Lev, is currently in production. With your support, the album will be released on Rising Song Records in the spring of 2024.
Led by Rabbi Yosef Goldman and Yoni Avi Battat, Kedmah honors the artists’ Iraqi, Syrian, and Yemenite ancestry in conversation with their intersecting musical influences. Their interactive performances, workshops, and recordings allow listeners to experience the spiritual and emotional depth of Middle Eastern piyyut (liturgical poetry) and the ages-old tradition of Arab melodies that adorn them. Part educational initiative, part performance group, the social and pedagogical impact of this project is strengthened by a commitment to musical creativity, historical accuracy, spirituality, and public performance at the highest level.
Building on the fragments of the Mizrahi musical traditions that they grew up with, Yoni and Yosef have made a concerted effort to reclaim ownership of the texts and melodies that brought meaning to the lives of their ancestors. By presenting this music in modern Jewish communities that have been historically dominated by Jews of European descent, Kedmah is expanding the diversity of American Jewish expression and centering the Mizrahi voices that have been historically marginalized in the US. The group’s first public performance took place on November 16th at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, and was transformative for performers and audience alike.
About the Album
In their first release, Simu Lev (“Take to Heart”), Kedmah presents settings of piyyutim with a call to tend to the inner life- to the stirrings of our soul, the neshamah, and its yearning to connect to the Source of Life. The settings are from the Syrian, Iraqi, Sephardic Jerusalem, Turkish, Moroccan, and Yemenite traditions.
The recording features Yoni Battat (oud/viola/violin/vocal), and Rabbi Yosef Goldman (vocal) together with singers Anat Halevy Hochberg and Rabbi Jessica Kate Mayer. They are joined by guest artists Yahala Lachmish (vocals), Joey Weisenberg (electric fretless bass), and April Centrone (percussion).
Why now?
In this painful moment of divisive rhetoric, violence, and polarization in the Jewish community, this initiative is particularly well-suited to complicate and nuance the dichotomy of Jew and Arab, providing another lens to consider the history of Middle-Eastern Jews and the beautiful cultural overlaps with their historical neighbors, especially Muslims. More so than many other avenues, the compelling aesthetic of these living traditions introduces new positive associations with Arab culture and expression through a meaningful and transformative engagement with our own humanity.
How can you help?
There are significant costs associated with launching an ambitious project of this scale. By contributing to this campaign, you are helping us to cover the costs of travel, housing, production, and distribution, including compensation for the extraordinary cultural workers that brought their immense talents and hearts into service of this music.
All contributions are made through Hadar and are tax deductible.
The team includes:
Yoni Avi Battat: Oud, Viola, Violin, Vocals, Music Director, Producer
Rabbi Yosef Goldman: Vocals, Rabbinic Consultant, Producer
Joey Weisneberg: Fretless Electric Bass, Producer
Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer: Vocals
Anat Halevy Hochberg: Vocals
Yahala Lachmish: Guest Vocalist
April Centrone: Guest Percussionist
Josh Fleet: Operational Support
Shmulie Lowenstein: Video
Don Goodwin: Recording Engineer, Mixing and Mastering
Shany Dvora: Graphic Design
Rittenhouse Soundworks: Recording Studio
Our budget is sitting at $30,000, and we’re counting on you to help us get there! Any amount raised above $30,000 will support future recording projects of the Rising Song Institute. **All donations will be processed by the Hadar Institute and are tax deductible.**
Even if you’re not in the financial position to donate, we’d still appreciate your help in sharing this campaign with others who might like to be a part of making this project a reality!
Join us in funding this work. With your help, we can transform and diversify the soundscape of Jewish expression in America! Click on the "GIVE" button to the right to see all giving levels and perks, including beautiful printed materials, and other merchandise!