Welcome to the new website! It's been an amazing year full of prayer with communities all across these great United States and here at the end of the 2017 tour, I could not be more excited to launch this new site. I hope that you find it useful, easy to navigate, and full of what you came here for. If, for any reason, it isn't - just let me know. I'm very open to feedback and would love to hear from you. Just check out the "Contact Us" page to reach out.
Our last date for 2017 was in the stunning community of Temple Beth Emeth in Mt. Sinai, NY. A concert that ended in a circle of friends, new and old, all singing our hearts out. To come into such close contact with folks and spend holy time together is wonderful. We share a lifetime with amazing people that we hopefully have the chance to cross paths with. I want to shake as many hands as I can in the time I have left, however long that may be. We're working on a tribute video showing some of the incredible communities I've had the opportunity to shake hands with and can't wait to share it with you.
Judaism continues to be an ever expanding study and the people who lift the Torah high enough for the world to see continue to be an inspiration. I couldn't be happier being home and while we fight like family sometimes, it's a holy discussion and as long as we still toast each other, we'll be in good shape. If you're interested in the story about the journey home, there was a great article published in the Forward and you can read it here: Jewish Convert Explores Faith and Belonging Through Country Music
So much is coming up soon and 2018 is shaping up to be another amazing year. There is a new album in the works, new tour dates to announce, music videos in production, and some brand new merchandise being developed. None of this would be coming into the world if it wasn't for your incredible support and response to the music.
So here on this Shabbat, I want to leave you with a video taken in McAllen, TX. When folks ask me about the Americana Shabbat service I lead, they often ask what album versions of prayers sound like in a service setting. In particular, my setting to "Shalom Aleichem", the prayer we say to welcome in the Angels. The album version has a ton of B3, Slide Guitar, etc. It's a pretty rocking track. However, the prayer service version is a little different from the concert version. So here is a video of Shalom Aleichem featuring Carly Abramson and James Platt. I hope it makes you smile.
Tread gently in the lives of others and remember to sing.
Shabboooooooos!
- Joe