WHAT IS THE SWF NIGUN SONG CIRCLE?
A Collaboration of Shabbat with Friends with the Hadar Community Groups Initiative
“A nigun transcends words, allowing us to express what cannot be said in ordinary language. Words make distinctions — they define and separate. Melody, by contrast, gives voice to the soul. It is expansive, unifying, and beyond limitation.”
Shabbat with Friends is delighted to share that we have been awarded a grant from Hadar Institute’s Community Groups Initiative to establish a Nigun Song Circle here in New Mexico.
This new circle will bring together voices for soulful, wordless singing and deep connection. We will sing nigunim (plural of nigun) — Jewish spiritual melodies — as well as Jewish folk and devotional music from the rich treasury of Jewish song. Nigunim emerged in the 18th century through the spiritual singing traditions of Hasidic Judaism, and they continue to uplift, inspire, and unite communities today.
With this grant, the SWF Nigun Circle joins a growing network of communities across the country who are drawing on the resources and inspiration of Hadar’s Rising Song Institute to build joyful, musical Jewish life.
The Nigun Song Circle will meet at least eight times from November 2025 through April 2026. Our intention is to learn and grow together, building a shared repertoire of at least twenty melodies — singing with joy, harmony, and a deep sense of community. The Nigun Song Circle participants will also join our SWF Musical Shabbat Gatherings to share their songs and to enhance the joy of singing at these events.
We invite people who would like to join us to contact Rabbi Dov Gartenberg Convener, Shabbat with Friends 📧 dov@shabbatwithfriends.org. 📞 505-500-9040.
Sessions of upcoming Nigun circles will be announced in the Calendar/RSVP page.