The Power of the "Community Sing"

One of the first things I did after moving to Santa Fe in December was to join the Lensic Performing Arts Center to enjoy the outstanding music and arts events they bring to town.  I was excited to get notice about the coming of the American Spiritual Ensemble to Santa Fe in later January. The ensemble is described in this way: “The American Spiritual Ensemble performs dynamic renditions of classic spirituals and Broadway numbers. Rich in compassion and spirit, ASE's performances exemplify the deep resonance of song; the collective power of their voices together is nothing short of magnificent.”   

Unfortunately, I cannot attend their concert on 1/24, but I was excited to learn of the ensemble’s special program the night before: “The American Spiritual Ensemble invites local choirs, church groups, and individuals to join them in a community sing. Any and all are welcome to attend this powerful and joyous celebration of song.  

I signed up immediately. Their invitation embodies what SWF tries to do at our Shabbat gatherings. We are restoring in the liberal Jewish community the idea of the community sing through our Musical Shabbat Gatherings. We seek to sing inclusively, inviting everyone to participate. We seek to make the vast Jewish playlist of sacred songs and music accessible and learnable.  Like the American Spiritual Ensemble, we believe community singing is a powerful way to express faith, fellowship, solidarity, and spirituality.   

SWF also highlights the distinct cultural religious heritage of Jewish song. Community singing in Judaism took place around the Shabbat table. The community songs of the Shabbat table consist of passages from the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic sayings, medieval piyutim (liturgical poems), Yiddish melodies, Ladino poetry, Israeli folk tunes, and American Jewish camping hits. All this is a precious heritage which we seek to sustain and spread through our accessible gatherings.   

In 2025 Shabbat with Friends NM has committed to doing a Musical Shabbat Gathering and Community Sing (Shirah) twice a month, once in the ABQ area and once in the Santa Fe area. Our gatherings are free, always including a Shabbat meal, open to the community, intergenerational, and child friendly. Come and join us to eat, sing, and connect.  

You can check out the upcoming SWF Musical Shabbat Gatherings here.  

Rabbi Dov Gartenberg