Rebecca Schwartz: News

P'tach Libi took a second place for best Jewish album in the 2009 Just Plain Folks Awards!

Rebecca has been chosen to participate in the First International Jewish Music Competition hosted by the 14th International Jewish Music Festival at the
Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam, The Netherlands May 9-11, 2008. All contestants have been asked to compose their interpretation of the Yiddish song "Ale Brider", as well as perform a program of original music. Picked from hundreds of applicants world-wide, 24 ensembles with 105 musicians from 15 countries will compete in the Festival.

It's here! Rebecca's new CD, "P'tach Libi - Open My Heart", will be released on January 18 at a Music Shabbat and release party at Beth Or in Maple Glen, PA. Advanced orders are being taken by the temple. (No money will be exchanged on Shabbat). All sixteen tracks are original, including a new folk version of Hashkiveinu that features the adult choir of Kol Ami and Rebecca's son, Jeff!

Rebecca sang original music and a few familiar favorites. She was also thrilled to be invited on stage to sing harmonies with noted singer/songwriter Craig Taubman.

Equipped with a five-piece band of top notch musicians, Rebecca rocked the souls of the congregants of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia with popular, traditional, and original Jewish music. There was singing, swaying, clapping, and children dancing in the aisles; a spiritually moving evening.

Rebecca played to a packed house at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA. The audience, which included both kids and adults, sang along to Rebecca's original music as well as Pesach favorites. All proceeds from the concert went to American Friends of Magen David Adom, and will be used to purchase supplies and equipment for the MDA center in Ramat Gan. Special guest Sharon Katz joined Rebecca in three songs and performed a few of her own. The concert culminated in a surprise birthday party for Rebecca, including some delicious kosher for Passover cake. It was truly an evening to remember!

Rebecca performed both her secular and liturgical music and talked about her career as part of a celebration of women and the arts. The concert was held at Spark Contemporary Art Space near Syracuse University.

Rebecca once again sang harmonies with noted Jewish composer Noam Katz. Then she and Ross M. Levy sang old favorites at the late-night kumsitz.

Ahavah Rabah (both the album and the single) were nominated in the 2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards for Best Jewish Album and Best Jewish Song, and was among the winners for Best Jewish Song.

Rebecca was honored to have been chosen out of a total of over 25,500 albums and 350,000 songs submitted from 70 countries, and excited to be in the company of such esteemed Jewish composers/artists as Craig Taubman, Sam Glaser, Julie Silver, Rabbi Shlomo & Neshama Carlebach, and Uzca.

Rebecca was commissioned by Hazzan David F. Tilman (Cong. Beth Sholom) to write a new version of "Al Hanisim" for its debut in a special Chanukah concert to be held in Elkins Park, PA on December 14, 2006. The song will be led by Hazzan Tilman and Rebecca and sung by area youth choirs.

Rebecca just returned from Duke University where she had the pleasure of singing back-up vocals for Noam Katz, and had her own stage the following evening. Her incredible back-up band consisted of these noted Jewish musicians: Josh Nelson, Joel Eglash, Kathy Gohr, and Susan Colin.

Rebecca just returned from Hamilton, Ontario, where Noam Katz and Rebecca did a Havdalah service for local NFTY kids. Then Rebecca was thrilled to open for Noam during an evening of original music, and sang harmony during Noam's set. The next day, Noam and Rebecca entertained the elderly with an hour of popular Jewish, Yiddish, and American music. A grand time was had by all!!

Even a snowstorm didn't keep people away from Rebecca's Philadelphia debut of her musical Shabbat at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, Metropolitan. The Suburban Jr. Choir sang and danced, and Rebecca was accompanied by soloist Jody Kidwell who created beautiful harmonies.

Rebecca just returned from Houston, TX, where she joined many noted Jewish musicians and singers on stage in front of thousands to sing a wonderful medley of Shabbat songs. She also sang original music on the Transcon Stage.

It's here! Rebecca's new album, "Ahavah Rabah ~ with deep love" has just been released. Seventeen of the eighteen tracks are original (including award-winning "Y'did Nefesh" and "Birkat Haneirot") with some original lyrics as well as music set to t'filot. One song was co-written with Sharon Katz of "The Peace Train" fame. Also included is Jeff Marder's award-winning "Shalom Aleichem."

Album cuts are available for listening under "Music."