Rebecca Schwartz: Reviews/Press/Quotes

"Dear Rebecca,
Thank you for all of your hard work to prepare our son for his bar mitzvah and for lending your voice so beautifully to his service. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house during 'L'dor Vador'. What a perfect culmination to his years of choir and study with you. We are so very lucky you've decided to make Kol Ami your spiritual home, and our son is lucky to have you to continue to help him find his voice. Much love, Rachel"

"THIS SERMON IS DEDICATED TO REBECCA SCHWARTZ IN APPRECIATION FOR HER GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION THROUGH HER MUSIC

Music has the capacity to bring people together. It is something that unites rather than divides.

So, how did I get here? About five years ago, I received a call asking if I could do a Shabbat service. My bat mitzvah was in 1998 and I didn’t think I was able to remember very much. I struggled through the services and finally developed my own Shabbat Booklet and the music selection so we wouldn’t have to skip around. I began to search for new music because the traditional melodies were not inspiring me. I searched online for literally months. So, I decided to investigate Shabbat Jewish Folk music melodies, and eventually I came upon Rebecca Schwartz. I listened to some of the music samples that were on her website and on April 3, 2009, I ordered the songbook and 2 CD set. Then I ordered her third CD. From the moment I heard her voice, I knew that this was the beginning of an exciting path toward my spiritual journey.

Rebecca is our featured artist at Temple Beth Am. We play her music and we all sing along with her. It was a slow start for me, but I noticed a great improvement in my Hebrew and the feelings I felt when singing the songs with her. Her music brings out my spiritual joy and touches the deepest recesses of my heart. She has helped me with the order of our Shabbat service and Chanukah service, study recordings and chanting. She has been here for me when no one else was willing to share their skills and experience.

Rebecca has inspired me to such greatness through her music that I decided to study for my Para Rabbinic Certification Program with the Jewish Institute for Religious Instruction of e-synagogue. I didn’t know if I could do this, but I could hear her voice in my head saying, “Listen – from my mouth to G-d’s ear, enough already, send the good Rabbi a check and get started”. I will be with you, my friend, to guide you through with my music. The next morning I contacted Rabbi Ginsburg and the rest is history.

I consider her friendship to be a rare privilege. Hashem has blessed her because she shares her great gift of music with me and all of us at Temple Beth Am in Hemet. May G-d hold her soul (Neshamah) ever so gently so her music will always resonate into the hearts to all that hear her.

Happy Birthday, Rebecca, from all of us at Temple Beth Am. Thanks again for you kindness, generosity, and loving spirit."

"Dear Rebecca,
Thank you for adding your energy, your creativity and your voice to 'Another Song Will Rise - A Tribute to Debbie Friedman z"l.' I must say that your involvement in (the) children's medley was priceless. And, the energy that you brought to 'Miriam's Song' was infectious. Thanks for being a part of this significant community event."

"Dear Rebecca,
Thank you for the High Holy Day music. It was lovely and uplifting. You have the remarkable knack of being part of the Service rather than a center of attention. That, in itself, is a gift."

Regarding the Celebrate Israel concert on 4/18/10: "Hi Rebecca. I can't thank you enough for all that you have done. The concert was just wonderful! I know that everyone enjoyed it. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Israel's 62nd birthday. You made it very special, while helping to save lives in Israel. You are very special. I hope you know how deeply grateful we, at AFMDA, are to you and your friends for this magnificent effort."

Rebecca's "Sim Shalom" and "Only a Matter of Time"

2009 Just Plain Folks Music Awards
Winners Announced!

(Rebecca is thrilled to be among the winners for Best Jewish Album.)

"Dear Rebecca,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I just couldn't get the different words to work in your beautiful tune--but you could. I especially like the way you hold off on the "ul'chol makom" until the repetition of the chatimah. That way, when you pause and say "ul'chol makom," it really expands God's Presence to the place where your voice is heard. It is really quite stirring, and I'm looking forward to it helping us intensify our kavannah."

"Dear Rebecca,
You were absolutely delightful. You have a beautiful gift. Your voice is very beautiful, you sing with so much feeling and your music is wonderful and very engaging. Your presence and skill in leading us in prayer was so special and done with great sincerity. The spirit of Shabbat was felt by all.

Your sensitivity to both choirs was wonderful. They really appreciated you. The choir sang especially well because you inspired them with your beautiful music and especially your warmth. The congregation loved the entire evening. They are still talking about how they loved your sermon in song.

Thank you again for being here not only to honor us with your music, but to also grace us with your presence. It was a pleasure to work with you."

This is a broadcast from a Spanish internet radio show that featured Rebecca's "P'tach Libi ~ Open My Heart". For those who don't speak Spanish, much of what's said comes from Rebecca's bio, and talks about the musicians who played on the album, along with the individual names of the featured songs.

"Rebecca - Thanks so much for your participation in the annual Early Childhood Conference. Your presentation enhanced the learning for our teachers. Comments from the participants included 'Great musician - enjoyed the class', and 'great list of resources'. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to the early childhood community."

"My name is Joy. I am a 49 year old Reform Jewish mother. I am a huge fan of yours. Your voice is so beautiful. I first heard you on the Shabbat Anthology CDs. Then I googled you. I have all 3 of your Jewish CDs. And I have bought them for other friends. They have brought me hours of pleasure and peace. I love Jewish/Hebrew music. It touches my soul. And I find that your singing of them is very spiritual. I am very envious of your congregants for being able to hear you every Shabbat. WOW!"

"Dear Rebecca,
What a sublime joy to hear your Kol Nidre rendition at services this year. The combination of your beautiful, lustrous voice, the mournful cello sounds and the surprise adult choir voices made the service a most unique experience. After your High Holiday cantorial contributions to services we all realize how fortunate Kol Ami is to welcome you to our professional staff. Looking forward to being enthralled at future services."

"Five years ago, a woman at my synagogue told me that she gave guitar lessons and started teaching me to play. She became much more than just a teacher since then; one of my mom’s best friends, a mother figure, a mentor and a role model.

It was her guitar music that brought my parents and me downstairs to the Saturday morning minyan. The sound of her guitar brought me, not only to her, but to become part of a community that has truly become my family. It was because of her that I went to Kutz. The friends I made and the knowledge I gained over the three summers I spent at Kutz Camp would never have happened. And I would not be who I am today.

I look around the room, at my self-appointed grandparents, advisors and family friends. Then I look at Rebecca. As much as it makes me sad that she is leaving, she has given me so much. And more than anything I want to thank you, Rebecca, for what you have given me; tools to make a retirement home resident smile, tools to be confident, and an immense network of friends and family. I hope you know how much we all love and treasure your contributions to all of our lives. Thank you. And may you continue to energize the spark in all those around you. And may you never loose your own spark which drives you forward in all your adventures of life."

"Earlier in our service our liturgy included the Mi Chamochah-the rejoicing of the Israelites as they crossed through the sea. The prayer is actually a song taken directly from Exodus. It has been put to beautiful music and has become part of our daily worship.

But in the book of Joshua there is nearly an identical story of the crossing of the Jordan River but it is not a song and we do not recite it daily.

And so we learn of the power and majesty of music. It is the melody that enables so many of our prayers to rise to heaven.

Our worship community has been blessed that so many of our prayers have indeed risen to G-d inspired by the sweet inspirational singing – some even of original melodies – of our dear Rebecca.

We extend our fondest wishes to her as she sets forth on new paths. May this Shabbat remind us of all that she has brought to our service, and may we, like Rebecca, always have a song on our lips, a smile on our face, and a melody in our hearts."

"Notable accomplishment for composer Rebecca Schwartz, who was selected to take part in the first international Jewish music competition hosted by the 14th International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam this weekend. Tiptoe through the tulips and grab a bouquet of 'best honors' while you're at it, Becca."

"Hi Rebecca,
I want to thank you so much for playing at Jonah’s service on Saturday night. You are AMAZING!! Having you there gave the service all of the warmth that we wanted. Everyone raved about you and your beautiful voice. As you know, I was on the fence about whether or not it was necessary to have you there. It was the “icing on the cake” - it made a beautiful evening absolutely perfect!!! Thanks so much for being there."

"Hi Rebecca,
I can't stop listening to your new album. You are really connected...WOW!!! I'm even singing D'ror Yikra around the house and I never really sang that before. Only a Matter of Time is simply divine and your Elohai. Everyone loved the Mizmor Shir. Thank you for filling my heart with such inspiration and beauty...it's important for you to know how effective your music is. Everyone is excited to get your cd...keep inspiring us."

"Dear Ms. Schwartz:
On behalf of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Volunteers for Israel, I want to thank you so much for coming to entertain our group recently. It was a real pleasure to listen to you - to your singing and your accompaniment and your explanations. You really held the audience in the palm of your hand. It was a most enjoyable evening, and we thank you so much! This was our first meeting of the season, and you certainly got us off to a delightful start!"

A snippet from a Crane Lake songleaders' song session at Hava Nashira 2007, featuring Rebecca, Nick Burka, Jona Muchin, and Sara Kheel

"Dear Rebecca,
I could not end this night without writing to tell you how much pleasure you gave (us) at tonight's concert. You were absolutely wonderful in every way; your voice, your music and your personality that fuses it together. You are one charming, talented lady!! So please keep writing and singing for us. Congratulations on a great performance!!"

"The music the temple was using was very hard to read, some from an old hymnal copied many times. At first, I started looking through the pianist’s folder and the plan was to replace old copies with good, clean, easy to read music. It also made it difficult for me to read because I could not read the transliteration. The first song I found that was a match was your “Yigdal.” I also liked how you put your inspiration for the song, the English interpretation and the Hebrew on the music. When I heard “Yigdal” I knew that the singer at the temple would probably like it. Sure enough – she LOVED IT! Then I started listening to all the songs I could find that matched the ones in the folder (primarily Shabbat music) and I kept coming back to your music because it was the most singable and easy to learn. I have found others as well, but I have purchased yours the most. The other lady who sings at the temple specifically e-mailed me back about the “Sim Shalom.” She said it was “awesome!” They are excited about all the new music."

2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards
Winners Announced!

(Rebecca is thrilled to be among the winners for Best Jewish Song.)

"Hi Rebecca,

I have recently been downloading songs from oySongs.com and discovered you. I have downloaded 24 of your songs, mostly from The Light of Shabbat and Ahavah Rabah. You have such a beautiful and inspiring voice and a wonderful talent for writing...simply DIVINE. I facilitate a Kabbalah study group in Maine and I usually sing a lot of the prayers like Y'did Nefesh, Yih'yu L'ratzon and Modim. I'm now learning your tunes so we can have a variety for these age-old songs. I wanted to write you and tell you how inspiring you are and thank you for sharing your gift with the world. With prayer and song I know we can all change it for the better."

"Relaxing and uplifting, Rebecca's music creates a beautiful atmosphere. I was amazed at how the songs can affect even someone who doesn't celebrate the traditions and transport the listener to another place. Whether you are looking for Hebrew music, or just interested in being moved by songs with real spirit, Rebecca will touch your soul. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"