Jewish music

 

Judith’s Compositions

Shalshelet Festivals
Two of Judith’s Jewish pieces – Gesher and Brich Rachamana   – were selected for the Shalshelet Festival in New York, December 2010 and feature in that year’s songbook. In 2016, Oseh Shalom and Angel Blessing/I Walk In Beauty were selected. The festival was held in Philadelphia and Judith attended; and these songs feature in their 2016 songbook and also ‘Jewish Songs for Harmony Singing’ available on this website.

Eshet Chayil
Judith was commissioned by Kolot HaLev Jewish choir in Maryland to compose a setting of Eshet Chayil for a concert due to happen in May. Because of Covid this was postponed, but Judith has worked remotely with the choir. This virtual recording of the second half of the piece was premiered at a lecture on British Jewish music given by Judith and their conductor, Cantor Ramòn Tasat on May 23rd 2021. With thanks to Cliff Braverman for creating such a beautiful film.

Shira Britannia
In 2011, having attended what was then called the MRJ (Movement for Reform Judaism) Music conference and is now called Shirei Chagigah, Judith co-founded Shira Britannia. This co-operative of British Jewish composers, creating contemporary settings of prayers and songs inspired by Jewish teachings/ideas, has been meeting and sharing songs and ideas since then, with the aim of sharing our pieces with Jewish communities worldwide. David Hoffman, Dean Staker, Alexander Massey, Jess Gold, Joseph Finlay, Alex Knapp, Emily Rose  and Alan Byers are all contributors to the group and anyone who composes Jewish music is welcome.

If you would like to include Judith’s music in your services, concerts or to record any pieces, please use the Contact link on this website. Judith is a member of JLicence, which is a central organisation making sure Jewish composers receive royalties for the use of their songs. Please do join up if you haven’t already! 

Services and Teaching

For many years Judith led the music for Or Shira services on Shabbat (Friday) evenings and for special family services at Westminster synagogue a role she has also taken at Finchley Reform Synagogue and many other communities around the UK and in the USA for various services including High Holy days and Bar and Bat Mitzvot.

She is periodically invited by various Liberal, Masorti and Reform communities and events to (re)inspire singers and teach new settings of prayers to beautify and vary services. Above all, her enabling and supportive attitude is always welcomed, to build confidence and bring out the best in those who learn from her.

If you would like to invite Judith to your community, please use the Contact link on this website.

Conference presentations

Judith is a regular presenter at Limmud conferences and regional days in the UK and has also been on the faculty of Hava Nashira and the Women Cantors’ Network Conference in the US a number of times.