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Rabbi Danielle Upbin - News & Reviews

Rabbi's new CD offers fusion of faith, culture

The public is invited to a performance and celebration for the release of Rabbi Danielle Upbin's new CD, Reveal the Light.
The event will be on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom, 1325 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater, where Rabbi Upbin and her husband, Rabbi David Weizman, serve the congregation. A $5 donation is suggested and refreshments will be served.

"This recording is an invitation into prayer. My hope is that as you listen, you will join me in chanting," Rabbi Upbin writes on her CD notes.

Many of the songs are based on the liturgy, Talmud or a biblical passage with music by the rabbi. The tracks include Yehi Shalom (Let There be Peace), Hashkivenu (Lay Me Down) and Oseh Shalom.

"Lift your voice and draw closer to the Mystery. I am grateful for the many souls who brought this project into fruition," Rabbi Upbin says.

Among those she credits are well-known local jazz musician Fred Johnson and keyboardist and percussionist Jay Klein who also helped with production.
Klein said that Rabbi Upbin "shared with me a vision to record a collection of songs that through melody, lyric, and soundscape bring together faith and culture."

He said she wanted to do this in the Judaic music tradition, but include other cultures and faiths that have enriched her journey as a rabbi. "She believed, and I agree with her," Klein writes, "that by blending eclectic sounds and culture with Jewish traditional melody and lyric, she would make a statement about her wish for the world to come together in peace and for people to explore their commonalties instead of their differences."

Musical gourds, African stringed instruments and hand drums, Cuban box drums, tablas, clay pots, finger cymbals and a shiruti box are mixed with contemporary instruments for this CD.

Johnson praised the rabbi for embodying " the knowledge, character and amazing artistic gift that can help lead us to a place of deeper inner peace."

Rabbi Upbin provides lead vocals. Additional vocals are by Lily Lucey, Johnson, Tymber Wolf, Harriet Rudich, Talia Sager and Dana Garnica.

Besides Johnson and Klein, instrumentalists are Michael Cripe and Blake Lenett on guitar, Daryl Wicker on electric bass and keyboard and Tim Burniman on piano.

Rabbi Upbin also thanked Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Clearwater, where the recording was made, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Joyce Liu,Andi Szmiga, Congregation Beth Shalom and her family.

For more information, call the synagogue at (727) 531-1418.

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