Hebrew in Harmony—the new prayer curriculum for 4th-6th graders—features music from today's top Jewish musicians. This is part of a series profiling some of these talented artists.
Hebrew in Harmony musician Josh Warshawsky has certainly been busy lately. With a new album released just last November and a summer camp tour underway, Warshawsky is making a name for himself as a musician, artist, and all-around Jewish advocate.
Who are your musical influences?
Ben Folds, A Great Big World, Mumford and Sons, Ed Sheeran, Sara Bareilles, Dan Nichols
What prayer most resonates with you, and why?
Mah Rabu! Judaism is all about awareness. When we see something or do something for the first time, we make ourselves aware of that moment by saying a bracha. When we see a rainbow, we say a bracha. When we meet someone for the first time, we say a bracha. Mah Rabu is all about looking around the world and being in awe of how amazing it is that we get to live in this wonderful place on this wonderful day. When you look around you and are at a loss for words to explain how you feel, the words in Hebrew to describe that feeling are "Mah Rabu Ma'asekha!" "How awesome are your creations, God!"
What is one instrument that you wish you could play?
The violin.
What's one technique that you use to engage an audience?
I love singing songs in rounds with lots of harmonies so that you can hear all of the voices and all of the parts blending together in beautiful new ways.
Listen to Josh's new album, Mah Rabu, available on iTunes and Spotify.
Visit www.behrmanhouse.com/hih to hear some of Josh's music and explore Hebrew in Harmony.
