Music holds a special power. Just ask Rabbi Ron Isaacs.
Apples & Honey author and rabbi emeritus of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater, New Jersey, works part-time as music therapist for patients receiving palliative care.
"I play my guitar, I sing for (and sometimes with) them, I encourage them to keep the beat with rhythm instruments, to make any special requests, even to talk about memories that the songs evoke," Isaacs explains.
The American Music Therapy Association describes music therapy as a health profession using music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. Through music therapy, clients' abilities are strengthened and can be transferred to other areas of their lives.
"Sometimes people who have not spoken in a very long time sing or hum along, or smile, or cry, or keep the beat," Isaacs describes, "Sometimes family members join us and are gratified to see their loved ones engaged in ways they are not much of the time."
It is clear that music has an undescribable power within the human brain. Our soon-to-be-released Hebrew in Harmony program harnesses music in the learning space to help students with their Hebrew and prayer practice.
Hebrew in Harmony features music from today's top Jewish musicians to encourage students to create meaning from personal and communal prayer. The flowing words help students learn Hebrew through the music.
Along with arts, movement, videos, and a full digital learning experience, this multimedia curriculum invites students to learn to sing and pray in Hebrew, as well as read, explore, and interpret prayer text.
Click here to find out how you can be the first to preview Hebrew in Harmony.
Click here to read Rabbi Ron Isaacs' full blog post.
