Rock Shabbat Services
Thanks to the generosity of Dennis & Phyllis Malinger, in honor of their brother, we have the Alan J. Malinger Rock Shabbat Fund. Three to four times a year, we bring in Jewish artists to shake up Shabbat at Temple Shalom.
We've always been a musical congregation - and yet, there is something wonderfully irreverent about having a live band or musician on the bimah. And it's clear from the attendance and participation that the congregation loves it!
But is Rock Shabbat really so new and different? In some ways, yes. The Torah never envisioned electric guitars or drum kits during prayer. But it did envision musical instruments. Psalm 150, written two millennia ago, says "Halleluhu b'teika shofar, b'nevel v'chinor - Praise God with blasts of the horn, with harp and lyre" when describing an orchestra that played in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
Jewish music has always evolved with the times. That's why Yemenite Jewish music and Polish Jewish music sound so different - they grew up in different parts of the world and were heavily influenced by the surrounding cultures. So when we bring in new instruments, and write new melodies, we are following in the footsteps of our ancestors who did the same. We are drawing from our culture and imbuing it with sanctity, giving Jewish meaning to something that already speaks to us.
Can you really "rock" Shabbat? You sure can! Judaism teaches us that in every generation, we should "Sing to God a new song." There is nothing more Jewish than what we do on these Friday nights.
Upcoming Events
November 13, 2026 - Cantor Jordan Goldstein
(they/he) was ordained in 2023 by the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at HUC-JIR. A musician, educator, and community builder, they travel nationally supporting Jewish communities through worship leadership, musical mentorship, and new liturgical innovation, with a focus on diversity and inclusion. Previously cantor at Congregation Beth Chaim in Princeton Junction, NJ, Goldstein has also worked extensively as a song leader, educator, and activist in Jewish spaces across the country, including at multiple URJ camps and BBYO conventions. They co-founded Kol HaChaverim, an online LGBTQIA+ Jewish music community, and Project Harmony, an interfaith choir initiative. Goldstein is proudly bisexual and non-binary, and was among the first openly trans and non-binary cantors ordained. They currently live in Brooklyn, NY.
February 26-27, 2027 - Yo Calev Jean
What happens when a hip-hop producer from Atlanta discovers truth in the Torah? Calev Jeantean (formerly Demar) shares his unbelievable journey from the music industry and Christianity to Orthodox Judaism - all sparked by one comment on Twitter. From studio fame to faith and family, Calev opens up about identity, race, courage, and spirituality, combining his Haitan and Caribbean roots, revealing how two hours of daily study transformed his life forever. This is a story of truth over comfort, faith over fame, and the power of one small moment to change everything. Friday night story and Q&A; Saturday night concert.
April 30, 2027 - Rick Recht
Rick Recht is one of the most influential and celebrated Jewish artists and leaders of our time. His innovations in Jewish music, media, and leadership training have had a profound impact on the fabric of Jewish life. Recht is the national celebrity spokesman for PJ Library and the founder and Executive Director of Songleader Boot Camp (SLBC) – a premiere national leadership training conference. He is also the founder and Executive Director of Jewish Rock Radio (JRR) and JKids Radio, the first high-caliber, 24/7 international Jewish music radio networks. Additionally, Recht serves as Artist in Residence at United Hebrew Congregation in St. Louis, Missouri.