ABOUT
Nationally touring music educator Jay Rapoport, RJE, takes Jewish values and stories and transforms them into "Ruach Rock," a catchy piano-pounding style influenced by Ben Folds and Billy Joel. His first album of original Jewish songs, "With All Your Heart," was released in November 2010, and since then he has traveled the country sharing his unique blend of instant sing-alongs and engaging musical storytelling. An award-winning songwriter, Jay has shared stages with Craig Taubman, Rick Recht, Kol B'seder, Josh Nelson, Michelle Citrin, Nefesh Mountain, Noah Aronson, Shira Kline and Naomi Less, and he is a featured artist on Jewish Rock Radio and JKids Radio. Jay's songs have been included on NFTY's "Ruach" Series, NewCAJE's "New Voices," URJ's "Shabbat Anthology" and PJ Library compilations, and most recently, six of his compositions were selected for Transcontinental's "Manginot: The Complete Jewish Children's Songbook, Volume 3." Jay has performed on the main stage at URJ Biennials as well as at ARJE Annual Gatherings, NewCAJE and NFTY Convention and has served on the faculty of Hava Nashira, Song Leader Boot Camp, Shabbat Shirah and URJ Camp OSRUI. Jay honed his skills as a camp songleader, touring clubs and colleges with various bands, and incorporating original music into his roles as Camp Director at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA and Youth Advisor & Educator at Congregation Rodeph Sholom in NYC. Jay studied piano and singing at Berklee College of Music and has a Master's Degree in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, where his thesis curriculum, "Ruach Rock T'filah," focused on creative prayer for teens. In June 2014 Jay began serving as the Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple Sholom of Chicago, and his second album of Jewish music, "They Tried To Get Us, We Won, Let's Rock!" was released in December 2014. In recent years, Jay has been featured on the Disney Family Holiday Singalong, received the Yad b'Yad award from the Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE) for innovative curriculum, and received funding from the Covenant Foundation for his virtual children's choir song, "La-bri'ut." His latest album, "Attitude of Gratitude," was released in January 2022, and in 2023 he became the new Director of URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy.
Contact JayRapoport@hotmail.com for booking
Follow Jay on Facebook at www.fb.com/RuachRock
PRAISE FOR "ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE"
"Jay's album is the perfect blend of light and joyful humor about what it means to live a meaningful Jewish life in these days, with a soulful and harmony filled recognition of the life saving value of community, friendship, and a commitment to bringing light to the world." - Cantor Rosalie Will
"Jay...!! This is amazing! You are a talented musician and Jewish educator. This really hit the spot tonight. Thanks for making music like this for the world." - Rabbi Dan Medwin
"Check out this new Jewish (and Jew-ish) music for all ages! So many great grooves and lots of gospel and piano pop vibes. Also, I have to say the lyrics and themes are really resonating with me right now. These songs both struggle with the all-too-real challenges of our world and stop to pay attention to its blessings (including the gift of being a parent). Personally, the way it holds both these truths is really representative of where my head is at in this pandemic low point. I suspect many others will feel the same. -Steven Chaitman
PRAISE FOR JAY RAPOPORT & RUACH ROCK
"Here's a unique take on Jewish pride...!"
-OySongs.com, on staff pick "Pushups"
"Jay's catchy lyrics are about faith and optimism, of similarities rather than differences. His liturgically informed compositions are bouncy, inspiring pedagogy (for all ages) at its best!"
-Zelda Shluker, Hadassah Magazine, May 2012
"Some of the most engaging new Jewish music out there. It's lyrical, sensitive, with a beat that makes you feel good. I like Jay!!"
-Craig Taubman
"Jay's music really rocked our congregation this summer with over 200 camp kids jammin' to these new hits! Jay is a fabulous musician, pianist and songwriter and knows how to appeal to the teens of our movement with his contemporary rhythms, singable melodies and rockin' spirit!"
-Cantor Michael Shochet, Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA
"I love it! As a Jewish educator, I am always looking for relevant, cool music like this that transmits Jewish values; quality music that our students can connect to and learn from at the same time. Our kids and our teachers love Jay's songs!"
-Tirza Arad, former Director of Education at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, NY, NY
"Jay brought a dynamic, energetic and unique program to our group. He tapped into both spirituality and creativity to really speak to our teens. He drew on the best of Judaism's tradition while maintaining an open, friendly and comfortable environment."
-Rabbi Jon Prosnit
"Jay really knows how to make Torah and Hebrew rock! In his music, he has managed to encase the pleasures, joys, and wonders of Judaism in a vernacular that will especially appeal to the younger generation. For this, he is to be greatly praised, and I hope he will continue to use his great talents to bring Yiddishkeit to Jews of all ages!"
-Larry Gevirtz, Executive Producer, ?With All Your Heart?
"Talmud Torah K'Neged Kulam is FANTASTIC!! I would LOVE to have my Temple band learn this song. I'm impressed! Keep up the good work!"
-Cantor Sally Neff, Temple Beth Torah, Upper Nyack, NY
"I enjoyed listening to the CD, it was great...and then my daughters stole it from me! I have been the recipient of Jay Rapaport's musical gifts and love of Judaism for many years. He has been singing his songs to the members of our congregation for years and we all love them. It's wonderful to hear Jay's passion for Jewish values and tradition come out in this original, creative and joyous CD!"
-Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA
"'With All Your Heart' has songs with such a catchy and fun way to learn about Judaism! Who does not want to sing along with B'chol Le'vav'cha and many others?! My kids love listening to the CD; it appeals to elementary kids to tweens to adults. Jay has such a wonderful voice and we look forward to his concert here!"
-Barbara Brot Bailey, K-3 Principal at TRS Religious School, Falls Church, VA
"Jay Rapoport showed our students how creativity and a love of music can inspire a great prayer experience!"
-Rabbi Lisa Kingston
"I truly loved Jay's album! I love the catchy tunes as well as the Jewish/Gospel fusion, which is something that is very unique to the world of Jewish music."
-Rob Aronson, Jewish songleader
"I wanted to let you know how much my family has enjoyed the CD! We have been listening to it non-stop since we got it and we just love it. My daughter especially screams "Jay!" when one of his songs comes on in the car and she can't help but sing along."
-Elisabeth Galotto
"I love his version of that prayer 'On This Day,' which we included when I was rabbi each year since he wrote it."
-Rabbi Emerita Sylvia Scholnick, Temple Beth El, Williamsburg VA
"From 'Open My Lips' to 'Pushups' to 'Ruach Rockin', Jay Rapoport infuses his music with ruach that is contagious!"
-Babette Cohn, TRS 4-6 Assistant Principal, Falls Church, VA
"Makes me want to get up and dance!!"
-Nancy Reder, Jay's mother