Stories @ CSI

On January 16, 2023 the evening of MLK Day, Congregation Shearith Israel became both the concert stage and the "recording studio" for an extraordinary performance of new Jewish music by composer/singer Eliana Light. Along with an incredibly talented group of handpicked musicians — many from Atlanta — Light led us, the audience, and her band, in a series of songs that were recorded right inside our sanctuary! The result will be Light's newest album of original music. 

Light has a magical way of connecting people through song, illuminating the brilliance of our texts and traditions. On this thrilling evening we learned new melodies to familiar liturgical texts, belted out a new take on the Passover song Dayenu, hummed haunting niggunim, and sent a collective message of prayer and intention skyward. 

Eliana Light long had a dream to record an album with the participation of a live audience, and CSI delivered. We boldly and bravely learned her melodies and magical words, and joined our voices together! Deepest thanks to our own Ori Salzberg for producing and filming the live recording session. Also to our homegrown Atlanta musicians, Drew Cohen, Bonnie Levine, Michael Levine, Sammy Rosenbaum, and Ariel Wolpe, joined by Coleen Dieker, Chava Mirel, and Sam Rotenberg. 

Souls were touched. Voices were raised to the heavens. We can't wait to hear the final album. Equally exciting — you can help support the production of the album by being a funder! Click HERE to contribute.