This album is a collection of original melodies that Lisa wrote for existing Hebrew prayers as lyrics. Her soulful melodies sung in her rich alto voice serve to elevate and animate the traditional Jewish prayers and bring them to life. She encourages listeners to add their own voices and variations because she believes that the resonance of collective voices is at the heart of the spiritual experience. It is Lisa’s hope that Jewish congregations will add her melodies to their services.

Lisa started creating new melodies for prayers for the Kabbalat and Ma’ariv services she leads monthly in her home congregation in Upstate New York. Six of these melodies appear on this album, one is sung in English. Lisa also utilizes lyrics from Jewish table songs, as well as selected lines from the Song of Songs for the lyrics of the love song “Ani L’Dodi” [My Beloved is Mine]. Two songs utilize a single Hebrew word to create a meditative prayer chant. Both are virtues: “Hodaya” which means [thanksgiving] and “Rachamim” which means [mercy]. Another song is a nigun, Hebrew for a “wordless melody” because it uses a syllable to carry the melody. This nigun, called “Yona’s Nigun,” is named in honor of a favorite teacher with whom Lisa has studied Modern Hebrew.

When asked how she composes her melodies, Lisa says that she looks for unique and unexpected melodic intervals that will animate the text in new ways. She composes using her guitar, often through improvisational exploration, and records voice memos whenever a particular melody inspires her. The folks who participate in her Friday night services will have already heard and sung some of these melodies. Lisa is excited to debut the rest of her melodies on this album.

HODAYA – The Songs

1. Tov L’hodot/Mah Gadlu [Psalm 92] | טוב להודות/מה גדלו* – It is Good [to Thank G-d] / How Great [Are Your Works] 3:07 

2. Lechu Neranena [Psalm 95] | לכו נרננה* – Let Us Go and Sing [to G-d] 3:00 

3. Hava Nashira | הבה נשירה – Let Us Sing [a Song of Praise] 3:34

4. Hodaya | הודיה – A prayer chant of Thanksgiving 5:12

5. P’tach Libi | פתח לבי* – Open My Heart [to Your Torah] 3:01

6. Oseh Shalom | עושה שלום – Make Peace 4:27

7. Modah Ani | מודה אני – I Give My Thanks 4:01

8. Yedid Nefesh | ידיד נפש* – Beloved of My Soul 3:21

9. Romemu | רוממו* – Exalt G-d 2:36

10. Min Hameitzar | מן המצר  – Out of Distress [I called to G-d] 3:07

11. Rachamim | רחמים  – A prayer chant of Mercy 3:48

12. Yona’s Nigun – A wordless melody 4:30

13. Lecha Dodi | לכה דודי* – Come My Beloved 6:13

14. Ani L’Dodi | אני לדודי – My Beloved is Mine 3:40

15. Hashkiveinu | השכיבנו* – Allow Us to Sleep 2:51

16. Shalom Aleichem | שלום עליכם – Peace to You 3:57

Total Elapsed Time: 1:37:21

*Lyrics drawn or adapted from Jewish prayers for Friday night Kabbalat and Ma’ariv services.