In response to the election of Donald Trump, Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Berkeley’s Congregation Netivot Shalom and Rabbi David Paskin of Delray Beach, Florida, have assembled “There Is Hope: An Album’s Intention.” The songs are designed to “heal, to help, to bring light to others,” according to Creditor.
The album is available for free download online, and features 26 tracks performed by rabbis, cantors and Jewish song leaders from across the country, including several from the Bay Area.
Local contributors include San Francisco Congregation Emanu-El Cantor Marsha Attie, Walnut Creek Congregation B’nai Tikvah Cantor Jennie Chabon, Camp Tawonga song leader Maya Elise and others, including Creditor, who performs two songs, “Olam Chesed Yibaneh” and the title track.
The musical anthology was put together within days of the Nov. 8 presidential election. All contributing artists submitted their music for free.
Said Creditor in his liner notes, “There is an immense need for hope, now more than ever, as hatred seems to gain momentum with each passing news item. But as the Prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed destruction and violence in his lifetime, taught us: There is always hope.”
To obtain a free copy of “There Is Hope,” go to www.hopesongs.net.