Presenters of Shir Chadash 2026!

Looking for someone specific? Find them here:

Akiva the Believer · Alex Green · Ali Richardson · Matt Bar · Ben Romano · Maggid Jim Brulé · Daniel Cainer · Rabbi Dvir Cahana · Adrian Durlester · Steve Dropkin · Joanne Fink · Rabbi Sara Goodman · Sue Horowitz · Billy Jonas · Shira Kline · Rabbi Sandra Lawson · The Levins · Rachel Haymer · Jody Seltzer · Rabbi Anita Silvert · Rabbi Jeanne Snodgrass · Rabbi Lisa Ann Wharton

Guiding Lights

Holy Drumming

Akiva the Believer is a visionary Jewish drummer, composer and spiritual artist whose experimental soundscapes explore freedom, faith, and sacred rhythm.

Stories In Song

Daniel Cainer is a London-based musical storyteller known for his witty, poignant, and deeply Jewish songs and performances, filled with humor, insight and emotional depth.

Master Songleader & Composer

Steve Dropkin is one of the most beloved composers in contemporary Jewish music, creating melodies that are sung in synagogues and communities across the world.

Inspirational Songwriting

Sue Horowitz is a nationally recognized Jewish singer-songwriter whose music invites audiences into heartfelt reflection, joy, and connection.

Finding Joy in What’s Around

Billy Jonas is an internationally acclaimed percussionist and teaching artist who transforms everyday objects into instruments of creativity, rhythm, and communal music-making.

Weaver of Spirit

Shira Kline is a ritualist, performance artist, and spiritual leader who works in the field of sacred play and radical imagination, creating vibrant, participatory experiences filled with joy.

Praying With Our Feet

Rabbi Sandra Lawson is a pioneering voice in Jewish social justice, known for her inclusive teaching, powerful music, and groundbreaking leadership and presence.

Harmony for Humanity

Ira Levin and Julia Bordenaro Levin are an award-winning Jewish folk duo whose uplifting music celebrates kindness, connection, and the transformative power of community.

Song and Spirit

Ben Romano is the Musician in Residence at the Marlene Meyerson JCC, with over a decade of experience leading Jewish communities in song. A composer, recording artist, and children’s book author currently studying to become a cantor at AJR, he creates welcoming spaces for deep connection, joyful singing, and heartfelt musical expression.

Dance, Song & Sacred Joy

Jordan Lawrence is a cantorial soloist, creator, and Israeli dance leader based in New Orleans. Through original creations like “Broadway Shabbat” and “Swiftie Shabbat,” along with energetic modern dance routines, she inspires synagogues, schools, camps, and conferences to sing, move, and connect deeply with Jewish life.

Creativity & Sacred Community

Rabbi Lisa Ann Wharton is the founder of Shir Chadash and president of Illumin8tion. A musician, ritual innovator, and spiritual guide, she creates spaces where music, learning, and creativity deepen connection—and where people are nourished both spiritually and physically.

Creative Constellation

Transformational Storytelling

Maggid Jim Brulé is an internationally respected storyteller, death doula, and mentor whose work emphasizes individual and community spiritual healing and growth.

Piano, Visual Tefillah & Sacred Tech

Adrian Durlester is an artist and innovator who creates immersive prayer environments through visual tefillah, music, and the creative use of technology and design, sharing years of expertise with all.

Artist and Sacred Space Coordinator

Joanne Fink is an internationally recognized calligrapher, author, and spiritual artist whose work blends Jewish text, mindfulness, and visual beauty with meaning intention and spiritual depth.

A Cappella Beats

Alex Green is a platinum album-winning contemporary a cappella producer, arranger, and vocal coach whose work explores the full range of the human voice, from intricate layering to vocal percussion.

Creative Jewish Arts

Rabbi Sara Goodman is a dynamic educator and community leader who inspires Jewish learning through creativity, connection, and meaningful spiritual practice.

Telling Our Own Stories

Jody Seltzer is a writer and teacher who guides participants in exploring voice, memory, and imagination through creative writing. Her work invites reflection, storytelling, and the discovery of meaning through the written word.

The Drama of Torah

Rabbi Anita Silvert is a dynamic teacher, scholar, and facilitator known for her work in Jewish learning, community building, and connections between Torah and theater.

Movement and Growth

Rabbi Jeanne Snodgrass is a dancer and arts advocate who helps individuals and communities find connection to Jewish identity through movement, mindfulness, and expressive embodiment.

Rappers and Rabbis

Hip Hop, Torah & Collaboration

Matt Bar is a co-director of Rappers & Rabbis. His pioneering interactive hip hop education and visionary bridge-building work transforms Torah learning into dynamic, collaborative, and deeply relevant musical experiences that bring new insights to diverse communities.

Rapping Rabbi

Rabbi Dvir Cahana—known on stage as RIVIR—is the rabbinic educator of Rappers & Rabbis, an award-winning MC and battle rap champion. An innovative spiritual leader, he helps artists and communities engage Torah, prayer, and creativity through hip hop.

Voice, Groove & Expression

Rachel Haymer—known as Kol Isha—is co-director of Rappers & Rabbis, an acclaimed Jewish educator, and a cantorial soloist. A rapper, ukulele player, and internationally performing artist, she blends Jewish text with rhythm, voice, and unapologetic creative expression.

Music, Culture & Soulful Learning

Ali Richardson—known as Text Rich Ali—is co-founder of Rappers & Rabbis and a Philadelphia-based musician, educator, and multi-instrumentalist. His work blends hip hop, jazz, gospel, and African diasporic traditions into music rooted in history and soul.