Beth Schafer: Press

Check out story on Beth in Washington Jewish Week.

"...Thank you so much for a wonderful weekend. I have gotten lots of calls and emails from congregants who all had a wonderful time and were inspired by you and your music. Sunday's recording session was also fantastic. The entire process was so interesting and every child in the Religious School felt included and important. I can't wait to hear the finished product...Once again, a million thanks from a grateful congregation.

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Yours was my last review of the day and you really lifted my mood. Great job of blending music with the overall sentiment of the song...you really had me hooked. Keep it up and keep exploring and sending out the good vibes!

"...Schafer isn’t some bima ice queen throwing out rabbinical wisdom; this is a woman who has a deep compassion for what it means to be human and its accompanying challenges..." To read the whole megilla of a review, click the link below.

Click here to read an interview Beth did with this Jewish Women's website blogger.

I wanted to express my gratitude for a beautiful evening of worship. The way the kids gravitated to you immediately and saw the kindness in your soul, told it all.

We are very fortunate that you have a special connection to Temple Beth Orr through mutual friends and hope that the future brings you back to us soon. As your melodies provided comfort and joy to the hearts of our congregation and choirs, so may you continue your work of tikkun olam through music.

B'Shalom,
Susan

Music will ring through the halls of Temple B'nai Israel as the Jewish congregation continues Hanukkah Weekend today and Sunday. Contemporary Jewish recording artist Beth Schafer is helping the temple celebrate Hanukkah with a Shabbat service and music workshop today and a concert tonight. Scha-fer will visit with the congregation's young people Sunday during the temple's Religious School.

Temple member Ann Dee Lee said the congregation had been trying to get Schafer to come to Oklahoma, but her schedule was always crowded. Lee said she and other Hanukkah Weekend organizers were pleased when Shafer agreed to come during the holiday.

"It's a double blessing,” Lee said.

"She is one of the best contemporary Jewish musicians on the scene today.”

In a phone interview from her home in Orlando, Fla., Schafer said it is nice to be appreciated by the Oklahoma City metro Jewish community. She said that spending the first part of Hanukkah with new friends in Oklahoma will make the visit extra special.

"My most positive experiences have come from smaller communities throughout the country,” Schafer said.

"I look forward to sharing time with all these people. It's the combination of the culture, the music and the expectation.”

Rabbi Barry Cohen said the weekend promises to be a time for congregation members to celebrate the holiday with their temple family.

"Hanukkah is such a family-friendly holiday. This is a chance to come together to celebrate being Jewish, to dedicate ourselves to being Jewish.”


Making musical connections
Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish festival, which began at sundown Friday. The holiday commemorates the victory of a band of Jews, the Maccabees, against Greek-Syrian occupiers in 165 B.C. The holiday also commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
Schafer, 38, was scheduled to help lead Shabbat services with Cohen on Friday, followed by a mass menorah lighting and Hanukkah food, crafts and other activities. Hanukkah is typically marked by the lighting of the menorah (candelabra) each night of the holiday. Other traditional festive activities include playing the dreidel game for Hanukkah gelt — foil-wrapped chocolate coins. Also during Hanukkah, it is traditional to serve foods cooked in oil, such as potato latkes or pancakes and doughnuts.

Meanwhile, Schafer is to lead the Sisterhood Shabbat services at 9:30 a.m. today and conduct a musical Torah study. At noon, Schafer is to lead a workshop, "How to Bring Contemporary Music to our Worship Services” with the temple's ritual/worship and music/choir committees.

Schafer said her music brings her into contact with many congregations across the country — not just Jewish, but Christian as well.

She said music provides connection in many ways and for many congregations, regardless of the faith they uphold.

"It's not threatening. It's participatory. It connects you to a time, a place and an event. It has the power to connect you to the people around you, and it has the power to connect you to the divine — like no one else.”

As a lifelong lover of music and a cantorial leader at her home congregation, Temple Shir Shalom in central Florida, Schafer said her goal for the weekend will be helping Temple B'nai Israel reinvigorate the musical components of its services.

"There will be an infusion of freshness, and that's going to unfold in a lot of different ways.”

Cohen said organizers of the special weekend hope Schafer's visit will be enlightening as well as fun.

"We're trying to present to the congregation musical styles that exist in other parts of the country, plus she's such a wonderful entertainer,” he said.

"We want to always have our congregation connected with other Reform congregations.”

Many people wouldn’t put “American Idol” and Jewish music in the same sentence.

However, Beth Schafer, winner of “American Idol Underground,” has changed all that.

“American Idol Underground” is an online extension of the popular Fox series, “American Idol.” Emerging artists of any genre can post their music for online listeners to vote. Schafer has been singing and playing the guitar since she was only 6 years old. She is a part-time cantor at Temple Shir Shalom in Oviedo, Fla., and for the last six years has been playing with her band.

When Schafer first learned about “American Idol Underground,” she was very touched to see that there was a “Faith Based” category. Schafer, who writes in both English and Hebrew, submitted two English songs. She chose “Still Small Voice” and “Love Multiplies,” because of their universal, spiritual themes.

During the six-month-long contest, voters had the opportunity to listen to her songs and rate them. Not surprisingly, both of her songs placed in the top 10. From more than 600 submitted songs, Beth’s entries placed numbers 1 and 2. Writing all her own music, Schafer has a strong ability to take the time to stop, listen, and look at the world.

“I am very sensitive to what goes on around me,” Schafer explains, noting that “There are almost 100 inspirations every day.” She confided that many of her ideas even pop up while driving her car or taking a shower.

Each song that Schafer writes has a strong sense of purpose. She wants her songs to emphasize, “The world is in need of repair.”

Hoping her songs will bring people of different faiths and beliefs together, Schafer focuses on “ . . . what we have in common.” Schafer believes music can cross boundaries and “reach Jews and non-Jews beyond synagogue walls.” Schafer will perform in Houston at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, at Temple Emanu El. Her music can be purchased at www.bethschafer.com. According to Schafer, “American Jewish music is changing. People usually define it as Hebrew school or praying, but I am trying to redefine Jewish music.” Schafer is doing just that, one song at a time.

Whoever said that “music speaks louder than words” had it right. Effective music is one of the reasons that people leave a worship service uplifted. One of my teachers, Rabbi Jakob Petuchowski of blessed memory, used to say that you could determine the effectiveness of the worship experience by how long people lingered afterwards, especially for the oneg Shabbat or Kiddush (social gathering following services).

While I don’t follow American Idol or reality shows, I was intrigued when I heard about an alternative American Idol program for religious musicians and singers: a faith-based category for American Idol Underground. Jewish singer Beth Schafer won hands down as reported on YNet. Her music is insightful and engaging, easy to access and easy to sing.

Perhaps her music can function as a bridge from outreach to inreach, to help those who feel on the outside feel like they are more on the inside.

Beth Schafer successfully blends passionate vocals, intelligent lyrics and a positive message in her music. She is an engaging singer/songwriter who is capable of expanding her musical range without ever losing sight of her acoustic roots.

On "The Quest & the Question"
[Beth's] voice, writing, and arranging all are relaxed, warm, honest, and confident. The style is sophisticated folk-rock with a touch of country; the overall effect is that of a Jewish Mary Chapin Carpenter. The production values are very high, too, and it looks and sounds like a mainstream CD. Schafer keeps getting better, and this is her best yet.

Beth Schafer's music is a vivid kaleidoscope of eyes-wide-open spirituality and breathtaking musicianship. Her skill as a songwriter of contemporary Jewish music is unmatched.

No-one is doing Jewish music quite like Beth Schafer. Beth enters the heart of our texts and our prayers and recrafts them into songs that tell the story of the Jewish soul. She is creating a new kind of midrash. Working with Beth in congregational settings is sheer delight. With musicianship and production values of the highest calibre, Beth's music enriches our culture and communities.

Beth Schafer recently served as artist-in-residence for our community--to the joy of all. She was both a musical and personal delight. Her presentations, both professional and personable were of high caliber. More memorable, however, was a certain quality of soul that touches her audience in a way which cannot be gotten through listening to her recorded music alone (though that, too is a pleasure). Her knowledge of sacred texts couples ancient wisdom with fresh and penetrating insights. Her background stories and anecdotes, her poignancy and humor are as lyrical as her music. All of these make Beth remarkably accessible to audiences of all ages, creeds and faith traditions. Her songs give voice to a spiritual message which deserves to be heard by everyone.

Personal, revealing and unflinchingly at home within this style. Good for radio formats that play Americana from Alison Krauss to Bonnie Raitt.

Our St. Paul's places emphasis on worship; our services are contemporary in style and we strive to sense God's nearness during times of praise. Beth Schafer and her band led us in praise and shared in a concert during a Sunday service. The sense of God's presence, the joy of her faith and the style of her music resulted in such a sweet time of worship that we now use her group on a regular basis.

I can wholeheartedly endorse her for leading worship and celebrating God's love in concert in your church or temple. I know you will together be ushered into God's presence in a profound way.

I cannot say enough good things about this CD. I LOVED IT!! Beth Schafer just keeps getting better and better. It is rare that I find a CD where every single song is one I want to listen to over and over again, but this is one of them. The songs are timely and well written with music and lyrics complimenting one another. As the title suggests, most of the songs deal with Loving Your Neighbor and working to make the world a better place where all people can live in peace....Not only are the songs great, but Beth's voice and instrument playing (she plays guitar, mandolin, and piano) are awesome. I could listen to her all day long. Run, don't walk to get this CD. Beth has created yet another album of music to be savored and enjoyed.

This is what contemporary Jewish music is all about. In Beth Schafer's fourth release, the music is broad in scope and deep in meaning. Accompanied by a chorus of children on the first track, "Working for Shalom," sums up the message for the entire disc; while negative things may be in this world, each person must work toward peace and understanding with sensitivity and bravery. "Love Your Neighbor" shines: ***** 5 stars out of 5

Beth is an important presence in the Jewish music scene, and for this we are all enriched.

Thank you so much for giving us permission to use your recording of your song "Children of Freedom" on our "Babapalooza" promotional CD. This song truly exemplifies the theme of rememberance which will be featured in our spring issue. It also helps further the BabagaNewz mission of encouraging our readers to cherish and understand the values that are at the core of Jewish beliefs and practice. And, it was really a bonus to be able to use this particular recording.

Inspired.

That’s how I felt as I left the Helen Stairs Theater fresh from two hours of song and music presented by Beth Schafer and her five piece band of contemporary American artists.

Looking around I knew I wasn’t the only one, as Beth had played to a packed house held spellbound by new cuts taken from her fifth CD, The Quest and the Question, along with fan-favorite standards that many knew by heart.

The Helen Stairs Theater proved to be an excellent house for this Release Concert and DVD recording session, expected to yield Beth’s first live concert video. It was warm and offered an intimate environment for her songs which artistically express her message of universal truth that reaches far beyond the Jewish Arts Week celebration sponsoring the concert.

What you come to realize very quickly is that Beth Schafer and her band offer a new tradition in Jewish American music, rich in the words and tones of her faith, sung in a truly unique contemporary style influenced by both Rock and Folk cultures. I was particularly impressed by the exceptional depth provided by this five piece band as it melded guitars and keyboard in a full-bodied musical program. Lead guitarist, Tommy Calton, exercised skills seldom found in spirit-centered bands as he raised emotions sparked from the edge of his strings. John Marsden, keyboard, and ‘Giff’ Gifford on bass rounded out the sound that provided background to vocals by Beth, who delivers on guitar as well, and Amy Gifford who supports with background vocals and percussion. And not to be denied, drummer Charlie Morgan pulls it all together with his world class talents.

A wonderful thing to take away from this music is that it isn’t just for the Jewish Congregations who filled the Helen Stairs. In fact, as I considered the words that Beth sang I recognized that her themes were universal and that my spirit, with its Protestant roots, was moved just as sweetly...just as faithfully...as any in the audience. Interestingly, and maybe most important, each word rang just as true from a secular point of view as it did from a religious one. Beth Schafer has found her path and I am glad that she has. Her music is sophisticated, and her lyrics are intelligent, passionate and full of emotion. Her newest release, ‘The Quest and the Question’, deserves higher acclaim than it may draw from her community and I hope that you will take the time to listen to her song.

You can find Beth and her band on her web page at www.bethshafer.com where she offers downloadable cuts of her music, interviews discussing her path and goals, and details on the band and where they can be found.

Take a look; you’ll be glad you did.