Reb Shlomo Carlebach has for a long time inspired me with his music and teachings. I find it beautiful to sit around and sing his songs with fellow travelers. Many of the tunes sung in traditional Jewish orthodox synagogues were composed by Reb Shlomo. If you are not familiar with his music or teachings I urge you to find some of his music and stories and be inspired.

 ”Shlomo Carlebach (Hebrew: שלמה קרליבך‎), known as Reb Shlomo to his followers, (14 January 1925, Berlin — 20 October 1994, Canada) was a Jewish rabbi, religious teacher, composer, and singer who was known as “The Singing Rabbi” during his lifetime. Although his roots lay in traditional Orthodox yeshivot, he branched out to create his own style combining Hasidic Judaism, warmth and personal interaction, public concerts, and song-filled synagogue services. At various times he lived in Manhattan, San Francisco, Toronto and Moshav Mevo Modi’im, Israel.

Carlebach is considered by many to be the foremost Jewish religious songwriter of the 20th century. In a career that spanned 40 years, he recorded more than 25 albums that continue to have widespread popularity and appeal. His influence also continues to this day in “Carlebach minyanim” and Jewish religious gatherings in many cities around the globe.

Carlebach was also considered a pioneer of the Baal teshuva movement (“returnees to Judaism”), encouraging disenchanted Jewish youth to re-embrace their heritage, using his special brand of music, songs, and inspiring story telling”.   (From Wikipedia)