Music & Gender

Growing up, I knew I had to be a musician. I also knew I would never be famous enough to be a rockstar, but I didn’t want to be one anyway. Around middle school, my childhood synagogue offered me a job as a Songleader for the religious school. I was terrified, but as time went on, I grew exponentially. I wanted everything to do with this songleading-thing, so I searched for more.

On my search, I found numerous artists who wrote incredible Jewish music. I found Jewish Bluegrass, Jewish Rock, Jewish EDM, and so much more! The problem was that I also found a pattern between those artists: they were all male. The news crushed me. I was so excited to become a Jewish musician and share my music with the world, but I started to think I wouldn’t make it in The Big Leagues being a girl. 

When I deemed all hope lost (yes, I’m being dramatic, but I think it’s funny), I turned to an organization called the National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). There, I found so many people from all over the country who wanted kehillah kedosha or “holy community.” One stood out from the crowd. With pink hair and a pride flag, she was the head of the Songleader clan and a HUGE inspiration in my life. Seeing her lead hundreds of people in song sessions and liturgy services, I decided I wanted to be like her. I didn’t give up. I became determined to share my music with the world, and I allowed no stupid-gender-differences to get in my way.

Unfortunately, having hope does not always guarantee the outcome we want. Knowing this, I went to work. I found any temple that would hire me as their music or religious teacher. I wrote one service after another. I even started writing songs. I did everything I could to be the best Songleader I could be. I’m fully aware that I’m nowhere near the finish line, but as we say in music therapy: “process over product.”