Ep. 25: How Does Music Connect You to Prayer?

What if the most transformative moments in Jewish prayer aren’t found in the words—but in the music you didn’t even know was shaping your spirit?In this revelatory episode of “In Such a Time,” Rabbis Jonathan Jaffe and Leora Londy pull back the curtain on their very different—but unexpectedly harmonious—musical journeys into the rabbinate. Whether you think you’re “not a music person,” grew up bored by synagogue choirs, or can’t imagine prayer without melody, this conversation exposes how the sounds and silence of Jewish life have quietly been shaping us all along.You’ll hear Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe reveal his musical roots in Hawaiian slack key guitar and rock bands, and why his childhood counted synagogue music as little more than “filler”—before a single encounter in San Francisco flipped everything he believed. Rabbi Leora Londy shares the hidden power of growing up with a cantor-mother, geeking out on the “sounds of the season,” and the shock of standing in an unfamiliar synagogue in Florence where her musical “Jewish GPS” stopped working.Highlights from this episode include:The hilarious and humbling stories (“I only learned bassoon for the grade!”) behind each rabbi’s path to spiritual songleadingUnpacking why Jewish prayer can feel stale or electrifying—and why feeling lost in the music might actually be a sacred momentThe tug-of-war between tradition and innovation: Should services be a familiar playlist or a boundary-pushing “concert”—and what happens when congregants push back?Powerful vignettes from transformative musical moments: women’s nigun circles, rain-soaked prayer gatherings, and kids who learn Shabbat tunes before they know what they mean.An invitation to listeners to reflect: What music moves you? And how alive could Jewish community feel if you let yourself sing (or dance!) along?Whether you’re a foot-tambourine-wielding Shabbat rocker or a reluctant participant on the back row, this episode will make you rethink the soundtrack of your Jewish soul.Episode Overview with Timestamps:00:00: Welcome, introduction & theme—why talk about music and prayer?00:32: Rabbi Leora Londy shares her musical upbringing & the deep role of Jewish liturgy at home05:48: Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe confesses his lack of early musical connection to synagogue—and why that matters07:52: A dive into Hawaiian and “slack key” guitar: how secular music influences Jewish life11:35: Turning from rock music to Jewish songleading—unexpected spiritual connections14:15: The aliveness of jazz, hip hop, and authentic, unscripted prayer17:08: How synagogue environment and music shape mood—subtle signals of community19:43: The balance between curation, creativity, and meeting congregants’ expectations22:19: The “sounds and smells of the season”—how music marks sacred time in Jewish life24:02: The shock and beauty of experiencing unfamiliar Jewish musical traditions25:21: Israel’s unique blend of pop and sacred song—how secular music echoes the sacred26:17: Discovering the power of communal singing in Jerusalem, summer camp, and bomb shelters30:29: Deep dives into women’s song circles and reclaiming forbidden melodies34:37: Making prayer less “performance,” more community: tools for bringing everyone into the experience36:36: Open questions to listeners: What are you open (or not open) to trying in prayer?37:13: Real-world recommendations for musical, inspiring services in Westchester, NYC and beyond39:01: The awkwardness (and necessity) of authenticity—what Jewish worship can learn from “Sister Act”-style churches42:07: Why nigunim (wordless melodies) matter, and stories that will move you to tears46:36: A rabbinic “band”—what happens when the clergy have as much fun as the kids48:34: Wrapping up with a beloved nigun—and an invitation to let melody shake your soulReady to rediscover how music stirs meaning, belonging, and surprise in Jewish life? Hit play.