Press, Etc.

The Jewish Review: ORA’s East Side Jam Features Musical Midrash

April 13, 2022

Scroll to Page 7 to learn about Musical Midrash!

Article link: https://cdn.fedweb.org/fed-29/2/JR0417.pdf

“Jewish Artists hosted Eastside Jam, a one-day art show and concert, featuring Mark on guitar and vocals for a suite of ‘Finding Love in Leviticus’ songs. Each song represents an original tune – in English and in Hebrew – that Mark has created from Torah portions, or parshiyot”

The Oregonian - Connecting Religion and Song to Celebrate Religious Culture, High Holy Days

September 10, 2021

Article link: https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2021/09/connecting-religion-and-song-to-celebrate-jewish-culture-high-holy-days.html

“COVID-19 placed a lot of religious traditions on hold over the last year -- or it forced people to search for other ways to celebrate. Portland musician Mark Sherman developed a unique way to honor his Jewish culture and share it with others.”

Musical Midrash Meets Milestone with Song

September 1, 2021

Article link: https://cdn.fedweb.org/fed-29/2/JR090121.pdf

See Page 7 coverage of the Musical Midrash live event, celebrating completion of the 54 song cycle. Thank you to Merrill Hendin for a wonderful quote. “Guest musicians – vocalist Alyssa Knudsen and violinist Andrew Ehrlich – accompanied Mark on a number of the songs from Deuteronomy that he per- formed at the mid-August event.”

Heart and Soul, Modern Midrash

April 11, 2021

“Musical Midrash Project was included in this BBC program on faith in the modern world. “As what it means to be Jewish has changed over the millennia, Jews have used midrash to re-interpret their identity in the world.” We were honored to be part of Michael Goldfarb’s episode on “Modern Midrash” - a search through the ancient texts for clues to what it is to be Jewish in the 21st Century.”

The Musical Midrash Project

April 1, 2021

“With melody, and interpretive English lyrics to match the cadence of each text, the songs of the Musical Midrash Project join a living tradition that continues to find new ways of interpreting Torah.”

Studio Mix with Friends: "You were a stranger in Egypt"

March, 2020

Special Passover Release: Exodus 23:9
Musicians: Vocals and Guitar - Mark Sherman; Accordion - Courtney von Drehle; Keyboard Etc. - Ralph Huntley; Violin - Andrew Ehrlich; Recording Engineer: Drew Canulette, Dogfish Sound LLC

Seeking the Secret Chord with Mark Sherman

February 25, 2020

“Mark and Justin talk about the different ways we can find meaning in scriptural texts, and how responding to what we find beautiful in it may be the most powerful way.”

The Musical Midrash Project: Turning Language Into Lyrics

January 8, 2021

“Creating an emotional, personal connection to the words that is different from how you experience it any other way.”

Musical Midrash Strikes a Chord

December 23, 2020

“Seeking a deeper emotional connection to Torah, Mark Sherman began searching each week’s Torah portion for a lyrically beautiful passage.”

“Mark’s beautiful melodies and creative lyrics bring a whole new experience to the words of Torah. Listening leads to learning and to a greater love of Torah.”

— Shawn Fields-Meyer, School Rabbi, Milken Community High School, Los Angeles, California

“By combining the teachings of Torah with singable music, he has enabled the listener to take it all in at once — words, music and message. The words become linked to the melody and not only is it an easier way to learn and remember the words of Torah, but by singing them over and over again, these teachings go deeper and deeper into one's soul.”

— Ilene Safyan, Cantorial Soloist

“Mark’s thoughtful interpretations of the Torah allow the narrative of an ancient text to come alive in new and accessible ways.”

— Eve Posen, Associate Rabbi, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Portland, Oregon