Here you can view recent performances of some of my compositions, and find links to more. Please enjoy, check back often for new music, and feel free to be in touch if you are interested in copies of anything you find here.
Ahavah Rabbah
אהבה רבה
How deeply You have loved us Adonai, our God, gracing us with surpassing compassion. On account of our forebears whose trust led You to teach them the laws of life, be gracious to us, teaching us as well.
אַהֲבָה רַבָּה אֲהַבְתָּנוּ, ה' אֱלהֵינוּ, חֶמְלָה גְדוֹלָה וִיתֵרָה חָמַלְתָּ עָלֵינוּ. בַּעֲבוּר אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁבָּטְחוּ בְךָ, וַתְּלַמְּדֵם חֻקֵּי חַיִּים כֵּן תְּחָנֵּּנוּ וּתְלַמְּדֵנוּ.
Ahavah Rabbah by Ben Ellerin
2015 URJ Biennial convention in Orlando, FL. Conducted by Merri Lovinger Arian.
Copies of Ahavah Rabbah are available as part of the URJ Biennial Songbook as well as Shabbat Anthology Volume VIII. Click either image for more details.
Birkat HaChodesh
ברכת החודש
יְהִי רָצון מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלהֵינוּ וֵאלהֵי אֲבותֵינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵינוּ. שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ אֶת הַחדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לְטובָה וְלִבְרָכָה. וְתִתֶּן לָנוּ חַיִּים אֲרוּכִּים. חַיִּים שֶׁל שָׁלום. חַיִּים שֶׁל טובָה. חַיִּים שֶׁל בְּרָכָה. חַיִּים שֶׁל פַּרְנָסָה. חַיִּים שֶׁל חִלּוּץ עֲצָמות. חַיִּים שֶׁיֵשׁ בָּהֶם יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם וְיִרְאַת חֵטְא. חַיִּים שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶם בּוּשָׁה וּכְלִמָּה. חַיִּים שֶׁל עשֶׁר וְכָבוד. חַיִּים שֶׁתְּהֵא בָנוּ אַהֲבַת תּורָה וְיִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם. חַיִּים שֶׁיִּמָלְאוּ מִשְׁאֲלות לִבֵּנוּ לְטובָה אָמֵן סֶלָה:
May it be Your will, Adonai our God and God of our ancestors, grant that this month bring us goodness and blessing, and bestow on us a long life, a life that is peaceful, a life that is good, a life that is blessed, a life with proper sustenance, a life with physical vitality, a life conscious of heavens demands and wary of sin, a life free of shame and reproach, a life of abundance and honor, a life of love of Torah, conscious of heaven's demands, a life in which the worthy desires of our hearts are fulfilled. Amen.
Birkat HaChodesh - Blessing for the New Month
Sung by Cantor Azi Schwartz and conducted by Cantor Ben Ellerin at Park Avenue Synagogue
Mi Chamocha
מי כמוך
מִי כָמֹֽכָה בָּאֵלִים ה', מִי כָּמֹֽכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ, נוֹרָא תְהִילֹּת,עֹֽשֵׂה פֶֽלֶא.
שִׁירָה חֲדָשָׁה שִׁבְּחוּ גְאוּלִים לְשִׁמְךָ עַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם, יַֽחַד כֻּלָּם הוֹדוּ וְהִמְלִֽיכוּ וְאָמְרוּ: ה' יִמְלֹךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
Who is like You, O God, among the gods that are worshipped? Who is like You majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, working wonders?
With new song, inspired, at the shore of the Sea, the redeemed sang Your praise. In unison they all offered thanks. Acknowledging Your Sovereignty, they said: "Adonai will reign forever!"
Anim Z'mirot (Pleasing Melodies)
אנעים זמירות
A composition for tenor, soprano, choir and piano commissioned by Congregation Rodeph Sholom in honor of Henry Siegel.
V'al Kulam (For all these Blessings)
ועל כולם
A contemporary setting utilizing liturgical inserts for the High Holy Days commissioned by Park Avenue Synagogue in honor of a new family machzor.