Micah Changed My Life… and I am Forever Grateful
Dear Congregation Micah,
I am thrilled to share that on Friday, November 22, I’ll be back at Micah for Shabbat services with Cantor Josh and the Rabbis Rice. Words can hardly capture how wonderful it feels to be returning to my forever synagogue more frequently these days. It’s true what they say—there really is no place like home.
Although I’m still busy writing, recording, and performing around the world, I now find myself returning to Nashville more often. This has given me the chance to reflect on just how impactful Micah has been on my journey and the place Micah holds in my heart.
The truth is, Rabbi Ken Kanter and the congregation changed the course of my life. I first wandered into Micah for an open house—the grand opening of our current building—so late that everyone had already gone home. Everyone, that is, except Rabbi K., who greeted me warmly and asked about my work. His eyes lit up when I mentioned my music, and soon enough, he asked if I’d play piano at Micah on Friday nights. I initially said no, hesitant to take on the responsibility with my busy travel schedule—and my general fear of commitment! But he wouldn’t take no for an answer—thank you, Hashem! Before I knew it, I was behind the piano every Friday night… and there was nowhere else I would rather be.
When a song I wrote went on to win the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Song of the Year, Rabbi K. looked at me and said, half-sarcastically, “Michael, here’s an idea… how about you write a song for your people?”
I had never even considered writing Jewish music before. Growing up, my shul didn’t allow instruments, and my father’s side of the family was Orthodox, so I was accustomed to the beautiful, old melodies sung a cappella. I hadn’t thought much beyond them—until Micah.
Rabbi K. kept encouraging me to write more Jewish music, and before long, I had reimagined the entire Shabbat service. I produced an album with Micah favorite Daniel Leanse on vocals, and soon, I was being commissioned to write songs for other congregations, the 92nd Street Y, and leading Shabbat services in synagogues from L.A. to Oslo, New York to Copenhagen. Congregation Micah truly changed the trajectory of my life.
But what I love most about Micah are the people who embraced me and my music all those years ago. These friends became my second family. We’ve laughed together, cried together, noshed together, mourned together, traveled to Israel together, welcomed Alaa and *The Pursuit of Harmony* to Micah, engaged in thoughtful dialogue on a myriad of difficult issues...and lifted our voices in song together. We’ve been there for each other. I often joke that Micah has been the longest relationship of my life!
So please join me on Friday, November 22, for Shabbat services. We’ll sing some of the songs that bring us that feeling of continuity and belonging. And maybe we’ll try one or two new ones that, hopefully, will feel like old favorites before long.
I look forward to sharing Shabbat with you, reminiscing, and creating new memories together.