Piyut, the sacred song of the Jewish people, lies at the heart of our prayer tradition. It is a part of the secret that has preserved and enriched Jewish culture around the world throughout the generations . It helped us rise from many moments of pain and crisis.

For two decades, “Invitation to Piyut” at the Snunit Center in Jerusalem has been dedicated to preserving and making the liturgical heritage of the Jewish people accessible to all. We want to make sure that the songs and prayers of our grandparents, from various Jewish traditions, will not be forgotten and will be at the foundation of an ongoing language of Jewish spirituality, culture and peoplehood.

All these are featured on the world’s largest site in the field of Jewish liturgy, showcasing thousands of recordings from hundreds of traditions.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every individual and community can access and engage with the rich and diverse heritage of the Jewish people.

We are halfway through our journey, facing many challenges ahead. These present years are particularly significant. Sometimes, a whole world lies in the memory of one person.

These current days of war in Israel have brought significant changes in funding for culture and heritage projects. Naturally, most funding efforts are directed towards supporting the immediate needs and effects of the war.

This situation challenges our initiative, whose importance is even more evident during these times.

Alongside with our ongoing work, we are creating singing circles with children and families who have been evacuated from their homes in Israel’s North and South. Our song is our treasure, offering a bridge that connects past, present, and future generations from all tribes of the Jewish people.

We invite you to join the growing community of Friends of the Piyut & Tefilla initiative and become active partners in our endeavors.

As a Friend, you will receive exclusive content from us before each holiday in the Hebrew yearly cycle.

You are invited to take part in Invitation to Piyut.

With gratitude and hope for better days to come,
The Invitation to Piyut team.