The Jewish Innovation
We did it! I have reached my goal and raised enough for recording my songs. But don’t stop now – you can still support making the record the best it can be! Additional contributions will go toward mixing (balancing all of the instruments), mastering (setting all of the songs at the same volume as other music in your collection), duplication (making CDs/download cards), distribution (putting the songs on iTunes and other digital music services) and promotion (advertising, mailing costs). All of these are essential elements to making a successful album, and will cost an additional $5,000 (as I mentioned in my original project description below). So keep that support coming!
ORIGINAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Let’s make some music together!
My name is Jay Rapoport and I’m a Jewish educator, composer and performer living in Brooklyn, NYC. I’m excited to announce that this spring I am planning to record my second “Ruach Rock” album of original Jewish music for children and families, in my signature call-and-response, upbeat piano-rock style. (Listen to my first record above or on my website www.ruachrock.com.) There is no better way than music to connect, teach and inspire the next Jewish generation! I can’t wait to get more people singing along to my new songs, featuring themes of resilience, holidays, Shabbat, spirituality, building community and honoring teachers. It’s an ambitious project, and I can’t do it alone. I need YOU!
There are two major ways you can join me in this exciting work and earn exclusive rewards and performances:
-Publicity: Join the campaign – use email, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to tell everyone you know! Be my ambassador and earn rewards for the total amount you raise for the album. Help get the word out from the mountaintop!
-Contributions: Every little bit helps! I am setting a goal of $10,000 but in truth that is only a two-thirds of the total budget needed. If I could get 250 people to contribute at least $36 each, I would already be very close to making this goal!
The Impact
So many people are searching for how to connect the next generation to Judaism. Music, education and culture offer amazing opportunities to bring Judaism to life for children and families. My songs teach concepts, values and stories in a fun, accessible way that will stick in childrens’ ears and won’t annoy their parents! Four years ago I was one of the first composers of Jewish music (if not the first) to raise contributions on Kickstarter, and since then many of my colleagues have followed suit. This time around I am doing a Jewcer campaign, staying on the cutting edge of the Jewish creative scene. Thanks to the nearly sixty supporters of my first album, “With All Your Heart,” I have been able to share my music at URJ Biennials, Songleader Boot Camp, NFTY convention and NewCAJE conferences, as well as many congregations and communities. Songs from the record were included on compilations from PJ Library, NFTY Ruach, NewCAJE and the URJ Shabbat Anthology. I have had so much fun creating and sharing this music, and I can’t wait to take it to the next level!
What Will You Do with the Money?
I’m going to be recording in New York City with my “Ruach Rock” touring band, a horn section, and backup singers from HUC-JIR – it ain’t cheap but it’s going to sound awesome! Whereas my last album was 1950s/early Beatles-influenced, this new one will be 1960s/Motown-inspired, and produced by Toby Singer (www.tobysinger.com), guitar teacher of the stars/rabbis/cantors. Although making an album in NYC is expensive, it is the best way for me to provide the music as a quality resource for the larger Jewish community, both for families and educators. My last record cost about $15,000 and I expect this one will cost the same. If I can raise at least $10,000, I will be thrilled, but the cost of the recording, musicians, post-production and duplication will likely be $15,000. This is a labor of love for me and all donations will go towards making the album the best it can be. Getting involved with this project not only helps me share this music, but for larger donations, your name (or your community’s name) will appear in the album and on my website – the bigger the donation, the bigger the print! You can also be involved in providing CDs and performances for your community, and sharing input on the project.
