Shir Yaakov, ALEPH rabbinical student and leader of ALEPH Network community Kol Hai in the Hudson Valley, is one of the winners of the Forward’s Soundtrack of our Spirit 2016!

The Forward opened up voting to the general public, and Shir Yaakov’s song “Broken Hearted” was one of three winners chosen by public acclaim.

The other two tracks chosen by the public are Ilene Safyan’s “Hashkivenu” and Hazzan Ilan Mamber’s “Erev Shel Shoshanim,” and the contest’s judges picked two other winners, “Flip” by Prodezra Beats and “Sha’alu Shalom” by Cantor Marsha Attie.

“Shir Yaakov’s song speaks to the deep human yearning to be known, to be seen, and to find healing,” says ALEPH’s executive director Shoshanna Shachter-Shaffin. “I’m not surprised that people voted his song to the top. It’s beautiful listening for any time of year, and maybe especially right now as the Days of Awe approach. We’re blessed to have Shir Yaakov in the ALEPH rabbinical program and in the Jewish Renewal community.”

Mazal tov to Shir Yaakov for this honor!