Each of us has an eternal spark of light from God. May we all think and act positively so that our spark of light increases. Then the total light brought into the world will increase.

Essence of Jerusalem (4.56)  (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

This piano and violin instrumental attempts to capture the transcendence of Jerusalem, Israel’s eternal spiritual, physical and historical capital and epicenter. Zoriy, our fabulous violinist, says that “if you put your ear to the Wall (the Western Wall in Jerusalem), then you would hear something like this”.

Breathe Life Into Your Neshama (Soul) (5:13)  (Harp - Kevin Lowry)

Kabalists often refer to God as "Yah", “The Breath of  Life.” May we bring more "life" into our soul by breathing in and doing life's good deeds.

 

Come, Let Us Make the Desert Bloom (4:02)  (Flute-Tina Gordon)
                                                              
                                                             

Biblical Israel had desert but was also lush with trees, fruits and vegetables. After the fall of the Second Temple in 54 CE, and even though there has always been a small Jewish presence in Eretz Yisrael (homeland of Israel), it was not enough to maintain the land. Bands of Dreuze and Bedouin tribes, Moors and later the Arabs, over the centuries, would overgraze their sheep and other animals without replenishing our land. Further abuse from the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, and Turks eventually left malarial and insect-ridden swamps interspaced with larger areas of desert. Most of the world doesn’t know that, with the exception of a few palm trees around some ancient watering holes, every tree in Israel was hand planted. Since 1901, the JNF (Jewish National Fund) has planted over 220 million trees this last century in a land that was essentially marsh and sand making it the only country on earth to end the century with more trees than when it started. The trees protected against soil erosion and retain water and minerals, which have allowed the early Israelis (and now modern Israelis) to plant fruits and vegetables, which are now sent worldwide.

This is the story of the early chalutzim (Jewish brethren) between 1880 and the 1920’s- their courage with incredible hardships and their phenomenal successes.

I've Loved You for 100 Lifetimes (3:44)

As Yogi Berra once said "it's deja vu all over again"

 

Wanderers No More (5:29)  (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

 What other people have lost their homeland and regained it after 2000 years?

Song of Joseph (5:46)  (Flute-Tina Gordon)

With the exception of Moses, what other person in the Hebrew Bible is more interesting and inspiring than Joseph, who overcame slavery and torture to save his people and inspire the world to come.

 

The Sunflower (4:30)

How much are we like a sunflower? No one realizes his/her full beauty and potential until all their petals (good deeds) are exposed.   

 

You Know, My Name Is Shula (4:09)   (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

Terrorist bombings have killed many Israelis. Each one was a unique precious human being.
We hope this song’s words will speak for the many who are gone. We named the woman in the song Shula (short for Shulamit related to Shalom or peace in Hebrew).

 

Peaceful Waterfalls (4:53)

This song exemplifies this entire CD. Smooth and dreamy but substantive.

Soothing Piano 2-An RX From My Heart to Yours
 

Kol Yisrael (We Are All One People) (5:25) (Flute-Tina Gordon)

The remaining few Jewish people on earth (0.1% of the world's population) have a rare blessing in that we are a people AND a religion.  We are all (with the exceptions of those who have converted) directly descended from Abraham so that our Hebrew Bible is not just our Bible- it is our family album. There is also the analogy in that       all humans are descended from Adam. So, in that sense, we are all one people as well.

Ladino Memories (4:25) (Instrumental)

In the U.S., some people know some Yiddish words like bagel, schmooze, etc. This is and was our Ashkenazic (Eastern European) influence. Yet from Spain and Portugal came our rich Sephardic history. The language of the Jewish people living there (a mixture of Spanish and Hebrew) was called Ladino. This Sephardic influence is still present in music and language in Israel and various parts of the world.
 

Song of Ruth (3:36) (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

Ruth and Naomi are perhaps the greatest example of true friendship, love, and commitment in the Bible. Ruth, a former Moabite, became the great grandmother of King David. Is there a more important universal theme than this? Lyrics are from the Book of Ruth, the Tanakh.
 

It's as Simple as That (5:44)  (Flute-Tina Gordon)

This song was inspired by the great Rabbi Hillel. He was once asked to describe Judaism while standing on one foot. His answer later evolved into what we now call the "Golden Rule"-  "What is painful to yourself, do not do unto others".

Adam, Your Name Means Humanity (3:24)   (Harp - Kevin Lowry)

The word for man in Hebrew is Adam.
The word for earth in Hebrew is Adamah.

When Danny Pearl, the Wall Street Journal South Asia Bureau Chief and Reporter, was murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in January of 2002, his wife was pregnant. When the child was born, he was named Adam with the family’s hope that his generation will increase tolerance and understanding. We share this hope that all the children born after 9/11/2001 (and all the other bombings in the world) as well as all our future children, will live in peace. This lullaby is in that spirit.

Swim Now By Moonlight (2:56)  (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

In 1990, Dr. Reimer arrived in Israel as an American tourist and she was surprised to hear that her tour guide’s mother arrived in Israel by swimming into shore. Later, we learned the history. In its 1939 White Paper, despite increasing persecution and murder of Jews in Austria and Germany, Britian decided to end Jewish land purchases in Palestine (except in 5% of the country) and limit Jewish immigration to our homeland to a maximum of 75,000 Jews over 5 yrs and then stop it forever. For the next 9 yrs (until Israeli Independence May 14, 1948) some Jews would stowaway on anything floating in the Mediterranean heading in the direction of Eretz Yisrael. They would then jump overboard and try to swim the last mile or two so as not to be picked up by the British and sent back to Germany. This song is dedicated to those brave olim between 1939 and 1948.

I Will Plant A Tree For You (3:13) (Saxophone - Rob MacIntosh)

Dr. Lisa Reimer’s grandfather told her that when he was gone, he would watch her from the stars. He then told the following Talmudic story: An old man is planting a carob tree. A young man stops and thinks he is silly or senile and says “why are you planting this tree- you will not live long enough to eat its fruit.?” The old man said “ I am planting it for those that follow me, my children and grandchildren”. So it is a Jewish tradition to plant trees in honor and memory of people. We plant not for ourselves but others- we plant seeds and ideas to grow. This song is dedicated to our elders who guided us and planted for us and hopefully would smile knowing how we have grown. So, besides the obvious analogy of a tree and our soul, this song is about l’Dor v’Dor (From Generation to Generation).

 

Shabbos Sprinkles (3:28)

This song was inspired by the soft rain that seems so comforting and inspiring (gives me goose bumps) when it falls on the Sabbath. It seems to have a magical quality to me- so soothing.

Yisrael, Our Land (3:14)    (Guitarist - Bill Emery)

The Jewish people were like an “endless river surviving many civilizations”. This song is about the “river” of the Jewish people and our homeland- both inseparable and eternal.

 

Players in the Wall (4:50)  (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

Placing a prayer in the Western Wall was one of the most emotional and moving experiences in my life. In a brief moment, I was connecting to 3,000 years of our history, our people and our religion. This is called the Kotel, Judaism's holiest place in Jerusalem.

Hills of Judea and Sumaria (3:26)

Almost 200 years after losing the War of Independence, some Mexicans still consider Tejas (Texas) to be their land. Likewise, Judea and Sumaria (misnamed the West Bank by Jordan) is as much an integral part of Israel as Texas is to the United States. If there were terrorist acts coming from Mexico onto U.S. soil into Texas, you wouldn’t see or hear anyone asking the U.S. to give up Texas in the name of “peace” (Log onto AIPAC.org and read Myths & Facts for everything you will ever want to learn).

This song was inspired by the bravest of all Jews, those “settlers” living in the heartland of Eretz Yisrael-- Judea and Sumaria.
 

Contentment (5:44)  (Flute-Tina Gordon)

There is ancient Jewish expression that says: "Happy is the man who is content with what he has". I hope this song brings about those feelings.
 

Many Seeds, Many Good Deeds (A Tribute to Israel)

Essence of Jerusalem (4.56)  (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

This piano and violin instrumental attempts to capture the transcendence of Jerusalem, Israel’s eternal spiritual, physical and historical capital and epicenter. Zoriy, our fabulous violinist, says that “if you put your ear to the Wall (the Western Wall in Jerusalem), then you would hear something like this”.

Come, Let Us Make the Desert Bloom (4:02)  (Flute-Tina Gordon)
                                                              
                                                             

Biblical Israel had desert but was also lush with trees, fruits and vegetables. After the fall of the Second Temple in 54 CE, and even though there has always been a small Jewish presence in Eretz Yisrael (homeland of Israel), it was not enough to maintain the land. Bands of Dreuze and Bedouin tribes, Moors and later the Arabs, over the centuries, would overgraze their sheep and other animals without replenishing our land. Further abuse from the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, and Turks eventually left malarial and insect-ridden swamps interspaced with larger areas of desert. Most of the world doesn’t know that, with the exception of a few palm trees around some ancient watering holes, every tree in Israel was hand planted. Since 1901, the JNF (Jewish National Fund) has planted over 220 million trees this last century in a land that was essentially marsh and sand making it the only country on earth to end the century with more trees than when it started. The trees protected against soil erosion and retain water and minerals, which have allowed the early Israelis (and now modern Israelis) to plant fruits and vegetables, which are now sent worldwide.

This is the story of the early chalutzim (Jewish brethren) between 1880 and the 1920’s- their courage with incredible hardships and their phenomenal successes.

Song of Ruth (3:36) (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

Ruth and Naomi are perhaps the greatest example of true friendship, love, and commitment in the Bible. Ruth, a former Moabite, became the great grandmother of King David. Is there a more important universal theme than this? Lyrics are from the Book of Ruth, the Tanakh.

Yisrael, Our Land (3:14)    (Guitarist - Bill Emery)

The Jewish people were like an “endless river surviving many civilizations”. This song is about the “river” of the Jewish people and our homeland- both inseparable and eternal.

 

You Know, My Name Is Shula (4:09)   (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

Terrorist bombings have killed many Israelis. Each one was a unique precious human being.
We hope this song’s words will speak for the many who are gone. We named the woman in the song Shula (short for Shulamit related to Shalom or peace in Hebrew).

I Will Plant A Tree For You (3:13) (Saxophone - Rob MacIntosh)

Dr. Lisa Reimer’s grandfather told her that when he was gone, he would watch her from the stars. He then told the following Talmudic story: An old man is planting a carob tree. A young man stops and thinks he is silly or senile and says “why are you planting this tree- you will not live long enough to eat its fruit.?” The old man said “ I am planting it for those that follow me, my children and grandchildren”. So it is a Jewish tradition to plant trees in honor and memory of people. We plant not for ourselves but others- we plant seeds and ideas to grow. This song is dedicated to our elders who guided us and planted for us and hopefully would smile knowing how we have grown. So, besides the obvious analogy of a tree and our soul, this song is about l’Dor v’Dor (From Generation to Generation).

Adam, Your Name Means Humanity (3:24)   (Harp - Kevin Lowry)

The word for man in Hebrew is Adam.
The word for earth in Hebrew is Adamah.

When Danny Pearl, the Wall Street Journal South Asia Bureau Chief and Reporter, was murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in January of 2002, his wife was pregnant. When the child was born, he was named Adam with the family’s hope that his generation will increase tolerance and understanding. We share this hope that all the children born after 9/11/2001 (and all the other bombings in the world) as well as all our future children, will live in peace. This lullaby is in that spirit.

Swim Now By Moonlight (2:56)  (Violin - Zoriy Zinger)

In 1990, Dr. Reimer arrived in Israel as an American tourist and she was surprised to hear that her tour guide’s mother arrived in Israel by swimming into shore. Later, we learned the history. In its 1939 White Paper, despite increasing persecution and murder of Jews in Austria and Germany, Britian decided to end Jewish land purchases in Palestine (except in 5% of the country) and limit Jewish immigration to our homeland to a maximum of 75,000 Jews over 5 yrs and then stop it forever. For the next 9 yrs (until Israeli Independence May 14, 1948) some Jews would stowaway on anything floating in the Mediterranean heading in the direction of Eretz Yisrael. They would then jump overboard and try to swim the last mile or two so as not to be picked up by the British and sent back to Germany. This song is dedicated to those brave olim between 1939 and 1948.

Ladino Memories (4:25) (Instrumental)

In the U.S., some people know some Yiddish words like bagel, schmooze, etc. This is and was our Ashkenazic (Eastern European) influence. Yet from Spain and Portugal came our rich Sephardic history. The language of the Jewish people living there (a mixture of Spanish and Hebrew) was called Ladino. This Sephardic influence is still present in music and language in Israel and various parts of the world.

Hills of Judea and Sumaria (3:26)

Almost 200 years after losing the War of Independence, some Mexicans still consider Tejas (Texas) to be their land. Likewise, Judea and Sumaria (misnamed the West Bank by Jordan) is as much an integral part of Israel as Texas is to the United States. If there were terrorist acts coming from Mexico onto U.S. soil into Texas, you wouldn’t see or hear anyone asking the U.S. to give up Texas in the name of “peace” (Log onto AIPAC.org and read Myths & Facts for everything you will ever want to learn).

This song was inspired by the bravest of all Jews, those “settlers” living in the heartland of Eretz Yisrael-- Judea and Sumaria.

Dedications:

Recorded & Mixed by: Mark Ignoffo, Reel Time Recording Studio
                                939 Carswell Avenue, Holly Hill, Fl 32118

Mastered by: Tom Shields at Reel Time Recording Studio

Art Direction & Design: Dorothy Westcott at Reel Time Recording Studio

Photos: Dave Shank Photography

All songs copyrighted © by: Dr. Ron Sherman 2002

We Are Grateful To: Hashem for the ultimate inspiration.

Special Thanks To: Mark Ignoffo for his patience and expertise during the complicated process of recording; Tom Shields for his mastering magic and Dorothy Westcott for her unequaled artistic ability.

From Dr. Lisa Reimer: Special thanks to my parents Rosalind and Irving Reimer, who taught me to always work for peace, help other people, and fight for justice.

From Dr. Ron Sherman: In Memory of my beloved father and mother who instilled the love of music in me at an early age.

My Dad, Paul Sherman:

The photo you see was taken in 1929 when my Dad, Paul Sherman, was the emcee, band leader, violinist, saxophonist and clarinetist in the Catskills at a place called Goldberg’s Hotel. Mr. Goldberg was Jerry Lewis’s uncle and his hotel (along with many others in that area) then and later cultivated the future Jewish comedians- Sam Levinson, Milton Berle, Alan King and many Jewish musicians as well.