Seeding the Tree is a mostly improvised, entirely inspired musical oddyssey that explores themes of nature, mysticism, ancestry and the feminine in Judaism.
SEEDING THE TREE is a musical listening ritual for this moment. A journey through sound - of honoring, healing, reclamation and forgiveness. A textured improvisational piece that dances between the ancestral and contemporary worlds, Hebrew and English, the masculine, feminine and non-gendered expressions of the sacred and the mundane, and the physical and mystical realms of Judaism.
SEEDING THE TREE is a metaphor that lifts up the seed and the tree and says, both are necessary if we are to be fully whole. We need the wisdom, practices and rituals that have come before us but we also need innovation, fresh perspectives and the courage to give voice to the questions of today.
This album was born from a need to explore my questions, frustrations and ultimately love of Judaism. Where, once there were walls that kept me out, now entire forests of diverse voice, interpretation and practice are rooting. I can see myself in this Judaism and perhaps more importantly, I believe that my voice belongs here, too.
May this music offer you the space to slow down, listen deeply and explore your own spiritual life. May you experience moments of honoring, discover ideas worth reclaiming, reimagining or letting go, and may you hear the whispers of imperfect ancestors asking for forgiveness, for healing, for a blessing. May we always be seeding the tree for those who have come, for those yet to come and for those of us striving and alive in this very moment.
with appreciation, Rebekka
Musicians:
Lead Vocals: Rebekka Goldsmith
Violin: Alisa Rose
Clarinet: Ben Goldberg
Piano: Julie Wolf
Bass: Zach Ostroff
Percussion: Scott Amendola
Vocals on Crossroads: Gayanne Geurin
Vocals on A Time for Love: Arik Labowitz
Producer: Julie Wolf
Engineer: Adam Munoz
Recorded at Fantasy Records and 25th Street Studios, Berkeley, CA
Mastering: Ken Lee Mastering
Poems (used with permission):
Creation: Second Hymn to the Shekhina by Rabbi Rachel Adler
Crossroads: Crossroads by Rabbi Jill Hammer