After recording his second album in 2015, Rabbi David Schlusselberg did not expect to record again. With a full-time job as a rebbe and teacher at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, he believed his plate was full.
“Life is busy, and music is a hobby for me, not a career. I do not have a wedding-singer voice, nor the tunes of the successful Jewish musicians out there. I only tend to write songs when I think someone besides me will hear them, and that is why I did not write a song from the day I wrote the last song on my previous album until the day I wrote the first song on this album,” said Schlusselberg.
On August 16 of this year, he picked up his guitar for the first time after the Three Weeks and found himself with a strong desire to compose. Four hours later, the first three songs on what would become his third album, “Nachamu Ami,” were complete.
“I didn’t sleep well that night, with the tug-of-war in my head of deciding whether to write and record a new album. I sent an email to my producer, Jake Antelis, the following morning around 6:00 a.m., asking if there was availability in his studio for recording,” Rabbi Schluss, as he is affectionately known at RKYHS, recounted. “My mind was set—I was going to record this album. I spent that day putting together cello and violin lines to the three songs I had written the previous night and was off to the studio to record them the next day.”
Over the next couple of weeks, his pattern of writing music followed by recording the songs in the studio was in full motion. “Each song was written with tremendous siyata diShmaya (help from Heaven) from Hashem. I am not a very talented musician, but I was given a lot of help from Hashem when coming up with the melodies, or the words to go along with them,” he humbly said. “I knew that a project like this takes a lot of time and a lot of money, but when there is a strong drive, nothing stands in the way.”
Most of the songs on the album come from the siddur, and Schlusselberg had the album cover designed to reflect that concept. He composed a Lecha Dodi and Odecha (from Hallel), which he hopes can be used one day in shuls during davening.
“I am hoping to play kumzitzes in shuls and schools throughout the area. I have played for Kushner, Ramaz, Heichal HaTorah, Suburban Torah, Etz Chaim, Camp Moshava and Camp HASC thus far, and am always happy to bring some ruchniyut (spirituality) into people’s lives,” he added.
As for his inspiration? “There is a lot of Jewish music out there that is not my speed, and I wanted to write songs that I think speak to a large group of people looking for this type of music. I was inspired by Eitan and Shlomo Katz in particular who help Jews all over the world connect to Hashem through their music. I hope that my music as well helps people get closer to Hashem, as that is my ultimate goal as a musician and educator,” Schlusselberg continued.
His inspired students and fans seem to agree that he is definitely achieving that goal.
“Nachamu Ami” is available on iTunes and is also for sale at the Teaneck Judaica House.
To stay current with Rabbi Schlusselberg’s musical pursuits, follow him on Facebook at David Schlusselberg Music. He can be reached at [email protected].
By Jill Kirsch
