Children’s singer-songwriter and Atlanta native Rabbi Jake Czuper is back at it with a third album for his young audience. “Rabbi Jake: Hashem is Awesome” features widely-themed hits, including his single, “Smile,” a video for which was released on the third night of Chanukah.
An educator at heart, Rabbi Jake creates music to teach children the joys of being Jewish, and ways to form an early bond of trust with Hashem. The title track “Hashem is Awesome” highlights the theme of gratitude to Hashem. Through his song “Never Alone,” Rabbi Jake reminds his young listeners that Hashem is always with them, even if they’re feeling lonely or discouraged.
“When it’s dark or late at night, kids get scared,” Rabbi Jake said. “And while it’s totally natural, at the same time they have this idea that they’re never alone, that they always have Hashem in their lives to call on or talk to.”
Along with his positive messaging, Rabbi Jake’s tracks bring something new to his third album—in his songs Ashreinu and Listen Talmudim, he features his choir, The Atlanta Jewish Boys Choir. Before the pandemic, Rabbi Jake and his choir performed at many local venues, including a concert in the auditorium of Georgia Tech as part of a presentation by Eva Schloss, Holocaust survivor and stepsister of Anne Frank.
Rabbi Jake also stepped into his producer shoes for his third album, an experience that helped him connect with his music in a deeper way.
“In the past I’d send off a demo to someone, they’d create the music and there would be a lot of back and forth,” Rabbi Jake said. “I’ve always been very involved in the songwriting process—I write the music—and this time around I’ve created each song from scratch. Each song has become a world of its own for me, and it’s been a labor of love.”
The pandemic has forced Rabbi Jake to get even more creative as a musician and a performer. While he normally hosts concerts all over the world, complete with colorful LED lights, bubble machines and candy, Rabbi Jake has been performing virtually over Zoom and hosting mobile and outdoor concerts. He still works birthday parties and Chanukah parties while following COVID-19 safety guidelines.
While “Never Alone” is his favorite song off this album, Rabbi Jake is most excited for kids to hear his single “Smile,” which he hopes buoys people up during these hard times. In his music video, Rabbi Jake coaxes families out of their houses to blow bubbles, dance and sing.
“It’s a fun, upbeat dance track for everyone,” Rabbi Jake said. He often hears from parents and adults that they, too, enjoy his music, and will tune in even when the kids are not around. “I try to teach my students that everyone is unique and that they have a special spark within them, and that’s what “Smile” is all about—people need to let loose and let their soul shine out. To be a light unto the world.”
To book a gig with Rabbi Jake, or to order the album directly, please contact him at [email protected]. You can find “Rabbi Jake: Hashem is Awesome” online at rabbijake.com or in Jewish stores near you. You can also listen to this and earlier albums on Amazon, iTunes or wherever music is sold.
By Elizabeth Zakaim
