"Kirtan Rabbi defines a new genre of music and prayer... that transports, elevates, uplifts, enlightens, inspires, and centers. It is at once traditional and innovative and creative and deep and alive. I literally do not know exactly what to say because I feel I have just woken up and tasted a new level of consciousness."
—Rabbi Irwin Kula, President,
The Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (CLAL)
Kirtan Rabbi is an artist who is at the epicenter of a new musical expression.
This expression is practiced via the age-old Yogic chanting style called
'Kirtan', which according to the New York Times is 'the tuneful route to
spiritual bliss and is surging in popularity. Organized chanting sessions,
called Kirtans, happen weekly throughout New York.' When intertwined
with the lyrical language of the Torah and Kabbalah, the result is musical
ecstasy.
WHAT IS KIRTAN?
Kirtan (also known as Bhajan) is a form of chant developed in India to heighten participation, communal
feeling and ecstatic communion with the divine. Its main distinguishing feature is a formula of singing based
on call-and-response. The chant facilitator offers something and then the participants return the favor. As
Krishna Das likes to say, “I sing a line, then you sing a line.” This makes the chant easy to follow and learn.
Kirtan is fully participatory. It breaks down the barrier between “leader” and “listener.”
Most chants in a kirtan will begin softly, slowly and with deliberate concentration in order to build up the
kavannah (intention). A phrase here and a phrase there. The words do not matter; the intonation and the
resulting connection with the divine do. As the chant goes on, it will usually pick up in pace and volume.
The excitement becomes rampant. Most everybody finds himself or herself swaying to the music and many
discover a need to get up and move their bodies in sufi-like dance and others close their eyes and simply
listen. After some time, most chants will slow down and come to their natural conclusion. Often a short
moment of silent meditation follows.
Depending on the needs of the moment, the kirtan leader will break any and all of these “rules.” For
example, when the meditation grows to an ecstatic pitch, it often just happens that everyone is singing
continually; the call-and-response form has dropped away.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Hebrew kirtan is for anyone who is open to it. Singer and non-singer alike. Jew and non-Jew. No knowledge
of Hebrew is necessary. It's enough to know that one is chanting and praising the beauty of the world.
Rabbi Andrew Hahn is an ordained rabbi who has forged two
ancient traditions into a timely and universal message of the sacred. His
studies include Ph.D. in Jewish Thought from The Jewish Theological
Seminary, New York (Conservative) and rabbinic ordination from the
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, New York (Reform).
Andrew has been involved in music and song his entire life. His family
breathed music and loved to sing together. To this day, he enjoys singing
niggunim (wordless melodies), zemirot (songs) and engages the next
generation; his nieces and nephews. As much as he loves facilitating public
Kirtans and synagogue prayer with music, his favorite venue will always
remain, the Shabbat table.
Reb Drew In Your Community
Kirtan Rabbi would love to bring programming to you. Hosting a Hebrew Kirtan and having Reb Drew come teach will:
* Offer something utterly unique and special for your community
* Foster a sense of group spirituality so desperately sought after in congregations, community centers and on college campuses
* Gently introduce cutting-edge practices to your community under the outside guidance of someone with proven change management experience at introducing new things
* Draw in unaffiliated people who are hungry for a way to participate and haven't done so for years
* Heighten your profile in the general community
* Bring a deeply trained teacher of Jewish Kabbalistic wisdom to your yoga studio whose main media is Bhakti yoga
Reb Drew has many ways that he can serve you. He expertly tailors all of his offerings to fit your community. It is magical to see how he can get a whole room chanting and swaying — especially when no one there has ever done anything remotely like this before.
Bring kirtan to your community for...
Havdallah
Kabbalat Shabbat
Tai Chi Kavannah
Text Study
Shabbatons
Weddings and other Life-Cycle Events
Kiddie Kirtan new!
Andrew Hahn possesses two gifts that distinguish him from the pack: daring and humility. He'll take you to
very high places, but not to put himself any higher; he'll open your heart, but not take advantage. Add to
that his grounding in Jewish text (he's a rabbi and holds a Ph.D. in Jewish philosophy after all) redoubled
with his telepathic connection with the brilliant Shoshana Jedwab, and "Hebrew Kirtan" is a program that
inspires and transforms. This is not your bubbe's Judaism — but after a few minutes, she'll be clapping and
dancing along with the rest of us.
