Dan Nichols is Coming to Solel

by Rabbi Audrey Pollack, January 31, 2019

Dear Solelniks,

Save the date for our upcoming Dan Nichols concert on Sunday, April 7th, 10am at Solel! This is an event not to be missed. Dan will be bringing a morning of powerful, soulful Jewish music and connection for our Solel family. Join us for an inspiring, energetic and uplifting experience.

Dan Nichols grew up spending his summers at our Reform movement Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) in Zionsville, Indiana. That’s where it all began. “I’m a product of Jewish summer camping,” he says. “[Otherwise] I would not be making Jewish music and I’m not even sure I’d be a musician at all.” His songs include both English and Hebrew and are inspired by Jewish values, Torah and text.

Like many of our families here at Solel, Dan also grew up within a small Jewish community, and found that camp and synagogue were where he found Jewish connection: “Many of these kids are the only Jewish kids in their school. Some are the only Jewish kid in their town. I could relate to that.”

You are already familiar with Dan Nichol’s music. We’ve been singing his prayer settings in our Shabbat and High Holiday services: “Remember Us”, “Or Zarua”, Mi Chamocha, “Hashkiveinu – Spread the shelter of your peace over us” “Asher Yatzar – I thank you for my life, body and soul”. Our youth and teens sing Dan’s music at Solel Bet Sefer, Camp George, NELFTY and youth events. His songs L’takein (The Na Na Song), B’tzelem Elohim, Kehillah Kedoshah, Chazak, Hoshia, and Sweet As Honey have become Jewish communal anthems throughout North
America.

Dan tours over 180 days each year, as artist-in residence and teacher for congregations and camp communities. In 1995, Dan established the Jewish rock band Eighteen (the letters of Chai, Hebrew for “life” add up to 18). Since then, Dan Nichols and Eighteen have released 12 albums of Jewish music. I’ve been privileged to spend time with Dan on faculty at GUCI over the years, and to learn and sing with him at the Hava Nashira Jewish musicians’ retreats. His music influences and inspires Jewish communities across North America and we look forward to welcoming him to Solel!

Get a taste of Dan’s inspiration:

Watch videos of Dan:

L’shalom,

Rabbi Audrey S. Pollack

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