Leah Shoshanah
Songwriter * Cantorial Soloist * Educator
Jewish music that brings prayer closer.
My name is Leah. I work with Jewish communities to connect them to prayer through song. I work most often with those who are just entering into the practice of Jewish prayer and need support with the Kavanah (intention) as they pray. Yet, experienced davveners also enjoy my musical offerings and prayer leadership.
I write music from prayers with easily singable Hebrew and English lyrical adaptations that speak to the moment we are living in today. I also adapt folk songs to prayer, resource historical Jewish music and, of course, I sing and lead traditional and contemporary prayer.
Musical prayer that ranges the gamut of genres.
Because I have a background in jazz, funk, classical and folk music, I bring in a wide range of influences when planning music for a prayer service. When I am planning music for a service, I like to create moments for movement, maximize singing along and also honor tradition.
My original Mi Chamocha, singing live at Shir Hadash in Wheeling, IL with my Shabbat Band, “Leah and the Lights”.
This is my original take on the Lecha Dodi Piyyut (liturgical poem) that condenses nine Hebrew stanzas into three relate-able English stanzas with some Hebrew singalong parts and movement. The other musician is my cousin, Adam Gottlieb, who is also a great songwriter!
Concerts that unite communities.
In concerts, I am able to share music from a wide variety of sources — from my own original folk to prayers, Yiddish & Sephardic music, folk songs and more. I curate my concerts to bring communities together and meet the moment, the season, the holiday, or the occasion. These concerts involve lots of moments for group singing, dancing and contemplation.
This video is from Tikkun V’Or (Ithaca, NY), where I was a resident musical artist for a weekend in October 2025. This song was an encore. The community surprised me with a tie-dye shirt, recreated the sign from the music video of this song, and sang along and danced with me!
Another clip from my concert at Tikkun V’Or. This song was written about the divide between anti-Zionism and Zionism and the hope that these two sides can find enouth common ground to move toward the Shalem (wholeness) within Shalom (peace).
Supporting Communities through Grief.
Some of the most meaningful work that I do is around ritual and grief. I have sung prayers and songs at many funerals and memorials over the years. I sing and chant traditional prayers, and I also have created my own adaptations of prayers based on research.
A clip of me singing an arrangement of Rabbi Yitzhak Husbands Hankin’s “El Malei Rachamim” with my dad accompanying me Cello. This video is, unfortunately, from the funeral of our dear friend, Elliot Weis, who passed away in 2025.
A clip from Elliot’s memorial of a grief song that I wrote to celebrate his life. I have since shared this song with other communities who also appreciate the way the song moves grief in their spirit. The lyrics begin at 1:45.
Mentorship and Education.
I offer B’nai Mitzvah preparation and private guitar, voice and songwriting instruction. I help students of all ages build their skills and find a meaningful, personal connection to music, tradition and their own creative voice.
Though I’d like my students to develop a skill that they have a relationship with for their whole lives, I recognize that students may not continue with their instrument or Judaism forever. So, for me, what is important is that the student connects to their own Spirit — through playing an instrument or studying Torah — and that those lessons remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Song Circles
Spirit Jam - a Song Circle and Vocal Improv Playshop
A Practice of Presence
Spirit Jam is a space for communal singing and vocal play. We begin with the grounding of the breath and simple, soulful melodies that anyone can learn. These song circles act as our foundation, moving us from listening into participating. From there, we explore the edges of our voices through guided games and collective improvisation—finding a unique, unrepeatable harmony in the present moment.
No musical background is required. Whether we are singing a traditional chant, an original folk hymn, or an improvised soundscape, the goal is the same: to return to the body and find the song that is waiting to be shared.
An original Ahavah Rabah song that I caught while hiking in the mountains of Sedona. Ahavah Rabah means “abundant love” and it is from a Jewish prayer. The prayer speaks to the divine love that surrounds us.
“Leah is a masterful teacher and facilitator. For the Spirit Jam, she brought together a great group of people and guided us through two hours of activity: teachings to focus our breathing and games to encourage us to use our voices in different ways – all in preparation for the spirit jam itself, where we improvised sound and rhythm for an extended time. I loved it.”
- Caryn Chaden, Chicago, IL
Here’s what people have said about my work.
“We were particularly touched by her own compositions, which clearly came directly from her heart. A number of my members described being moved to tears multiple times...”
- Rabbi Shoshanah Kaminsky, Temple Beth-El, South Bend, Indiana“Anyone who is looking for a cantorial soloist should jump at the chance to work with Leah Shoshanah. She strikes this rare mix of knowing the traditional songs and blessings so well, at the same time as bringing her own deep and meaningful originality to bear.”
-Maya Schenwar, editor-in-chief of Truthout Magazine, Chicago
Leah Shoshanah brought exactly what our community needed during a challenging time. As tensions ran high in our congregation around differing perspectives on Israel and Palestine, her work as a bridge-builder and healer through music was precisely what could serve us.
Her Saturday night performance was transformative…. She had us being silly, dancing, crying, laughing—really experiencing the full spectrum of our humanity.
To round out the weekend, Leah Shoshanah led our religious school students in song with remarkable skill and attentiveness. Her ability to meet people where they are, whether adults navigating complex emotions or children eager to play and discover, is truly a gift.
The impact has been remarkable. Countless community members have told me that the weekend with Leah Shoshanah was exactly the healing balm they needed, that her concert was the best they had ever experienced, and they've asked repeatedly when she can return.
We can't wait for her next visit and recommend that every Jewish community bring her to sing with you.
-Michael Margolin, Spiritual Leader and Rabbinical Student at Congregation Tikkun v’Or
“She sings from the heart, and connects with the people she is working with and singing with. She is both talented and fully approachable and fun to work with.”
-Rabbi Shalom Bochner, Congregation Beth Shalom, Modesto, CA“Her deep and lively music awakens something in all of us. She blends creativity with artistry in a way that lifts our spirits and elevates our worship unlike anything else.”
-Rabbi Schachar Orenstein, Shir Hadash, Wheeling IL“Leah Shoshanah brought such depth, passion, compassion, humor, and a wonderful spirit of generosity to her incredible musical performance. With her beautiful voice and creative songwriting, she gave us two hours of uplifting music. At times sad, at times joyful, at times humorous, always right to the heart. And she really tuned into our beautiful community and how we work hard to include everyone. It was an evening that will resonate for me for a long time.”
-Annie, Tikkun V’Or, Ithaca NY
“I was deeply moved by the beauty and power of her voice and presence. Leah combines traditional songs and blessings, her own original music and a passion for social justice in a way that immediately invited me into the congregation. With respect and love, Leah shares music in many languages and heritages, highlighting our human interconnectedness at a time when the world is in such deep need for compassion, justice, peace and solidarity. Over the last ten years, it’s been exciting to observe Leah develop as a musician—her voice both grounded and ethereal- and as a spiritual leader, where she helps so many of us find strength, solace and inspiration. I have also had the chance to sing alongside Leah as part of Tzedek Music Makers, an experience that has been deeply fulfilling and exciting, an immensely enriching and joyous opportunity. By helping me to grow as a musician, Leah has extended kindness and generosity that means the world to me.”
- Deborah Adelman, ChicagoLet’s Create Together.
Whether you’re imagining a weekend residency, planning a meaningful ritual, or just looking for a new way to bring people together—I’d love to connect with you. Reach out and let's see what we can create.
Work with me.
I am available around the Chicagoland area and tour the country to lead musical prayer for services, holy days and life cycle ceremonies. I also perform concerts and lead song circles. I teach students in-person and on Zoom.
Jewish Music & Ritual
Providing soulful cantorial leadership for services, weddings, and life-cycle events. I bridge the beauty of traditional melodies with creative, modern interpretations of liturgy—always rooted in a heartfelt connection to spirit.
"An incredibly spiritual presence and a consummate professional... a gift to every community." — R’ Shoshanah Kaminsky, Temple Beth Israel, South Bend, IN
Concerts and Residencies
Performing original folk music and leading song circles for diverse communities. I offer focused single engagements and immersive weekend residencies that bridge contemporary folk with soulful Jewish leadership.
"At times sad, at times joyful... always right to the heart. An evening that will resonate for a long time." - Annie, Tikkun V’Or
Mentorship & Education
Offering B’nai Mitzvah preparation and private guitar, voice and songwriting instruction. I help students of all ages build their skills and find a meaningful, personal connection to music, tradition and their own creative voice.
"A masterful teacher and facilitator... I loved it." — Caryn Chaden
Hi, I’m Leah. I write and play Jewish music with a folk sentiment and folk music with a spiritual sentiment.
Basically, I try to make people feel better with music.
I do this through 1) Jewish Music and Ritual, 2) Concerts and Residencies and 3) Mentorship and Education.
What My Music Sounds Like
Ok! Ok! Well… since you asked so many times… here are a few selections of my songs to give you a sense of the range of styles I write and play in.
This is my song about Lake Michigan. This was recorded for a documentary about lake swimming during the pandemic. It was mid December and 32 degrees out when we filmed this. Also, this was filmed on the shores of Lake Michigan near where I live in Chicago.
This is the official music video for my song, Brave Woman. I wrote this during my “jazz phase”. The song was recorded at Mystery Street Studios in one day. I shot the music video on an unseasonably warm Christmas Day.
This is my original take on the Lecha Dodi Piyyut (liturgical poem) that condenses nine Hebrew stanzas into three relate-able English stanzas with some Hebrew singalong parts and movement. The other musician is my cousin, Adam Gottlieb, who is also a great songwriter!
This is from my folk-funk album release show for “To Be Free”. This song is “Surf’s Up”, a song about how instagram makes me feel. We played with calling this project “Leah and the Lake”.
So, how can we work together?
Great question! There are so many ways we can work together.
Basically, they fall into these three categories:
1) Concerts , 2) Jewish Music & Ritual and 3) Education
Scroll down to learn more.
Jewish Music and Ritual
I provide Jewish music, Cantorial and Ritual leadership for services, weddings, and life-cycle events. My style is a mix of traditional nusach, original melodies, contemporary Jewish music and folk-song/prayer mashups.
I work with my clients to create services that are meaningful for them (this includes B’ Mitzvah students!).
When we work together, I talk about the Kavanah of prayers, and we find the mix of traditional, creative and contemporary that moves you to a place of prayer.
This is a unique version of Yair Rosenblum’s “Untane Tokef” that I bring to communities during Rosh Hashanah. I arranged this for my voice and guitar from a full choir score that I found in a synagogue library in 2016.
“We had the extraordinary joy and privilege of welcoming Leah Shoshanah as our cantorial soloist over the High Holy Days this year. She was both an incredibly spiritual presence and a consummate professional… We were particularly touched by her own compositions, which clearly came directly from her heart. A number of my members described being moved to tears multiple times during the ten days. She is a gift to every community that is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to host her.”
- Rabbi Shoshanah Kaminsky, Temple Beth-El, South Bend, IndianaWhat’s my background? Where was I trained to do what I do?
My training is totally unique. My soul has a strong will and I couldn’t bully it into choosing a straight-ahead path. So, over my lifetime, together (me and my Soul) we have studied music (opera, jazz, classical), poetry (performance and written), theater, improvisation, meditation, yoga, visual art, journalism, conscious body movement and have been immersed in Jewish prayer all along.
Within the musical world, I’ve been all over the place. I’ve written folk, funk, and jazz music. I’ve had projects for each of these genres over the years. These genres tend to find their way into my Jewish compositions. When people ask me about what my music sounds like, it’s hard to explain, because it just sounds like… me.
A live recording of my original melody for Mi Chamocha. This is how I reimagined a prayer of liberation as a contemporary folk hymn. This recording features my dad, David Cowen, on Cello.
Concerts and Residencies
I perform original folk music and lead song circles for diverse communities. I do this in a single focused engagement and also within larger weekend residencies or Shabbatons.
I really like to get to know people, and I often collaborate with community members for my concerts and services in the places I tour.
A weekend residency (or Shabbaton) includes prayer services, a concert and a Spirit Jam, which is a song circle plus a vocal improv workshop.
Of course, I’m always available for regular concerts in all types of venues — halls, clubs, pottery shops, cafes, living rooms, forests, community centers, etc.
“Leah Shoshanah brought such depth, passion, compassion, humor, and a wonderful spirit of generosity to her incredible musical performance. With her beautiful voice and creative songwriting, she gave us two hours of uplifting music. At times sad, at times joyful, at times humorous, always right to the heart. And she really tuned into our beautiful community and how we work hard to include everyone. It was an evening that will resonate for me for a long time.”
-Annie, Congregation Tikkun V’Or, Ithaca NY
Mentorship and Education
I offer B’nai Mitzvah preparation and private guitar, voice and songwriting instruction. I help students of all ages build their skills and find a meaningful, personal connection to music, tradition and their own creative voice.
Though I’d like my students to develop a skill that they have a relationship with for their whole lives, I recognize that students may not continue with their instrument or Judaism forever. So, for me, what is important is that the student connects to their own Spirit — through playing an instrument or studying Torah — and that those lessons remain with them for the rest of their lives.
“Leah is a masterful teacher and facilitator. For the Spirit Jam, she brought together a great group of people and guided us through two hours of activity: teachings to focus our breathing and games to encourage us to use our voices in different ways – all in preparation for the spirit jam itself, where we improvised sound and rhythm for an extended time. I loved it.”
- Caryn Chaden, Chicago, IL
"She strikes this rare mix of knowing the traditional songs and blessings so well, at the same time as bringing her own deep and meaningful originality to bear."
— Maya Schenwar, Editor of Truth Out Magazine