Voices For Our Future 2020
Five songs written and performed by over 100 first-time and future voters (ages 7-18), from five communities, in support of five organizations.
All money from sales of this project will be donated equally among the five organizations selected by the songwriters.
Music for social justice
“Gesher Tzar M’od”
Written and performed by Woodlands Community Temple & Alan Goodis
White Plains, New York
In support of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action
“Pieces”
Written and performed by North Shore Congregation Israel & Alan Goodis
Glencoe, Illinois
In support of NSCI’s Refugee Resettlement Project: A collaboration with RefugeeOne
“In This Place (V’asu Li Mikdash)”
Written and performed by URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute & Alan Goodis
Zionsville, Indiana
In support of The Blue Dove Foundation
“One Heart”
Written and performed by Congregation Beth Tikvah & Alan Goodis
Columbus, Ohio
In support of The Southern Poverty Law Center
“Stand Up! (Chazak Ve’ematz)”
Written and performed by URJ Eisner Camp & Alan Goodis
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
In support of The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Where it began
In the summer of 2012 I led a program in partnership with URJ Eisner Camp to help young people express themselves on important issues through songwriting. This program was an incredible success for camp and for me personally. We wrote and recorded songs that participants were proud of. We studied and explored complex issues and ideas like combating bullying, our role to be change makers in the world and answering the call to stand up, be courageous and unafraid when we believe taking action is necessary. We anchored these songs in Jewish text.
I initially thought this program could only exist and prosper in a camp setting. I was encouraged by clergy, educators and youth professionals to beta test this program with a congregation. To my surprise and delight the congregational model worked and was just as impactful and successful as it has been with a camp community.
These successes have sparked my desire to play a more meaningful role in helping kids and teens find their voice through composing and recording original songs. I thought there would be no better time to launch this project than in the year leading up to the 2020 Presidential Election. Despite COVID-19 sidelining plans to facilitate this program with 8 communities, I am incredibly humbled and proud to release the 5 songs we created. Working with over 100 young people was an eye-opening view into the issues that first-time and future voters hold closest to their hearts.