Celebrate Sukkot with Nefesh Mountain at Temple Sinai

For many of us, autumn in New England evokes memories of old-fashioned harvest festivals amid comfortably cool air and fire-colored leaves.  But for Jews, autumn is synonymous with several of our most beloved holidays, not the least of which is Sukkot, “the Festival of ingathering at the year’s end”  (Exodus 34:22), celebrating the completion of the harvest.

On Oct. 15, beginning at 6:15 p.m., Temple Sinai, in Cranston, will celebrate Sukkot in a very special way.  In addition to decorating the sukkah and saying the blessings, there will be a special Oneg of homemade harvest treats, an auction of three show-stopping homemade cakes, and a raffle of gift baskets. But wait, there’s more: a concert by Nefesh Mountain, one of the nation’s premiere bluegrass groups!  And, thanks to the generosity of the temple’s Schreiber Music Fund, the celebration is free. 

While bluegrass may be little known in our part of the country, Nefesh Mountain is not.  Nefesh is Hebrew for soul, and you will hear plenty of it from this unique group that combines secular music with a base of Jewish prayers.  (Have a listen at  https://youtu.be/IArEHIDYCrs – and get ready to dance!) The band has been called “a master class in string music!” by Rolling Stone; “arguably some of the best bluegrass every made!” by American Songwriter; “infectious, exuberant, and infused with pure melodic prowess,” by Bluegrass Today; and “refined, timeless bluegrass” by The Bluegrass Situation.

The group is comprised of five superlative musicians, led by the husband-and-wife team of Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg, who craft their music with a higher purpose:  to promote peace, love and joy. More particularly, they truly believe that their music can help fight antisemitism.

“There have been many times where we’ve been on really large stages with all different people of all different backgrounds, where I’ve looked at Eric and I’ve been really scared to sing in Hebrew … not knowing what’s going to come,” Zasloff said.

“There have been some moments that are really disturbing, but at the same time, I think it fuels us to keep going and to continue to just put love out and hope that the music can maybe change somebody’s view or be a bridge …. We’re trying to share the beauty of this culture and these ancient texts in a way that anyone could appreciate.”

Nefesh Mountain’s sound integrates elements of klezmer and Celtic music, while also –incredibly – interweaving suggestions of Phish and the Grateful Dead.  But it is always firmly based in traditional bluegrass and its evocation of rollicking life. To quote Rolling Stone magazine, “…the band is a powerhouse unit, full of the ‘Let’er go, boys!’ verve that defined the mountain string bands of the early Grand Ole Opry.”

Come “Celebrate Sukkot!” at Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave., Cranston. The Oct. 15 event begins outdoors at 6:15 p.m. in the sukkah, so bring your harvest items to help decorate.  This will be followed by Nefesh Mountain at 7, and a festive harvest Oneg at 8:30. The event is free and open to the public, but you must have a ticket, which are limited.  To reserve a ticket, go to https://celebrate-sukkot-at-templesinairi.eventbrite.com.

DEBORAH JOHNSON is the cantor at Temple Sinai, in Cranston.