Whether you're a prayer leader, a musician, or just someone who loves music, gather with Joey in Chicago to explore the deep wellspring of Jewish melody, feel the transformative power of communal song, and discover pathways into music as a spiritual practice.
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Jump into harmony and deep musical meditation to discover how ancient prayers become vibrant songs...
Join Rising Song founder and musician Joey Weisenberg for three days of Jewish spiritual music making in Chicago that will transform the way you listen and sing.
Learn More About the Retreat
Schedule Overview
Sunday, May 31: 2:00-5:30
Monday, June 1: 9:30-12:30, 2:00-5:30
Tuesday, June 2: 9:30-12:30, 2:00-5:30
Sunday, May 31
2:00- 4:00 - Singing Gathering
4:15-5:30 - Teaching Session #1
Monday, June 1
9:30-11:00 - Singing Gathering
11:15- 12:30 - Teaching Session #2
12:30-2:00 - Lunch Break (BYOLunch)
2:00-3:30 - Singing Session
3:50- 5:15 - Teaching Session #3
5:15-5:30 - Singing
Tuesday, June 2
9:30-11:00 - Singing Gathering
11:15- 12:30 - Teaching Session #4
12:30-2:00 - Lunch Break (BYOLunch)
2:00-3:15 - Singing Session
3:30- 4:30 - Teaching Session #5
4:45-5:30 - Singing Finale!
First and foremost, we will be singing together for many hours, creating beautiful melodies and collective harmonies.
This retreat is also an all-levels space for bringing your queries and curiosities about Jewish music — from the practical to mystical sides of making music and building singing communities to the song-filled dreamscapes of the Jewish sages and more. Sessions will be interactive and include time for Q&A, so come ready with your questions!
In the teaching sessions, we will be covering the following topics and more::
- The Art of the Nigun
- The Torah of Music
- Beautiful Jewish Scales and Ear Training
- How to Facilitate a Song Circle
- From Psalm to Song: Uncovering the Hidden Melodies of Our Texts
- Kli Zemer: Instruments as Vessels of Song
The early bird registration fee is $475 and ends on March 29. The regular registration fee for this program is $500.
Subscribers to Joey's Song Is Prayer community receive a 10% discount on the registration fee. Enter CHICAGOSUBSCRIBER at checkout.
Scholarships are available - If the fee poses an obstacle to participation, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Alternately, if you'd like to sponsor some scholarship participants, please reach out as well.
We will provide coffee and tea, but food will not be provided. We will provide a list of great lunch restaurants in the area or you are invited to bring your own lunch (Kosher DAIRY) which can be eaten in the beautiful tent next to the lake!
Reflections From Participants
Candace Steingisser
Past Retreat Participant
The Song Is Prayer retreat was life changing and an amazing spiritual experience. Each lesson was infused with joy, and he shared his music with such patience, skill and wisdom. I learned how to listen more attentively to rhythm and understand the significance of one collective voice.
Sasha Borenstein
Past Retreat Participant
The time together with Joey was a looping back, a return to singing, supporting a connection with people who sing and are lifted up by song. The moments with my eyes closed so that I could only pay attention to the song and the melody and the words reverberating inside of my body were precious.
Mike Gildesgame
Past Retreat Participant
Joey is one of the very few people I’ve met who has music in his kishkes. Music and rhythm are as much a part of his being as his breathing and pulse. In particular, his repetition of nigunim for many minutes reminds me of what my friend says about going on silent retreats — it extends a canopy of spirituality over the group.
Hilda Lopez
Past Retreat Participant
It was a blessing to be at song is pray retreat. Studying and singing with Joey will nourish your soul, heart and spirit. It makes no difference if you speak no Hebrew or are not musically inclined.
Liz Feldman
Past Retreat Participant
Three days of deeply soul nourishing song, voices blending together in beautiful harmonies. Wow. And so many nuggets of understanding and new knowledge — the rhythm I FINALLY found, the music theory tidbits, Joey’s thoughtful kavannot. My heart really cracked open.
Cantor Jeff Klepper
Past Retreat Participant
I love how Joey weaves together strands of song, text, prayer, silence, and music theory, all with a sweet sprinkling of humor.
Elana Ponet
Past Retreat Participant
Being in a group of about 60 people, almost all of them new faces and souls provided fresh connections. Joey’s taught us some musical theory concepts to enhance our appreciation of some of the magic of song and sound. I learned so much, and it seemed that everyone left filled with love and joy, inspired to keep learning.
Daniella Stark
Past Retreat Participant
I’ve been an online subscriber and attendee of Joey’s retreats for several years, and always find the experience enriching. He continuously evolves as an artist and a person, so his teaching is renewed each time. It has helped make my own renewal possible.
Louise Enoch
Past Retreat Participant
So much singing, so much wisdom, so much joy!
Meet Joey Weisenberg
Joey Weisenberg, founder of Hadar’s Rising Song Institute, is a musician, teacher, and spiritual guide who has dedicated his life to Jewish song and prayer.
Through decades of teaching, performing, and creating, he helps students connect with music in a deeply meaningful way.
Whether you’re learning to lead prayers, exploring new melodies, or discovering the spiritual power of song, Joey inspires every step of the journey.
Presented in partnership with:
 “I’m so excited to visit Chicago and sing with you all! We’ll have lots of time to make really inspirational music together, so come immerse in a musical mikvah, and join me to study techniques of Jewish spiritual music making. Can’t wait!”Â
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