Jewish Music
Singer and Songwriter Alisa Fineman graduated from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion-The Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in May of 2018 as Cantor, after having served as a Cantorial Soloist for over 25 years. Touring and recording as a singer-songwriter since 1988, she began exploring her cantorial path in 1990 when she was invited to sing for Congregation Emeth in Gilroy, then Temple Beth El in Salinas and Congregation Beth Israel in Carmel and finally Temple Beth El in Aptos, CA. The warmth and appreciation of her community, her love of music and her deeper learning of Judaism’s wisdom tradition and spiritual practice fueled Alisa’s desire to become a cantor.
Alisa resides in the Monterey Bay Area where she continued to live after completing her degree in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz, first working for UCSC at Big Creek Reserve in Big Sur, then growing her career as a touring singer-songwriter. Alisa was hailed by the Monterey Arts Council for her “…extraordinary contribution to the quality of life in Monterey County through the excellence of her work and her vision, passion and dedication to our community.”
Currently freelance, Alisa continues to perform concerts with her life & gifted music partner Kimball Hurd, both award-winning songwriters. Alisa facilitates all life-cycle events and is invited to appear as artist-in residence for congregations and programs across the country. She continues to tour and has recorded a number of CD’s, including several with Kimball. Alisa leads services for Shabbat, holidays, life cycle events, mentors young song-leaders and tutors many B’nai Mitzvah students. “She draws on each child’s unique talents and strengths, inspiring their leadership and confidence,” says HUC Educator Louise Riddell-Kaufman. “The word that best describes Alisa and her music is grace,” says Temple Beth El Aptos President Josh Karter. “Alisa chants and sings with a gentle magnificence.”
CLOSING THE DISTANCE: Poems, Prayers and Love Songs, featuring contemporary arrangements of traditional and original songs from the Jewish Diaspora, marks a radical but natural departure from Alisa’s previous recordings, and a new direction for her musical and humanitarian sensibilities. “Thank you so much for sending your new CD. It is very beautiful. We’ve been listening to it constantly. – Bob Feldman / Redhouse Records “Alisa Fineman’s CD is a marvelous addition to the contemporary voices who continue to give life and vitality to the Jewish tradition. Alisa’s heart is as warm as her superb voice.” – Peter Yarrow “Alisa’s voice is at once delicate and powerful, warm, yet mysterious, but above all it is an open invitation to musicians from diverse traditions to share in the discovery of something new.” – Alex de Grassi “Ravishingly beautiful.” – Dr. Beryl Levinger, Monterey Institute of International Studies “Familiar tunes but rendered in unique and meaningful ways; original pieces that are keenly crafted with a great sense of musicality. I am very excited about this CD.” – Randee Friedman Sounds Write Productions Produced and co-arranged by Alex de Grassi, Alisa sings in Hebrew, Ladino, and English with two guest vocalists, Elias Lammam and Shabda Kahn, singing in Arabic. Set against a mixture of Middle Eastern and Western instrumentation, the arrangements draw from a broad base of traditions that explore the roots of Alisa’s cultural heritage. Read what people are saying about the CD. Read these reviews of the CD. You can purchase Closing The Distance Here. NEW!! Now you can also find Alisa’s music at Jewish Music Downloads.Com And please visit these LINKS to Resources in renewed Jewish spirituality.