About Shiur VaShir

The Story Behind the Songs and Lectures

I love to sing. I love to teach. Could I ever bridge the two strengths?

Creativity is our humanistic ability to emulate Hashem, the Master Creator, by actualizing a thought, an emotion, in physical form. For me, music is not merely a form of creative expression, it is a powerful medium, a language  to harness to my other G-d-given creative quality: the gift of teaching. My life journey has brought me to many years in the world of Jewish education- at the high school, seminary, college and women's lectures. When appropriate, I have always loved to sprinkle my lessons with song, intuitively recognizing that musical messages are retained long after a lesson is gone.  And I've learned: - "Even if you can't teach 'em, sing to them!"

Alongside my teaching career, I have been fortunate to script-write, compose and  direct many performances for school and camp audiences. Yet, the bulk of my songs emerged from a moment of inspiration in my personal life. Honestly -  so many songs sat collecting dust on my recorder or on the computer, I grew frustrated, having no one and nowhere to share my overflowing treasury of music.

That is - until round 15 years ago.

I launched my dual passion for teaching and composing by offering free Shiur VaShir performances to ladies in Brooklyn, NY. For over 3 years (2009-2013), every 2 weeks, 2 women found me a host and then put the word out to the female public, free of charge. At each shiur, I presented a meaningful theme accompanied by 7 pieces of original music, using various genres, rhythms, and languages (English and Hebrew). Participants learned a concept as they followed with a song=booklet in hand. The mixture of attendees from every age-group, background and level of Judaism fostered an electric, interactive audience. Some drank in the lecture; others tapped, danced and sang along, and everyone walked away feeling uplifted and ensconced by the comradery.

Within a short 3 years, I was able to record and graphically design 27 of those original 35 Shiur Vashirs in CD format, which was sold privately or at such musical lectures.  That's Baruch Hashem over 200 pieces of music - and message!

But there's lots, lots more, untapped and unperformed music waiting... .

So here we are - years later, in the digital age, with my first attempt to convert and share what I have formerly designed with others. The songs and booklets you will see from the Brochure Collection are my originals - but, recent songs will also have their time to be shared.

With Hashem's help, there will be many new series to come!

Please - dive in and  taste from the reservoir of Hashem's Chamber of Music. I do hope that you can find the message and melody that you seek for this moment in your day.. Let others know. Share the wealth of meaningful music.

Look out for song samples, free downloads, and new posts of fresh topics and series to enjoy!.

Rochel Leah (Rothman) Konigsberg

Composer, producer of Shiur VaShir Production