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Evidently, Shabbat Rocks

Not to be outdone by Jesus-infused guitar riffs, the Jewish world has begun rocking. In fact, if you google the phrase “Shabbat Rocks” you’ll find that more and more synagogues are bringing thumping basslines and drum fills into the sanctuary.

And while I’m not sure that “Reb Jason” is in it for all the right reasons when he says, “It’s a pretty amazing thing for me to hear kids listening to my CD in the car instead of someone like The Black Eyed Peas or Gwen Stefani…” it’s certainly true that people seem to be responding to this brand of up-tempo contemporary worship. Especially the kids. The kids dig it. The kids think Shabbat Rocks.

In fact, my old boss at Hillel has taken a new job, creating programming like this around the country. And I bet he’ll do a kickass job at it.

I’ll admit… it creeps me out a little. Because I always hated Christian rock and “fun” religion. The young lifers I went to high school with. It feels manipulative and a tad cheesey to dress up your faith in temporary trends… like grownups who wear “cool” clothes and say things like “yo” and “dude”.

But all my bass (heh heh) instincts aside, I should give this movement a chance, and recognize that anything that gets kids learning is worth it. Anything that makes religious life meaningful is a good thing.

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