DEBORAH SACKS MINTZ
Musician. Prayer Leader. Educator.
ABOUT DEBORAH
A transformative prayer leader and musician, Deborah Sacks Mintz has served innovative institutions around the country as a teacher of Torah and communal Jewish music. As the Community Singing Consultant of Hadar’s Rising Song Institute, Deborah serves as a resource to those seeking to cultivate the grassroots musical and spiritual creativity of the Jewish people.
In addition to composing new Jewish music, Deborah can be found regularly performing and recording with a myriad of musicians and ensembles. A Wexner Graduate Fellow, Deborah is pursuing rabbinical ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
MUSIC AND PRAYER
As an experienced ba'al tefilah and leader of communal prayer, Deborah seeks to support communities in unlocking their own abilities to lead and empower their spiritual selves. Through composing and sharing new liturgical music, Deborah offers a fresh take on a deeply traditional sound.
A sensitive vocalist with a passion for thoughtful harmonies, Deborah is a sought-after collaborative musician. Her ease and versatility in a broad range of styles (from Ashkenazi nigunim and Sephardi piyyutim to chazzanut and contemporary folk) has led her to become a frequent collaborator of some of the leading voices in Jewish music. She has performed and recorded with innovative artists including Joey Weisenberg, Noah Aronson, Basya Shechter, and Josh Warshawsky.
Shir Hamaalot, Joey Weisenberg and the Hadar Ensemble
Lincoln's Nigun, Joey Weisenberg and the Hadar Ensemble
Min Hametzar, with Rabbi Yosef Goldman
Pitchu Li, with Shani Ben Or
Anim Zemirot, written by Josh Warshawsky
Makom Bina, performed with Shir Yaakov Feit
Shiru Ladonai (Ps. 96), B'nai Jeshurun, New York, NY
Featuring Dan Nadel, Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer, and Hazzan George Mordecai.
Mizmor Shir, Cantor Julia Cadrain, Central Synagogue, New York, NY
Adapted from Makom Bina, by Deborah Sacks Mintz
WORKSHOPS
Whether you are a layleader or clergy member, song facilitator or participant, Deborah will partner with you to explore and deepen the skill set of empowered prayer and connective song through her dynamic and innovative workshops.
CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 2019
September 6-8 Scholar-in-Residence, Congregation Torat-El Oakhurst, NJ
September 17 The Convening - Jewish Women's Foundation of NY New York, NY
September 21 Joey Weisenberg and the Hadar Ensemble in Concert New Rochelle, NY
September 21 Musical SelIchot, Beth El Synagogue Center . New Rochelle, NY
September 23 Pre-High Holiday Lecture Series, Hadar Institute New York NY
September 29-October 9 High Holiday Shaliach Tzibbur, B'nai Jeshurun New York NY
NOVEMBER 2019
November 1-3 Scholar-in-Residence, Congregation Shomrei Emunah Montclair, NJ
DECEMBER 2019
December 6-9 Artist-in-Residence, USCJ Biennial Boston, MA
December 7 Melaveh Malkah Concert (USCJ Biennial) Boston, MA
December 8 Josh Warshawsky in Concert (USCJ Biennial) Boston, MA
December 9 Joey Weisenberg and the Hadar Ensemble in Concert Boston, MA
CALENDAR
JANUARY 2020
January 10-11 Artist-in-Residence, JCP Downtown New York, NY
January 12-14 Deborah Sacks Mintz Live Album Sessions Philadelphia, PA
January 25 Havdalah Concert with Chava Mirel, Elana Arian, Summit, NJ
and Deborah Sacks Mintz
January 11 Havdalah and Melaveh Malkah Concert, JCP Downtown New York, NY
FEBRUARY 2020
February 1 Joey Weisenberg in Concert, Hadar National Shabbaton Stamford CT
February 6-9 Scholar in Residence, Hebrew Educational Alliance Denver, CO
February 21-23 Scholar in Residence, Beth Am Israel Philadelphia PA
February 22 Concert with Elana Arian and Chava Mirel, Beth Am Israel Philadelphia PA
February 29 Rosh Chodesh Women's Kumzits, B'nai Jeshurun NYC New York, NY
MARCH 2020
March 8 Circle of Communal Song, Kehilat HaNahar New Hope, PA
March 19-22 Scholar in Residence, Congregation Beth Israel Ann Arbor, MI
March 26-29 Scholar in Residence, Hebrew Educational Alliance Denver, CO
March 29 Chaverai Nevarech: Josh Warshawsky in Concert Los Angeles, CA
CONTACT
TESTIMONIALS
Deborah has a voice that can melt your heart. Her prayer leading is deep and soulful and her teaching is inspiring.
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Rabbi David A. Schuck
Beth El Synagogue Center, New Rochelle, NY
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Deborah is an amazing singer, composer, spiritual leader, and musical collaborator who brings her creative energy to the Jewish soundscape. A skilled leader, harmonizer and listener, she and her music shine both in and out of the spotlight. With her rich singing in the Hadar Ensemble, Deborah has already shaped the sound of many of our albums, and is now bringing her musical-spiritual vision and melodies to communities throughout North America as a traveling scholar/consultant with Hadar’s Rising Song Institute. Bring Deborah to your community soon!
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Joey Weisenberg
Creative Director, Hadar’s Rising Song Institute
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As a workshop facilitator, Deborah creates a safe space in which failure feels like an opportunity to grow. She takes the time to learn from each of her students, and encourages them to share. Deborah has the ability to find a balance in gently holding space and empowering participants to feel confident in sharing music or Torah, regardless of their background. As she holds a wealth of knowledge in both rabbinic & musical study, Deborah is incredibly gifted at simplifying challenging information to a size that feels digestible, without making her students feel inadequate, nor losing any of the nutrients of the topic. She possesses humor, grace, and the ability to welcome anyone with warmth and meet them where they are - all of which allow her to be a great educator and musician.
Aleya Schwartz
Prayer Leadership Workshop participant
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Deborah has an enormous natural talent that was easily and effectively applied to the education of my community. She energized us through her innovative programs, great music, and inspiring personal presence.
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Rabbi Ethan Linden
Director, Camp Ramah in the Berkshires
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Deborah did an incredible job crafting and leading Shabbat morning services and Hallel for our son's Bar Mitzvah. The davening was just magical. It is not just that her voice is beautiful, but she davened with such meaning and kavanah that the service became a true spiritual experience. For me, and for all those who attended from across the religious spectrum, her leading just cannot be eclipsed...it is truly the way prayer is meant to be prayed.
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Jeff Feig
New York, NY
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Deborah is a creative, dynamic, and spiritual leader, and excellent family educator. As an experiential educator, Deborah has a unique ability to inspire parents and children to build more meaningful relationships with each other and with Jewish tradition as they engage in Jewish life and learning.
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Rabbi Shira Koch Epstein
Executive Director, 14th Street Y
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