CANTOR JEFF KLEPPER Lectures & Classes 2016-17 Multi-media presentations on Jewish music and pop culture Entertaining, informative & thought provoking

Prophets on Guitar (Jewish Songwriters & the Music of Protest) Prophets on Guitar weaves together 20th-century American history, popular music and Jewish social conscience.  From “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” to “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Jewish songwriters have used the power of music to deliver potent political and social messages. With songs, stories, videos and photos, Jeff Klepper has created a powerful tribute to the visionary song-poets of our time.

Jews with Soul (Carole King & the Brill Building Legacy) Back in 1961, teens around the world were listening to majestic pop songs penned by Jewish songwriters at The Brill Building in New York City. Rock legends Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Carole King & Gerry Goffin were just a few of the “Jews with soul,” writing and producing a sizzling pop soundtrack for the new urban landscape. One of those kids with his ear glued to the radio was Jeff Klepper. It was a time like no other, a story that must be told - from a Jewish angle - in song.

Great Jewish Stories of Rock & Roll (aka: Jews in Rock) There’s a lot more to the story of Jews in rock than you think. Did you know that some rockers want you to think of them as Jewish even though they’re not? Can you name the first Hebrew song on a rock album? Did you know that the first “all-girl” band was started by a Holocaust survivor? Most important, do you love rock music? If so, you will love this lively and entertaining program.

Izzy, Moe and Zal (Jews and the ’60s Folk Revival) For over half a century, the legacy of 1960s folk music has been profound — its influence is deep and wide. Yet, many aren’t aware that Jews were prominent among the architects and leaders of the ’60s Folk Revival. The cultural winds of these times may be blowin’ in a different direction, but without the Folk Revival, today’s music would not be what it is; and without its Jewish component, the Folk Revival would not have been as powerful or long-lasting as it was.

Bob Dylan’s Jewish Blues Featuring rare historical video, Jeff explores Bob Dylan’s spiritual journey from the early 1960s though Time Out of Mind, his mid-career masterpiece. Jeff also sings his own Dylan-esque parodies, praised by historian David Kaufman in the book Jewhooing the Sixties: “The effect is hilarious, nicely displaying Klepper’s ability to both ’channel’ Dylan and project Jewishness onto him; to both honor his hero and gently mock Dylan’s lack of overt Jewish religiosity, all at the same time.” Dylan recently turned 75 and continues to perform his music around the world.

Songs You Never Learned in Shul (Jewish Music Humor) Given our rich musical heritage, it’s no surprise we have a special knack for poking fun at ourselves...through song. If ”comedy is serious business,” the hilarious satires of comic legends like Fanny Brice, Allan Sherman, Mel Brooks, Kinky Friedman (not to mention Sarah Silverman and Sacha Baron Cohen) tell us much about Jewish cultural identity in America. Jeff has been collecting this material for years and presenting it across the country. It is funny, challenging and provocative, a guaranteed discussion-starter.

CELL/TEXT: (617) 501-5123 • EMAIL: jeff1326@me.com • WEB: jeffklepper.blogspot.com

CANTOR JEFF KLEPPER Musical Programs 2016-17

Jeff Klepper (along with Dan Freelander, his partner in the duo Kol B’Seder) created a new kind of participatory Hebrew-folk-pop music that became, for many, the soundtrack to their Jewish lives. You probably grew up singing their melodies for “Modeh Ani,” “Lo Alecha,” and “Shalom Rav.” Kol B’Seder’s music has become a cherished part of camps, schools, and services in Jewish communities far and wide. (If requested, Jeff will include a musical tribute to his friend, Debbie Friedman, z"l.)

Intimate coffee-house style concerts Jeff shares his favorite original songs in an informal atmosphere — your requests are welcome.

Religious school & family concerts The sound of kids and adults singing together, with clapping, excitement, learning and humor.

Shabbat evening guest-composer services Jeff’s classic Shabbat melodies are brought to life with your cantor, choir and temple musicians.

Special Hands-on Workshops:

Singing in harmony (for volunteer choirs) Learn and sing beautiful prayer melodies by Debbie Friedman, Jeff Klepper, and others.

Song and service leading Turn your guitar-playing teens, teachers and congregants into Jewish song-leaders.

CANTOR JEFF KLEPPER is widely respected for his musical role in contemporary American Judaism. He was raised in New York City and began to play the guitar at age eight. In 1969, while studying to be a song-leader in NFTY, he befriended Debbie Friedman (z”l) and several years later, as a college student, he met Dan Freelander, who would become his singing partner in the duo Kol B’Seder for more than four decades. Inspired by Debbie’s music, Jeff and Dan began to create original Jewish songs, and among their first efforts was “Shalom Rav” in 1973. Debbie and Jeff joined forces in 1992 to create the annual Hava Nashira Workshop for song-leaders. After graduating HUC-JIR, Jeff served congregations in New York, Haifa, and Evanston, IL before coming to Boston with his wife, Deeana, and daughters, Rachel and Liora. He has been the cantor of Temple Sinai in Sharon, MA since 2003, and serves on the faculty of the School of Jewish Music at Hebrew College in Newton, MA.

JEFF’S LECTURE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED AT:

CAJE & NewCAJE, Limmud Boston, Gann Academy, Hava Nashira, Hebrew College, JCC MetroWest, Temple Israel (Tulsa, OK), Belmont Temple Center, Temple Israel (Boston), Cong Beth El (Sudbury),

Cong B’nai Shalom (Westboro), Temple Emanuel (Worcester), Synagogue Council of MA.

CELL/TEXT: (617) 501-5123 • EMAIL: jeff1326@me.com • WEB: jeffklepper.blogspot.com