061 | Nefesh, Jewgrass, Superbloom and A Debut Album: Support This Amazing Jewish Community!

Part of a series on my Jewish Journey, by Bobby Apperson

In 2019 I wrote on picking a Jewish community in Los Angeles. Despite the pandemic and three moves since it began, I’m still in the Nefesh community and in fact, been working for this dynamic Jewish start-up and community-but-not-called-a synagogue for some time.

The people and uniquely vibrant, activist, and engaged, and the music and ritual are marvelous and distinctive.

Music leader Duvid Swirsky (Moshav Band, Distant Cousins) runs things with original melodies, new songs, and wonderful prayer and cover songs alike. He’s joined by Sally Dworsky (Disney princess, solo artist, and it’s a family affair – Charlie Swirksy); Ari Herstand, founder of Ari’s Take and author of the bestselling How To Make It in the New Music Business; and bandmates Leah Zeger on violin and vocals, Dan Potruch on percussion, and the inimitable Rabbi Susan Goldberg on shaker.

And we’re releasing our debut album, a GoFundMe that officially ends TODAY, May 18, 2021! Anything you can give is amazing, welcomed, and also DOUBLED by our generous board match.

Nefesh means soul; this music, this community, this ritual have soul.

Please give here: https://bitly.com/nefesh-gofundme

Check us out here at nefeshLA.org, including these amazing musicians and the inspiring and wise Rabbi Susan.

And here’s my musical contribution, a monthly playlist including our band members, Jewish listens, artists of color, trans musicians, and podcasts on social justice and more.