Rabbi Menachem Schmidt is a longtime Chabad Rabbi at the University of Pennsylvania and the founder of multiple initiatives like Jewish Heritage Programs, the Jewish Relief Agency, and the Old City Jewish Art Center—an innovative gallery in the heart of Philadelphia that brings Jewish art and expression into public conversation. In this episode he shares how he founded the gallery as a way to reach Jews who might not walk into a synagogue, creating a space where creativity becomes a bridge to Jewish identity.
But in this episode, we explore a more intimate layer of his mission: the spiritual power of music. As the lead guitarist of the Baal Shem Tov Band, Rabbi Schmidt shares his vision of music—and creativity more broadly—as a gateway to connection, joy, and a return to Judaism. He speaks about the spontaneous, soul-stirring nature of niggun, and how music breaks through barriers that words alone cannot.
About Rabbi Menachem Schmidt:
https://www.lubavitchhouse.com/
https://collive.com/too-cool-for-shul/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp-WKJsIRiI
Artists and creatives Rabbi Menachem thinks you should know:
Avi Piamenta - https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/4579840/jewish/Band-of-Brothers.htm
Mel Alexenberg - https://www.melalexenberg.com/
Baruch Nachshon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Nachshon
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