Embracing Judaism through Bible Rap at the Merrick Jewish Centre

When you think of music in the Jewish faith, you don’t necessarily think of rap — but that all changes with Bible Raps. 

Matt Bar, the Executive Director of Bible Raps, made his way to the Merrick Jewish Centre on Dec. 4 to teach kids how seamlessly they can blend rap and hip-hop music with religion.

“The idea is to show our students there are many different ways to explore Judaism and express their Judaism,” Heléna Eilenberg, education director at the Merrick Jewish Centre said, “so they can express it through singing, through talking, through rapping.”

Barr started Bible Raps in 2007 after his success as a Hebrew School teacher. The full time nonprofit is expanding its focus on co-leading a collaborative organization with Rappers and Rabbis, another group of hip-hop educators.

A session with Bible Raps starts with an example of what a “bible rap” could look like for students. They have the opportunity to write their own lyrics, born from their own perspective on their religion. In groups or pairs, once finished writing their masterpieces, Barr will help them record their beats — using professional headphones, microphones, recording software and all.

Bible Raps has performed in shows and workshops for over 125,000 youth across 75 cities between the United States, United Kingdom and Israel. Their work at summer camps, in the Jewish educational world, and other conventions has helped them garner over 2,500 album sales worldwide.

Gathered around the recording table, students got to listen to their peers through the headphones.

“It shows it’s part of today’s world.” Eilenberg said, “I want to show them they can expresstheir Judaism in the music that they love.”