Shalom my friends, welcome to the Light Lab Podcast, where we play with prayer and hold the gems of our liturgy to the light. My name is Eliana Light and I am so, so glad you are here. Would you like to take a big deep breath with me? Over the past about two to three weeks when someone has asked me, How are you Eliana? I have responded, my friend, Liav, who was part of our Siddur Project of Opening in LA reminded us at that gathering, that sigh contains all of the emotions within it, and it can be whatever we need it to be in that moment. It can be relief, and gratitude, and woe, and angst, and so many other emotions on the emotion wheel. And I think I've been feeling so many of those recently. There is grief, so much grief, for the violence in the world. There is grief for what we've been seeing in our own communities. There's grief, at the action and inaction of our leadership, all sorts of grief. And there are also these beautiful moments of connection. I mean, tomorrow I leave for Song Leader Boot Camp, where so many of my amazing Jewish music friends and colleagues will be and I'm so excited. And the grief is still there. The sigh, as we have shared, is just singing. That's what singing is. And just like the sigh can hold and express all of what we are feeling even if we cannot name it, so can the song. And I think no one encapsulates that more in their amazing work in the world than our guest today, Batya Levine. Batya is the Director of Programs of Let My People Sing. And I was trying to think of when I first met Batya, I don't remember. I've been, I've had the honor of going to a few Let My People Sing gatherings over the years and they have always been so thoughtful, and joyful, and liberation and heart-centered. Just really, really incredible. And I'm so excited that you get to hear our conversation today and learn more about Batya and their amazing work. Batya uses song as a tool for cultivating healing and resilience in their work as a communal song leader, musician, shaliach tzibur, prayer leader, and cultural organizer. They believe in the liberatory power of song to untie what is bound within us and sustain us as we build a more just and beautiful world. Doesn't, that just gives me chills! Like yes, this is we need this work in the world so much. There are recording artists. Their first album Karov is incredible - we'll have links to that. Teacher and alumni of the Rising Song Institute's programs. Batya offers songs and rituals in a variety of communities and composes really incredible original music that they'll talk about, made of Ashkenazi yearning, queer heart medicine and emuna, faith and trust. They are also a lover of the ocean, living room, dance parties and puns, as am I! Really, I feel so grateful that I get to be on the same planet, as Batya, let alone get to be in the same and overlapping spaces of Jewish song. It really is a privilege. And, y'all, we get the honor of supporting Batya in creating their second album - we'll have a link to that. They are currently fundraising to bring more of their incredible music into the world. And I think once you hear this conversation, if you haven't gotten a chance to hear and envelop yourself in Batya's heart-centered music, then you will now and then maybe you'll be inspired to give and share as well. Yeah, I'm, I'm just really, I'm just really stoked. It was important for my heart to have this conversation. And it's an important reminder to me in times that can feel so bleak that the spiritual work that we do with prayer and song is important and does matter. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Batya Levine.