Speaking series exploring the deep connection between ritual, music and faith. speaking series exploring the deep connection between ritual, music and faith. Presented by Rabbi Dan Ain of Because Jewish and Relix’s Mike Greenhaus present.

Rabbi Dan Ain on Twitter

Preacher and connector, Rabbi Dan Ain gathers those who are open to being reached. He finds holiness in honest conversation, in the spaces where people can say what they really think and allow others to do the same. His latest project Because Jewish creates opportunities for our religious perspectives to be in genuine dialogue with our artists, our musicians and our everyday lives. He has been curating these offerings around NYC at the 92nd St Y (as Director of Tradition and Innovation), Brooklyn Bowl, (Le) Poisson Rouge and as the rabbi of The New Shul. He offers meaningful ways to worship in the 21st century – creating experiences that speak to people living in today’s world using the language, lessons and music of the past. A Conservative rabbi, Rabbi Dan is a CLAL Resident and was ordained at The Jewish Theological Seminary. You can follow him on twitter @rabbidan.

Mike Greenhaus on Twitter | Mike Greenhaus on Instagram

Mike Greenhaus is a writer, blogger and self-described “live music geek.” He is the editor-in-chief of Relix, the longest-standing print magazine dedicated to improvisational and independent music. Additionally, he edits the daily newswire for Relix.comx and its sister site Jambands.com. Mike is the vice president and co-founder of Relix Media Group, the parent company of Relix magazine, Relix.com, Jambands.com, the Bonnaroo Beacon newspaper, specialty publications for Mumford & Sons’ and Phish’s festivals, the local event database DoNYC and the Here & There music network. A former college radio DJ, Mike co-created Relix’s official podcast “Cold Turkey” in 2005—one of the first magazine podcasts—and is currently working on a new podcast with comedian/musician Danny Tamberelli. Mike has spoken on panels at the South by Southwest and CMJ music conferences, helps oversee Relix’s official video channels, co-curates the collaborative “Brooklyn Is Live” event series and serves on the Young Patrons Board for City Parks Foundation. He has written for Spin, Paste, American Songwriter and a variety of other outlets, and penned the introduction to noted music photographer Jay Blakesberg’s book, Jam. In 2016, he will also begin working on a documentary film about The Beach Boys’ Al Jardine. A native New Yorker and Skidmore College graduate, Mike lives in New York City with his Southern-transplant wife, and has proudly seen a concert in all five boroughs (including Staten Island). You can follow him on Twitter at @greenhauseffect and Instagram at @greenhauseffect3

Jordan McLean on antibalas.com

Jordan McLean is a New York City-based trumpeter, composer, arranger, bandleader, producer and educator. He has been active in the professional music world since 1992, having performed, recorded and collaborated with a multitude of musicians, ensembles and performance organizations around the world, from Ornette Coleman to Public Enemy. Jordan graduated summa cum laude with a degree in composition from SUNY Purchase, is a charter member of Antibalas, served as Associate Music Director on the TONY Award winning musical FELA!, and is co-founder of System Dialing Records.

Amayo’s Fu-Arkist-Ra official site

As the lead singer, percussionist and composer for Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Amayo has ignited festival crowds and packed audiences into a frenzy across the US, Western and Eastern Europe, and Japan. Continuing in the tradition of Fela Kuti, Amayo presents the world with his one-of-a-kind style of music, dance, and martial arts – FU-ARKIST-RA. In addition to composing and arranging all the songs, Amayo sings and plays piano and organ intermixed with charged performances of traditional African lyrics and movement. He is currently the official Accent coach for the Tony Award winning “FELA” Musical. He has opened for James Brown, performed with The Roots, Tony Allen, Femi Kuti, Co Stared in Seun Kuti’s “RISE” music video, guest with Baba Mal, and Michael Franti and Spearhead.
British-born of Nigerian parents, Amayo’s spirit was first ignited at Fela’s club, The Shrine, in Lagos, Nigeria. While growing up in Lagos, his primary passions were dancing and practicing Kung Fu to the rhythms of Funk and Afrobeat. It was then that the seed of Afrobeat was first implanted within him.