2017 | Onward Israel

Good Jews: Shalom Aleichem

In this beautifully produced music video, Good Jews perform a slow, emotive version of one of the most famous melodies of Shalom Aleichem, composed by Rabbi Cantor Israel Goldfarb in 1918. Good Jews, made up

Shalom Aleichem as Debbie Friedman’s Legacy

This article by Debra Nussbaum Cohen relays how Jewish American singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman‘s haunting melody for Shalom Aleichem became a staple in many North American Jewish homes since her death in 2011. As

Ribbon Kol Haolamim: A Prayer Based on Shalom Aleichem

This post includes the Hebrew and English translation for “Ribbon Kol Haolamim,” a prayer that is recited or sung after “Shalom Aleichem” in many communities, as well as an audio recording reflecting the

A Response to Eishet Chayil: An Egalitarian Poem from Wife to Husband

This poem, meant to be recited by a wife to her husband, was written by Ruth F. Brin as a response to the traditional Eishet Chayil. Whereas the text from Proverbs 31 praises

Traditional Ashkenazi Shalom Aleichem (Audio & Text)

This post includes the Hebrew, English, and transliterated lyrics to Shalom Aleichem, traditionally sung before Kiddush at the beginning of the Friday night meal on Shabbat. From Aish.com, the text and audio reflect

Exploring the Controversial Aspects of Shalom Aleichem: Idolatry & Domestic Relations

In this provocative article, Atar Hadari explores some of the more controversial aspects of the song “Shalom Aleichem,” explaining why several leading rabbinic figures have taken issue with it. Hadari suggests that the

Shalom Aleichem with Alternating Masculine and Feminine God-Language

This post presents an alternative version of Shalom Aleichem, where half of the stanzas are written with the traditional masculine God-language, while the other half use feminine God-language, reflecting a blend of Jewish tradition with modern

Shalom Aleichem Ceremony for Going on Hospice

In this detailed, step-by-step guide, Lisa Sacks outlines a way to transform the difficult experience of going on hospice into a meaningful transition for both the patient and his/her loved ones, by changing

“Malachim” Jewish Angel Cards

This post introduces “MALACHIM Jewish Angel Cards,” each with an image and blessing, created by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner to be used during the ritual singing of “Shalom Aleichem” to welcome the ministering angels into the

A Shalom Aleichem Poem

This original poem by Gila Gevirtz is inspired by the tradition of singing Shalom Aleichem to the ministering angels that come to bless Jewish homes on Friday evening. Gevirtz, a published author of Jewish-themed