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He writes the songs that make our souls sing
By Gavriel Aryeh Sanders
For more than five decades, and with little fanfare, Ben Zion Shenker has been composing music to biblical verses and Jewish liturgy. His work is so universally embraced — literally — most aren’t even aware it is his. In linear notes, it is often described as “traditional” or “author unknown.”
One of Rabbi Shenker’s most popular and stirring compositions is “Jerusalem, Your City”, “Yerushalyim Ircha. In recognition of the Holy City’s tenuous status, we sat down with the living legend to discuss the back story of how the song came about and to reflect on a career that we hope will continue for many more years to come.
Highlights:
Opening: Ben Zion Shenker tells his story
11:00: Back story of “Jerusalem, Your City”, including translation of Hebrew text
15:00: The uplifting, soulful song itself