Shabbat Unplugged...

...a musical troupe formed in 1995 in Philadelphia by six rabbis and
Jewish educators. For over seven years, their original music has
shaped and influenced musical Shabbat services
throughout the United States.

Meet Shabbat Unplugged:

Rabbi Rayzel Raphael is Rabbinic Director of the Interfaith FamilySupport Network of Jewish Family and Children's Service. She also consults with The Jewish Creativity Project of New Legends, focusing on outreach through spirituality and the arts. A Wexner Graduate Fellow and participant in the Melton Senior Educator Program at Hebrew University, Rayzel composes original Jewish music, performs weddings and teaches on a variety of topics including: Angels, new Jewish ritual, Kabbalah. Rayzel sings with Shabbat unplugged and MIRAJ has released her debut album, Bible Babes A-Beltin'.

Rabbi Myriam Klotz is on the faculty of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and a mentor with the Morei Derekh program in Jewish Spiritual Direction. She co-directs the Yoga and Jewish Spirituality Training Institute at Elat Chayyim Jewish Spiritual Retreat Center. She is a spiritual director at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and a founding member of Shabbat Unplugged.

Juliet I. Spitzer, M.Ed. is a singer/songwriter and recording artist, and the guest cantor at Congregation Beth Israel in Media. She composes for, and performs with Theatre Ariel, Pennsylvania's professional Jewish theater company. She is a member of the a cappella trio MIRAJ, the vocal ensemble SheWho, and the musical troupes Shabbat Unplugged/ Havdallah Live and Tof b’Yadah. Juliet leads music and healing workshops in the Philadelphia area and teaches on various topics in Judaism in the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School.

Rabbi Margot L. Stein is an award-winning singer/songwriter and has produced or co-produced 5 albums of original Jewish music. Her musical play, "Guarding the Garden," toured North America for four seasons, was seen by some 20,000 people, and was featured on the cover of Lilith magazine. Formerly the Director of Communications for the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Margot composes and sings with the a cappella trio MIRAJ and the troupe Shabbat Unplugged. She teaches Jewish Ethics at Gratz College's Melton Adult Mini-School, and utilizes the performing arts to teach teens Torah.

Rabbi Shawn Israel Zevit has over 25 years experience in spiritual leadership, human relations training, interactive arts and teaching. He has consulted to institutions and faith communities across North America, as well as teaching interpersonal and organizational issues at Temple University. Shawn is a facilitator and writer on Jewish Men's issues, spirituality and work issues, Jewish values-based approaches to Leadership, Money and Organizational life, and building sacred community. He also tours, performing original music from his CD's, "Heart and Soul" and "Sanctuary", helped found Playback Philadelphia Theater, teaches Bibliodrama, and is a Co-Director of the Davenning Leaders Training Institute. Shawn is a Senior Consultant and the director of Outreach and External Affiliations for the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, and an instructor at Gratz College's Melton Adult Mini-School.

Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein is currently the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Ahavas Achim in Keene, New Hampshire. Micah also served as musical director for a Jewish Healing service, Miriam's Well, for several years. Assistant editor and contributing commentator for the High Holy Day Prayerbook published by the Reconstructionist Press, Micah's musical and liturgical leadership have inspired hundreds of Jews to enter the world of Jewish prayer and song throughout North America, Europe, Israel, and even Africa. Micah's music and songwriting embraces the Jewish Reconstructionist spirit by bringing new melodies and contemporary meaning to ancient sentiments and Jewish life. He has composed and recorded original liturgical compositions, some of which can be found on "A Night of Questions," a companion recording for the new Reconstructionist Haggadah of the same title. Micah is currently completing his first solo recording due out in spring 2002 titled "Walking Humbly."

For more information, email

or call 215-782-1221