Noam Katz is one of the newest and most exciting voices in Jewish music today. His soulful melodies, high-flying energy, and sense of humor have delighted audiences throughout North America, Israel and Uganda. A native of Rochester, NY, Noam spent most of his childhood summers at URJ Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA. There he immersed himself in a world of Jewish music, learning, and social activism. After spending years as a head songleader at the URJ Kutz and Eisner Camps, Noam was inspired to go on the road during the summer of 2003, bringing his enthusiasm, humor and innovative programs to hundreds of campers and staff at Union for Reform Judaism summer camps. He performed at the 2003 NFTY Convention in Washington, D.C., as well as for over 5000 Reform Jewish leaders at their 2004 Biennial Convention in Minneapolis, MN. Today, Noam continues to share his music and love for Jewish learning with teens, adults and children, touring at camps and congregations of every denomination. In 2001, Noam released his debut album, RAKIA, a collection of 12 original songs in Hebrew and English. It includes Noam's new melodies for "Modim", "Layehudim" and "Nachshon", ideal for Shabbat, Havdalah and spirited song sessions. One of the songs, "Halleli", was selected to be on the 2003 "Ruach 5763" album, a compilation of new Jewish tunes put out by the URJ Press/Transcontinental Music. (For more on Noam's music and creative influences, please check out the "Musical" section of his Biography.) Noam has also served as the cantorial soloist for Temple Isaiah in Lexington, MA. At present, Noam is in his first year of the rabbinic program at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. In the winter of 2003-04, Noam had the extraordinary opportunity to spend three months volunteering with the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda. In addition to teaching Hebrew, English, and Judaics in their schools, Noam organized a youth group, assisted with communal development, and coordinated a cultural show of traditional Abayudaya dance and music. This immersion into a community rich with tradition and an authentic African Jewish identity has greatly influenced Noam's songwriting and has furthered his commitment to teaching social justice and tolerance through his music. (For more on Noam's experiences in Africa, please check out the "Uganda" section of his Biography.) Noam is now back in the studio with his producer, Josh Nelson of Yom Hadash, working on a new album of African Jewish music slated for a summer 2005 release. Included in this album is his Abayudaya-inspired version of "Am Yisrael Chai." This soul-stirring melody has quickly spread to camps and congregations throughout the country and is currently featured on the "Ruach 5765: Israel" album. In addition to his solo work, Noam has recorded and performed with Peri Smilow and the Freedom Music Project, a gospel choir of young Jewish and African-American singers from the Boston area. This exciting cross-cultural experience led to performances at CAJE 25 and the 2001 URJ Biennial Convention in Boston, MA. In any setting, Noam remains committed to creating strong Jewish and interfaith communities through the unifying power of music. |
