Music

JKids Radio, the newly launched Home of Jewish Kids Music, is bringing kid-centric Jewish music, education, and inspiration to families, schools and communities everywhere. Formerly PJ Library Radio, JKids Radio streams contemporary Jewish music 24/7 via JKidsRadio.com and the JKids Radio mobile app, in addition to a full range of exciting new educational content for children and families.

An international, online radio station, JKids Radio can be accessed at home, in the car, and at school.  Jewish organizations can also embed a JKids Radio player on their organization website so visitors can listen to JKids Radio while browsing.  Parents and teachers utilize the SleepyTime mode switch to play soothing, mellow music at naptime or bedtime and every week, JKids Radio helps to bring in Shabbat with the JKids Radio Shabbat Block beginning Fridays at 1PM Eastern/Noon Central.

In addition to the JKids Radio website and app, JKids Radio Facebook and Instagram will regularly serve up amazing music videos. All JKids Radio Facebook posts are accompanied by educational suggestions for related Jewish engagement activities that families and teachers can use to enrich their Jewish lives.

This fall, PJ Library transitioned PJ Library Radio to the nonprofit Judaism Alive, which also houses Jewish Rock Radio and is directed by renowned Jewish music pioneer Rick Recht. PJ Library serves as a major sponsor of JKids Radio.

Do you remember “Disney on Ice,” or another show where the actors had to communicate to thousands of audience members using just body language?  Huge and Over exaggerated gestures are how they did it. 

Today, if we are in a classroom with children, our face most likely is hidden behind a mask, and if we are virtual, we are 2-Dimensional, behind a screen. How can we increase the RUACH (spirit) in these limited environments?   

When a child is physically engaged in their musical experience, they will have a stronger anchor in creating a permanent memory, even on a subconscious level. When using music

• Engage in songs that the kiddos can offer their ideas, movements, instruments playing styles, etc.
• Include instruments such as egg shakers, rhythm sticks, djembes, etc.
• Use props like scarves, parachutes, ribbons, and stuffed animals
• Utilize large movement songs that involve the entire body
• Have students offer their ideas for movement, animals, foods, sounds, etc.

For teachers in a virtual classroom setting

• Create homemade instruments during class and then use them in future music classes or have parents purchase instruments.
• Provide parents a list of props and inexpensive instruments to purchase for home and school use.  

To help, Rhythm ‘n’ Ruach, an interactive experience through music, movement, and the #joyfulJudaism, has a list of finger play Song Ideas.docx for you to use in your classroom.    

Shelley Dean
Owner and Founder
Rhythm ‘n’ Ruach