Todd Herzog grew up in a secular, casually Jewish family in Rockland City and Spring Valley, NY. That is, until his mother went to Israel when he was about 7. She came back
inspired and shortly thereafter started Todd in religious school and eventually bar mitzvah training. Todd always felt like he was playing “catch-up” with the other kids, who seemed to know so much more than he did. He worked hard to become a bar mitzvah, but after the ceremony he returned to his casual observance.
In high school he was much more interested in music than anything else. He played violin in a community orchestra and was a vocalist in a rock band. He pictured himself as a future rock star. When he got to Tufts University outside of Boston, he was enthralled with the Beelzebubs, the university’s well-respected a cappella group – he was hooked. As a member of the “Bubs” he traveled around, made recordings and bonded with the guys. He had found his calling.
Tufts is known for its high academic standards and tough requirements. While some might have been satisfied with a degree from Tufts and singing with the Bubs on the side, it wasn’t enough for Todd. He attended both Tufts, as a philosophy major, and through a combined program, the New England Conservatory of Music in jazz/voice. The Conservatory is the oldest independent school of music in the country and regularly turns out top jazz composers and musicians. Todd says he was nervous at the Conservatory audition. He really didn’t know much about the genre of jazz. He sang rather tepid versions of “Honey Pie” and “Summertime,” neither of which were exactly groundbreaking renditions. “I had to convince them to let me in. They could see I had the general music background necessary, and I promised I would work hard to learn the jazz repertoire if they would give me a chance.” Summoning his tenacious will, love of music and determination to succeed, he dug in and learned all the requirements to become an integral presence in the jazz program. At the conclusion of the five-year program, he
received a double degree in philosophy and jazz/ voice. Then he was off to California to become a rock star.
Todd met with some success during his years on the West Coast in both songwriting and recording. His music and voice have been featured on TV shows such as “The Young and the Restless,” “All My Children,” “One Life to Live,” “Melrose Place” and “The Osbournes.” But he didn’t exactly achieve household name recognition. He did, however, meet unequivocal success in another area.
He decided to try J-Date, the Jewish matchmaking site (think E-Yenta). By this time he was feeling only tangentially Jewish, but his roots were deep. He felt he’d have customs and values in common with a Jewish woman – and yes, he knew it would make his parents happy. In 2000 he matched up with Karen Sonnabend, who was working as a fitness instructor at the Scottsdale JCC. Within three months, she had moved to LA to be with Todd.
Todd’s life began moving in a new direction. Karen was working in the Jewish community and had connections through which Todd got a job teaching music at the New Community Jewish High School.
“I thought I’d be teaching liturgy and klezmer music, but found the kids would really rather listen to pop and rock. We worked together to create new sounds, rhythms and words that would help these young people be able to relate to their Jewishness through the music.”
Todd found himself feeling both creatively satisfied and enriched with the novel process. He decided to “give himself the kinds of assignments he was giving his students.” He began to create Jewish music that is relevant to young and youngish people today.
Karen and Todd were married in 2004 in Sedona by Rabbi Albert Plotkin, z’l with just 18 people in attendance. The small gathering in the beauty and solemnity of the red rock country fit in with their spiritual natures. They returned to Arizona with the understanding that Karen would become Todd’s manager, and he would continue with his music. But there was a slight shift from
the past.
Todd realized that he never felt as rewarded and peaceful as when he played in spiritual venues. Similarly, those were the places he was always best received. He’d sell more CDs, feel more in touch, have warmer responses and even receive fees! It made sense to move in that direction.
At this point in his life, he had a different perspective. Jewish wisdom and text spoke to him more directly. He employed his philosophy background to help him with his writing. He found it assisted him in thinking things through, putting the music and words together, phrasing logical arguments and understanding religious texts. Coupling his ideas with his talents, he began creating new Jewish music.
Todd had already released a CD of secular songs entitled “What I Wouldn’t Give.” Those songs, which he wrote after a college girlfriend had passed away, deal with “grief, healing and transcendence.” Now he was ready to delve into a more spiritual, religious side. He has released more CDs since his debut album. “Proverbs” puts a modern, acoustic spin on various quotes from the Bible and other texts; “Bridging the Gap” expands upon his musical concept of “bridging the gap between religion and spirituality,” and offers songs of acoustical, spiritual pop music as well as new takes on ancient liturgy; “Everyday Blessings” is his first children’s CD, with each song representing a different Jewish value; and his most recent CD is “A Shelter of Peace,” based on the Friday night Shabbat liturgy (toddherzog.com).
Todd’s religious participation continued to grow after his days in LA. He worked more and more with text and liturgy and found himself first a guest musician at various synagogues in the Valley, then a cantorial soloist at Congregation Beth Israel and for the past six years the cantorial soloist at Temple Solel in Scottsdale. There he has set up regular family Shabbat programs incorporating his music. He also has been a featured performer at national gatherings of the Union for Reform Judaism, Center for Advancement of Jewish Education and Hava Nashira, Jewish songleader and music workshop.
He recently was a featured guest at the annual PJ Library gathering, even more meaningful to him these days since his son, Sander, is 2 years old. His largest local project is coming up on Nov. 17. With the help of funding from the “Start Me Up!” project of Valley Beit Midrash, Todd is undertaking the first-ever Jewish Music festival in the Valley. “Desert Gathering: Jewish Music Fest” will be held from 4 to 9 pm at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix and will feature guest artists with a wide range of musical styles.
The band Moshav comprises young men raised in Israel on Moshav Mevo Modiin, a musical village in the hills between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Now based in Los Angeles, they tour around the country, combining Jewish music with elements of folk, funk and reggae in their songs.
Saul Kaye is a soulful blues guitarist. He intertwines Jewish history, characters and liturgy with the blues. Elana Jagoda is a prayer leader, music educator, performer and composer. Her energetic folk-rock vibe brings an innovative twist to Jewish music.
The local rock band Twice Baked and Todd himself will also perform.
Todd envisions a gathering for all Jews to come, join together and listen to music with other Jews. He felt it was important to choose a “neutral” location, hence the city-owned Steele Indian School Park at Central Avenue and Indian School Road in midtown Phoenix. “Holding the fest in a nondenominational setting allows everyone to attend and appreciate the music in his/her own way,” Todd explains. “Music touches everyone in different ways, yet at the same time creates a unified community,” he continues. He’s hoping the fest will appeal to a younger audience than might be seen at a more common klezmer or perhaps Broadway-composers type of concert.
The “Start Me Up!” project of Valley Beit Midrash was established to give seed money to new and exciting projects intended to create relevant Jewish programming. While it’s arguable that “relevance” is subjective, VBM felt strongly that a program highlighting modern Jewish music would appeal to Jewish community members in their 20s, 30s and 40s – ages that are often overlooked in contemporary Jewish programming. Traditional programming is strong for preschool through bar mitzvah age and again at the senior end. Those in the middle sometimes get a bit lost. When Todd presented his proposal to VBM, they were eager to help.
“Valley Beit Midrash gave us $10,000,” Todd says. “I didn’t realize at the time how the costs would so quickly add up, though.” He has to provide transportation and lodging for the guest artists and is arranging extensive staging, lighting and sound systems for the outdoor venue. He’s been busy with the business aspect of the event, creating partnerships and alliances with others who believe in the project and can offer services. There will also be vendors at the event, with arts and crafts to create and to purchase, and a variety of kosher foods. The Musical Instrument Museumwill bring in an interactive program, and the PJ Library will offer activities for young children.
Admission to the Jewish Music Fest is free. “We felt it was really important that no one be excluded from this event,” Todd says. However, VIP tickets are for $90; these include special options to meet the musical guests. These are available at desertgatheringaz.brownpapertickets.com.
Donations to the festival itself are also being accepted at desertgatheringaz.com. Todd has already decided this is the first annual fest, indicating there will be more to come. He views the event as an opportunity to bring together Jews of all backgrounds and all ages from the far reaches of the Valley in the spirit of community through the universality of music. “Music is the gateway into our tradition. Even if you don’t understand the words, there is something innately moving about it. Sharing that experience with others brings the community together.”
