I have been featured in The Golden Mixtape. Kendra: In recent years Matisyahu really shined the light on the whole Jewish crossover, and you’ve gotten to share the bill with him before. How do you compare and differentiate with him? Mikey: We both are making “Jewish Crossover Music,” we both have red facial hair, we are both tall, and both studied at Yehshiva. When Matisyahu shaved off his payot and beard the whole media and many of the Jewish community had a major freak out. I sure didn’t. I was cheering him on. I have always understood that a Jew doesn’t have to look a specific way to be more “spiritual or religious” than another Jew. I grew up reform and pretty secular. So in the summer of 2011 as I was working as a “songleader” at a camp in Los Angeles my good friend, Rabbi Sara Brandes who I was studying devotional heart centered Jewish teachings with, recommended I go study at a Chassidic yeshiva in Jerusalem inspired my Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Coming from the secular world, I knew if I really wanted to expand my views and build love for my ultra orthodox brothers and sisters I would have to live with them and keep my heart and mind open to receive the teachings in an experiential way. So I immersed myself in daily spiritual renewal through ritual, torah study, law, rabbinical commentary, and even Jewish meditation classes. I think the big issue why the Jewish people are so split and point so many fingers at each other is because everyone thinks they are living the “right” way, and people are not adventurous enough to leave everything behind and live with the communities they have always pointed their fingers at. I was able to experience the power in owning a life style centered in torah. Two years after leaving Yeshivah I have now chosen what kind of life I want to live, and know that I was given the gift to create transformation and connection with the divine through Jewish instrumental music on Shabbat. I know Matisyahu doesn’t perform or play instruments on Shabbat. And this is how we majorly differ. Look, one day I may stop but for now my calling is to elevate as many souls with the gifts I have been given. I think of myself as a performer, artist, educator and spiritual practitioner. I work closely with the youth all over the world facilitating Jewish ritual and prayer, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in spiritual renewal. Read more on my newly updated website. I have updated my tour, and press pages. Much coming up!!! Good Shabbos. mikeypauker/
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:26:40 +0000
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