Temple Sha'arey Shalom of Springfield invites the community to a special Shabbat live musical service featuring Jewish rock musician Rick Recht, on Friday, June 13, at 8:00 pm. Rick will be joined by the Temple's adult and youth choirs. This special event is sponsored by the Schkolnick family of Mountainside in honor of their son Jake's bar mitzvah. The service is free and open to the public.

Rick Recht is the top touring musician in Jewish music, playing over 150 concerts a year in the United States and abroad. Recht is widely recognized for his appeal to youth and family audiences not only as an exceptional musician, singer/songwriter, and entertainer, but also as a role model for involvement in Jewish life. He has become an icon for Jewish youth in the United States, elevating the medium of Jewish music as a powerful and effective tool for developing Jewish pride and identity among the masses.

Recht is known for regularly featuring local musicians, choirs, and vocal soloists, on stage with the band, during his concerts and religious services. Recht has launched unprecedented tours, playing at Jewish day and overnight camps from coast to coast, garnering a feverish following among the national Jewish youth movements unseen in previous years. “The stage is definitely our home,” says Recht. “The energy and voices of the audiences, whether they’re little kids, teens or adults, are indescribable. That’s the magic of Jewish music the interaction, the singing, the dancing, and the powerful community connection. For me, it’s a dream come true to create and share in these powerful experiences.”

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Recht developed a strong Jewish identity attending Traditional Congregation, a conservative synagogue. In high school, Recht joined NFTY, where he was deeply influenced by Jewish music. After graduating college, Recht hit the road touring nationwide from LA to New York playing at clubs, colleges, and amphitheaters. Recht returned to his Jewish roots with his debut Jewish album, Tov, in the summer of 1999. His shift to Jewish music marks the birth of a unique blend of pop, radio-friendly music with Hebrew, Jewish text, and social responsibility.