Join the JAM: Jewish Arts and Music

Located in the heart of the Lincoln Center area, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue has a rich and historically significant tradition of music and the arts. The congregation is known for having an innovative and engaging approach to worship while offering an expansive array of music programs that explore all genres of sacred and secular Jewish music, both historical and contemporary in nature.

The study of Torah, prayer, and acts of loving kindness are at the core of congregational involvement at SWFS. Music programming reflects these values in meaningful ways. Here are some brief descriptions of some of the burgeoning music programs and resources that you may enjoy at SWFS:

Online Music Learning: Whether you are learning music in the nursery school, religious school, Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, high school, or our many adult education programs at SWFS, or if you are just surfing the web looking for a simple interactive resource for learning Jewish music, prayers, and blessings, MUSIC @ SWFS will soon be your one-stop shop.

Prayer Leaders and Chanters: Stephen Wise Free Synagogue takes pride not only in its remarkable professional music team, but an astoundingly talented array of congregational singers and musicians that sometimes participate in prayer and chanting at services.  If you wish to learn how to be more skilled at prayer or chanting, or even just to not feel lost at services, please send an email to  or visit either link above to learn more.

Musical Mitzvah: Join us in making music not only for the fun of it, but to spread cheer and goodwill to Jewish homes and hospitals on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Make your music into a mitzvah by visiting the elderly or the sick and sharing your talent and enthusiasm. Visit the Musical Mitzvah page to learn more.

Performance Series: Come to listen and learn about Cantorial Classics, Yiddish Theater, Folk, and Art Song, Klezmer, Ragtime, Spirituals, Cabaret, Chamber Music, Jazz, Opera, Israeli and Jewish Rock, and much more. The programming is balanced to reach out to the broadest possible audience of both religious and secular backgrounds. Come to hear renowned guest performers and lecturers as they explore Jewish music and musical Jews.

Purim Shpiel: Already in its 24th year of production, this incredible show has drawn standing-room only crowds to our 1000 seat sanctuary! SWFS congregant, Norman Roth, a clever and talented playwright and stage director, has created an entertaining new show every year starring congregants, clergy, and members of the greater community. Come early for the "Gantze Megillah" Reading (participate in any language!) and get the best seats for a new version of the Purim Shpiel set as a Musical Megillah with popular music and contemporary humor. His shpiels are loved and performed throughout the world, but the only place to see and get involved in the premiere production is by being at SWFS!

Music Rentals: Stephen Wise Free Synagogue became an official music venue for Bosendorfer in 2007 when it acquired a unique piano known as the Bosendorfer Imperial concert grand, one of the world's largest, rarest, and finest handmade pianos at over 9.5 feet in length.  Since then, SWFS has hosted an increasing number of private and public music performances, recordings, and rehearsals. If you or your organization are looking for a place to perform, record, or rehearse, please visit the Music Rental page to learn more.