Joey creates spaces for slowing down and stepping into presence
through davening (Jewish prayer), song circles, meditation, and mindful time in Nature
ורוח גדולה וחזק . . . לא ברוח ה’ ואחר הרוח רעש לא ברעש ה’ ואחר הרעש אש לא באש ה’ ואחר האש קול דממה דקה
And there was a mighty wind, . . . but Hashem was not in the wind. After the wind — an earthquake, but Hashem was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake — fire, but Hashem was not in the fire. And after the fire — a still small voice.
— Kings I, 19:11-12
Still Small Voice
Album Release and Song Circle Tour coming Elul 5786 / August 2026
I'm excited to share that I’m recording Still Small Voice as my first album of music! This has been a project years in the making.
In 2015, during my senior year of college, I fell in love with Kabbalat Shabbat. The Friday-night melodies became a gateway that opened my perspective from a material realm of perfectionist study habits to a softer realm of music and prayer. In December 2019, I attended my first-ever Jewish singing conference at Hadar where I learned about "catching a melody" — the idea that a River of Song flows through our World, and that song-writing isn’t reserved for a select few, but available to anyone who opens their hearts to listen.
Shortly after that, in early 2020, while out for a cold Chicago walk in the Montrose Bird Sanctuary along the shores of Lake Michigan, I realized I had a song playing in my head. The Waters had inspired me to write my first-ever melody. I pulled out my phone and recorded a voice memo. Thus was born Montrose Nigun.
Over the past six years, inspired by a farm fellowship at Adamah (a Jewish farm), summers at BCI (a Jewish arts program), time spent with Nature, and moments of prayer, I am grateful to have written the songs which I am now excited to record and share on this album. Many of these songs are based in Hebrew liturgy and set for davening. Others are original English lyrics and set to be shared in song circles.
I believe that when we slow down and step into presence — through practices like prayer, song and silence — the still small voice gets just a touch more audible. That has been my experience during these past years, starting in 2015, when the melodies of Kabbalat Shabbat changed the course of my life.
Donations to support the project are much appreciated. Sign up below to stay tuned for a song-circle release tour!