Cuddle Up Shabbat (Tot Shabbat) in Brookline, MA

Ellen AllardEllen Allard, Jewish Early Childhood, Music for Early Childhood, Tot Shabbat

I’ve been privileged to lead hundreds of Tot Shabbat services over the last 21 years. But tomorrow evening, Nov. 4, 2016, I will be leading my first Cuddle Up Shabbat at Kehillath Israel in Brookline, MA. After the crazy traveling I’ve been doing over this last year, I’m so thrilled to be sharing Shabbat and my music at a synagogue …

Artist-In-Residence at Mt. Zion Temple, St. Paul, MN Nov 2015

Ellen AllardUncategorized

This past weekend, after an enriching, inspiring few days at the URL Biennial in Orlando, FL where I performed a concert and led a Shachrit Morning Yoga Family Service, I flew to St. Paul, MN to be an Artist-In-Residence at Mount Zion Temple. The weekend was incredible. I was treated with kid gloves – the hospitality I was shown was par none. …

My Journey To Find God

Ellen AllardUncategorized

I have written quite a few songs about God. As a Jewish Early Childhood educator, touring music specialist and composer, I sing these songs at synagogues across the country. Some of these songs were written during the years between 1995 – 2005, when I led Tot Shabbat worship services for young children and families at what was then Temple Sinai (now called Temple Emanuel Sinai) in Worcester. …

Belly Breaths of Gratitude

Ellen AllardUncategorized

My cup is overflowing. I have had an astonishing run of performances and workshops over the last few weeks. The inside of my suitcase has barely seen the light of day. And while I’m sleep deprived and often have to stop and remember which airport I’m walking through, I have nothing but gratitude and a heart so full of music …

Kickstarter: I’ll Write A Song For You (yes, it’s true)

Ellen AllardUncategorized

When the idea for launching my own Kickstarter campaign was suggested to me, I politely declined. It was for other people, not me. I think, truth be told, I was afraid nobody would want to become part of the project. Was I wrong or what? In ten days, the project has generated 82 backers contributing just shy of $3000. I’m …

Are You Ready To Learn To Play Guitar?

Ellen AllardUncategorized

Sometimes, it’s the littlest things that can make all the difference. Yesterday, I presented a keynote address and breakout workshop for the Detroit Alliance for Jewish Education. At the conclusion of the keynote, a woman exuberantly approached me and shared that she’d always wanted to learn to play guitar and something I said just made it click for her. She planned …

Bring The Sabbath Home

Are You Listening, God?

Ellen AllardUncategorized

Whenever I struggle with a concept, I pick up my guitar or sit down at the piano and write a song. It is one of the best ways for me to process anything that challenges me. As an Early Childhood Music Educator and performer, writing a song also helps me figure out how I can best teach those challenging concepts …