In this episode, Yosef Goldman talks with Sarah Bunin Benor about the rich influence of Arabic music on his Sephardic Jewish heritage, showing how these sounds bridge cultures and generations from Yemen to New York. Yosef discusses the challenge of blending Sephardic and Mizrahi prayer styles into Ashkenazi services, highlighting the importance of educating communities about this rich diversity.
Yosef Goldman is a prayer leader, rabbi, synagogue consultant, and musician who helps communities to cultivate vibrant prayer life. His work draws from his rabbinic experience in chaplaincy, education, and congregational leadership. As a composer and performer, Yosef blends the devotional music of his Mizrahi and Ashkenazi ancestors with contemporary Jewish sacred music to create connection and inspire social change. He has released two acclaimed albums of original music and leads Kedmah, a Mizrahi sacred music ensemble whose debut album “Simu Lev” was released last year. Yosef lives in Brooklyn with his wife Rabbi Annie Lewis and their two children.
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