The Ruach Gets Its Groove On

Charlotte Jewish News November 2021

By Peter Levinson

January 17, 2020, was an evening to remember. The Ruach Community gathered at Middle C Jazz Club for an evening of ruach and rock. The Ruach kicked the evening off with The Shabbat Experience, and then Coconut Groove Band, one of the area’s top cover bands, took the stage to play a set of classic rock. The room was filled with good vibes. You know how people always say, “Good Shabbos?” This was a great Shabbos!

The Ruach and Coconut Groove Band have a natural connection. Eric Marder, bass player and a vocalist with CGB, plays rhythm guitar and sings with The Ruach. Tommy Willhelm is the drummer for both bands.

Friday, November 12, 2021, will be a reprise of that magical evening 22 months ago, this time at Heist Barrel Arts at 1030 Woodward Avenue. The Shabbat Experience will get underway at 6:45 p.m. followed by Coconut Groove Band at 8:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but you’ll want to get there early to make sure you get a seat. Food will be available for purchase, as will adult beverages and soft drinks.

The Shabbat Experience is an inspiring, joyful, and relatable celebration of Shabbat, a modern Friday night service built on Jewish tradition. It follows the order of a traditional Shabbat service. All the elements are there: candle lighting, Shema, Mourners’ Kaddish, plus lots of meaningful and uplifting new Jewish music written by The Ruach and by many other well-known Jewish artists.

The Ruach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to spread the joy of Judaism through modern worship experiences that are filled with new uplifting, spiritual, and joyous meaningful music. Experiences are supported solely through voluntary contributions together with a small grant from The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte.

Follow The Ruach on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ theruachband), Instagram (@ the.ruach.new.jewish.music), and Twitter (@TheRuachSpirit). Subscribe to The Ruach’s You- Tube channel (www.youtube. com/theruachband). For more information, email The Ruach: the.ruach.band@gmail.com.