Programs
ShirLaLa Programming promotes positive identity building for all ages through self-expression, cultural literacy and spiritual growth. Our whole-family approach to Jewish celebration and education delivers the highest quality educational materials to children, parents, community leaders and institutions. Laying the groundwork for family and community celebration and learning, we using Jewish stories, prayers and values to grow happy, conscious, and inspired children. Don’t forget to check out “Blog Sameach” for activities, special interest articles and printable materials designed for at home and in the classroom.
ShirLaLa Community Concerts
Bring Parent’s Choice Award winning Jewish kiddie-rock sensation ShirLaLa to your community for an interactive and engaging family concert. For every season and celebration Shira blends words, story and song to create a rich experience for children and adults alike. Featuring the child friendly and talented musicians, professional circus drummer Lee “Free” Frisari and glitter-pink-guitar rocker Viva DeConcini, ShirLaLa’s contagious energy is guaranteed to have the whole family up on their feet! After the show, stick around for the High Fivin’ Hug Fest. Meet the band and check out the instruments. Shira signs CDs so that you can continue the celebration at home.
“Audiences are swept up by her love for the music. This is Jewish music and identity building at its very best.”
Concerts generally run around 55 minutes long. Target age range is Nursery School, Kindergarten through Third grade, or Second through Sixth grade. In addition to the themed concerts below, ShirLaLa gladly tailors a concert to fit your vision and your community. Also available: Drum and percussion workshops for your older students!
“Shira is a Holy Rock Star, and not just for kids. Shira’s energy and musical genius wake up every soul in every room she enters.” -Amichai Lau Lavie
Special theme concerts include:
- Fall Holidays and Opening of the School Year
- Havdallah Pajama
- Shabbat
- Chanukah
- Tu B’Shvat and Earth Worm Disco
- Earth Day
- Passover
- Purim
- Shavuot
- Multi-Generational Celebrations
- Honoring Your Teachers
YES! Please send me a full list of ShirLaLa Concert Descriptions.
Tot Shabbat 
Shabbat services in the child’s language educate and inspire a deeper understanding of our weekly rest and refresh. Shira brings together children, parents, clergy and educators for this very special service. She engages the whole family using prayer, storytelling, song, movement, conversation, and creative play. Her interpretations of traditional Shabbat prayers create a warm, joyful experience infused with Jewish life lessons and values. Friday night services open with a celebration welcoming the Shabbat Queen and her entourage of angels. Saturday morning always includes a dance party honoring the original dance party led by Miriam on the shores of the Sea of Reeds. *Shabbat services can be done with or without instruments. Geared towards children ages 2-7 and their parents. (1 hour) Optional: Creative and original hands-on art projects for parents and children to do together.
“ShirLaLa was a real happening! She had the ability to engage everyone… the two year-olds and the seventy year-olds. She was charming and delightful, and at the same time spiritual and prayerful with her songs, stories and insights into the prayers. I cannot recommend ShirLaLa highly enough for your Shabbat worship experience!” -Rabbi Andy Klein, Temple Habonim Rhode Island
Congregational Shabbat Services and Family Services
Shira brings her unique and soulful sound to every Shabbat worship. She creates services which inspire both personal reflection and communal bonding. Collaborating with your clergy, she builds a music filled service, including traditional and contemporary melodies while remaining sensitive to the customs and values of the congregation.
“With your angelic voice, spirit, and commitment…The service surpassed our greatest dreams and expectations.” -Patty Goldstick, Congregational Executive Director
*Shira is also available to lead the music for lifecycle events and rituals such as Baby Namings, Bat/Bar Mitzvah, and Weddings.
Adult Programs
In addition to Congregational Worship for Shabbat, Shira offers programming for adult audiences.
- Concerts are a rich musical journey through contemporary and traditional, local and world Jewish music. She weaves together story and song to create an experience that touches both heart and soul.
- Music Meditation offers participants the opportunity to make music as a spiritual practice. Using mystical and liturgical sources as a starting point, this session explores meaning and inspiration through the medium of the musical soul.
- Creative Havdallah filled with music and ritual to awaken the senses for a meaningful transition into the work week.
Professional Development With over 18 years of experience as a formal and informal Jewish education specialist, Shira offers a number of professional development workshops, master classes and seminars for your teachers, clergy and lay leaders. Shira’s innovative approach was recognized by The Jewish Week when they honored her as one of their “36 Under 36: The New Re-Engineers” of Jewish life. She is on the faculty of the prestigious Hava Nashira, URJ Jewish Music Institute, specializing in Religious School and Early Childhood Teacher Training. She has also been a guest teacher for cantoral and rabbinic students of HUC-JIR, been a featured performer and speaker with Synagogue 3000 and as a founding company member of Storahtelling, Shira leads training workshops for new students learning the methodology. 
Workshop topics include:
- Repertoire Building in the Jewish Early Childhood Classroom
- Is G-d a Girl or a Boy? “Out of the mouths of babes…”
- Tot Shabbat Toolbox
- Religious School Music for grades K-7: Focus on Holiday, Prayer and Cultural Repertoire.
- Worship in the Religious School for grades K-7
- Torah Study
“I feel empowered by her workshops. Just watching the way she works the group, I learned techniques to take with me.” -Workshop Participant
“Awesome. Shira is a master teacher.” -Workshop participant
Yes! Please send me more information about professional development workshops with Shira.
Private Teaching
Shira teaches small groups of all ages addressing issues of spirituality, ethics, and the core of Jewish living.
- Prayerbook and conversational Hebrew
- Torah study
- Prayers and prayer comprehension
- Rituals and customs
- Cultural celebrations including art and food
- And of course, music!!
Check out Shira’s Blog for stories, recipes and activities to share with your family!
