Larry Milder is a flatpicking, singing rabbi with a knack for off-beat Jewish tunes. His combination of wry wit and exceptional guitar playing have earned him a national following among fans of new Jewish music. His popular songs “Wherever You Go (There’s Always Someone Jewish)” and “Stars in the Sky” are sung in youth groups and summer camps throughout the country.
Larry’s songs are featured in The Complete Shireinu and other publications from URJ Books & Music. In addition to his own albums, his recordings have appeared on albums from Craig Taubman, NFTY, URJ Biennial anthologies, PJ Library, CAJE, and the American Jewish Song Festival.
Larry’s CD’s, American Psalm and Bible & Beyond, include his mash-up of “Bim Bam” & Led Zepellin; his driving acoustic rendition of “Samson & Delilah”; a cowboy’s campfire version of the Exodus story; and the poignant lesson in tolerance, “Courage”.
Larry values the power of pure acoustic music. He learned his craft from national flatpicking champion Orrin Star. After serving as guitarist of Boston’s premier Israeli folk dance troupe Hamakor, Larry went on to found the innovative Jewish band Elijah Rock. When you listen to Larry’s recordings, you won’t hear studio guitarists; that’s him playing all the guitar parts.
Larry has influenced a generation of songleaders through his guitar master classes at the CAJE & NewCAJE Conferences, as director of NFTY’s Zimria, and as faculty at URJ summer camps. His Traveling Guitar Workshop offers intensive on-site training for songleaders at camps and synagogues.
When he’s not performing, Larry serves as the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Emek in Pleasanton, CA. Whether singing with teens at camp or leading worship as a rabbi, Larry brings a sense of spiritual presence and intimacy to the communities he serves.