Album Notes

"The Kabbalah of Chanukah" is an hour-long CD of Tales, Teachings, and Sacred Music for the Festival of Lights and features Cantor Richard Kaplan and Estelle Frankel. This program was originally produced as a holiday special for Pacifca Radio, and has been aired on NPR and College radio stations nationwide. Running time: 55:54

"With support from KPFA´s Susan Stone, producer Russ Jennings has arranged a new invitation to an old natural mystic. I know my Chanukah data pretty well, but Estelle Frankel's evocative narrative, like letting you in on a delicious secret, is an order of magnitude up the ladder, from mind to spirit....And Cantor Richard Kaplan is something beyond easy categorization.. This is music to leap cultures...'The Kabbalah of Chanukah' empowers man's best hopes. And it feels good..."
--- www.prx.org review by Geo Beach

Estelle Frankel, MS is a psychotherapist, spiritual advisor, and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism who blends depth psychology with the wisdom and healing practices of Kabbalah. Ordained as a Rabbinic Pastor (mashpiah-maggidah) by Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalom, Estelle has taught Jewish studies in Israel and throughout the U.S. for over 30 years. She is currently on the teaching faculty of Chochmat Halev Center for Jewish Spirituality in Berkeley, Ca. Estelle is the author of Sacred Therapy: Jewish Spiritual Teachings on Emotional Healing and Inner Wholeness.

Additional biographical info at: www.sacredtherapy.com


Cantor Richard Kaplan MA has been the cantor of Temple Beth Abraham in Oaland, CA for the past ten years and leads the Jewish Renewal Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs) Minyan in Berkeley. He is a pianist, songwriter, ethnomusicologist, choral conductor and teacher who travels nationally and internationally giving concerts and workshops in Jewish World Music.

His website is www.kaplanmusic.com