Album Notes

In 1996, Gabie Sykora met Holly Dinur in a women's choir in their adopted home town of Ra'anana. Today, they are known by a dedicated following simply as Gabie and Holly. Performing for women-only audiences, these two modern Orthodox women have evolved a unique style of Jewish music that they have recorded on their first CD, "Lechu V'Nelchah B'Or Hashem."

Among many other venues all over the country, Holly and Gabie have performed at the Gerard Behar Theater with Shuli Natan, Binyanei Ha'Uma, National Emunah Convention, the Park Hotel in Netanya, and several times at Yad LeBanim in Ra'anana. Moving beyond sold-out shows and fund-raisers, the two women have responded to consistent audience requests by producing their first CD. Through it they hope to reach an even broader audience.

Gabie and Holly's unique musical style is an eclectic mix. Tracks on their newly released 54-minute CD include lyrics from a varied pool of sources ranging from Biblical and Talmudic verses, and a Bat Mitzvah prayer from the Italian Jewish liturgy to the modern poetry of Natan Alterman and the prayer for the State of Israel by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. "Lechu V'Nelchah B'Or Hashem" reflects Holly and Gabie's collaboration with Ralph Levitan, of Levitan Studios in Tel Aviv, who composed and arranged original music for eight of the twelve tracks and arranged the music for the remaining four numbers. Vocals are accompanied by such musicians as Avi Singolda, Avi Piamenta, Asher Fedi, Nitzan Ein-Ha'Bar, and Ralph Levitan, among others. The CD insert is colorfully illustrated with original artwork and provides the listener with words, English translations, and background information.

Gabie, an occupational therapist and mother of six, and Holly, a special educator and the mother of four, assert that through their music, they try to provide both a voice and a role model for other women and their daughters who wish to express a love of Jewish life and the strength of Jewish women, through a halachically acceptable creative outlet.

The two singers, along with dancers and a dramatic storyteller, comprise "Bat Kol BaSharon," the performing group of MaTaN HaSharon, the women's Torah study institute in Ra'anana. They have performed together all over Israel before both religious and secular women's groups.

To book a performance, please contact:
+972-544530689
+972-547689727
or email: sykora@012.net.il

1. Beit Yaakov - Music: Ralph Levitan
Words: Isaiah 2:5 33:6
2. Gibor Ka'ari - Music: Ralph Levitan
Words: Ethics of the Fathers 5:23
3. Adon Olam - Music: Ralph Levitan
Words: Morning Service
4. Tfilah L'Shlom Hamedinah - Music: David Burger
Words: Chief Rabbinate of Israel
5. Eishet Chayil - Music: Jeff Braverman
Words: Proverbs 31
6. Im Eshkachech - Music: Ralph Levitan
Words:Psalms 137:5-6
7. Vatikach Miriam - Music: Ralph Levitan
Words: Exodus 15:20-21
8. Tfilah L'Bat Mitzvah - Music: Ralph Levitan
Words: Blessing of Children for Yom Kippur and
Bat Mitzvah Prayer of Italian Jewish Communities
9. Al HaTorah - Music: Ralph Levitan
Words: Blessings for the Haftarah
10. Ki Malachav - Music: Ralph Levitan
Words: Psalms 91:11 & 121:8
11. Leil Chanayah - Music: Yair Rosenbloom
Words: Natan Alterman
12. Va'ani B'chasdechah - Music: R' Shlomo Carlebach
Words:Psalms 13:6