Ma'agal (מַעְגָל = circle) Maryland is a joy-filled community of singers from across the Metro DC area. We gather in a niggun circle to share connection and to lift our spirits by joining our voices in Jewish song. All are welcome!
What is a niggun, you might be asking? A niggun is a wordless melody, usually composed in an A - B - A or A - B - C - A format, in terms of musical phrases. The phrases typical start low in the musical register, rising with each progressive section, so that B is higher than A, and C is typically higher than B, and then it resolves back to the beginning.
Early in 2024, a group of friends in Rockville, Maryland discovered a shared love of niggun, and a special love for the music, approach to harmony and teaching of Hadar's Rising Song Institute. Rena Strauss ventured up to NYC to attend one of Rising Song's intensive workshops, and came home brimming with excitement and inspiration. Along with Rising Song enthusiasts Jason Schwartz, Janaki Kuruppu and Laura Wallace, Rena decided to create more opportunities for us to come together and sing here in Maryland. Ma'agal Maryland was born!
What began as a dozen or so friends in our living rooms has grown to filling larger spaces in our synagogues and community spaces! Some of our members have begun composing original melodies. We will be singing on the way up to New York on a chartered bus for the next Rising Song Institute workshop in June.
We are grateful and thrilled to announce that, as of January 2025, we are an official Hadar Community Group. Hadar is an institution that fosters Jewish learning and Jewish music. Because of Hadar’s generous support we have added percussion accompaniment at some of our events, adding a new depth to our singing.
Welcome, we are SO glad to have you join us!
Hadar Community Group leaders
Rena Strauss, Jason Schwartz. Laura Wallace, Naomi Mirman, Melanie Dankowicz, Michael Harrison, Lydia Graslie and Janaki Kuruppu