‘Attitude of Gratitude’

Between being a composer, musician, and educator, Jay Rapoport is a man of many talents. His latest creative exploration–his third album Attitude of Gratitude– was released in January.

During the pandemic, Rapoport–who is Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple Sholom of Chicago–has been busy expanding his musical pursuits.

He made his network television debut on the Winter 2020 Disney Holiday Singalong , in which he wished viewers a Happy Chanukah. Six of his songs were also featured in Manginot: The Complete Jewish Songbook for Children, Vol. 3 from Transcontinental Music Publications.

Plus, last spring, Rapoport released his first music video of his theme song for the “La-bri’ut”–curriculum funded by the Covenant Foundation– which featured a virtual choir who sang and modeled good sneezing habits.

Attitude of Gratitude celebrates Rapoport’s seven years in Chicago and features collaborations with many local colleagues, as well as vocals from friends across the country and a band and production helmed by Zach Singer of Austin, Tex. “It was a silver lining of the pandemic that we got to work together,” said Rapoport.

He produced the entire album remotely last summer using a variety of methods–including text message, Garage Band, Facetime, and Zoom. Rather than pressing a CD, Rapoport created a gratitude-themed thank-you card which includes a free download link for the album.

“Geography was not an issue in a way it might have been pre-pandemic,” he said. “Doing [the album] virtually let me gather old friends and musicians from all over the country. It opened up a lot of possibilities I never thought about before.”

Several songs on the album were composed as theme songs for the Beit Sefer Shalom Religious School that Rapoport helms, along with several liturgical interpretations, social justice anthems, and songs dedicated to his two children.

The name Attitude of Gratitude is inspired by Rapoport’s favorite LP from childhood, Marlo Thomas & Friends’ Free To Be… You and Me , as well as Thanks a Thousand, author and Rapoport’s former congregant A.J. Jacobs’ book about gratitude and the interconnectedness of the world.

Rapoport’s album serves as an expression of gratitude towards his congregation, the Chicago Jewish community, and the musical home he has found with Jewish Rock Radio’s “Chicago Sings” project, which spotlights Chicago Jewish musicians.

Learn more about Jay Rapoport and the album at ruachrock.com.