Country music and Judaism may seem like an unlikely pairing—but for singer-songwriter Joe Buchanan, they’ve become one extraordinary calling. A Texas-born musician, Buchanan began exploring Judaism after discovering his wife’s Jewish heritage. Since converting to Judaism, he has forged a unique musical path, blending authentic Texas country with Jewish faith, tradition and joy. Join Buchanan for a conversation about his spiritual journey, how Judaism transformed his life and songwriting, his mission to bring Jewish joy through music, and his latest album, Heaven & Earth. In conversation with Joe Alterman, executive director of Neranenah.

Join Broadway historian Laurence Maslon, host of the NPR radio series Broadway to Main Street, for a conversation about the Jewish composers and lyricists who helped create the modern American musical. In conversation with Joe Alterman, executive director of Neranenah.

The documentary Great Performances – Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy, narrated by Broadway legend Joel Grey is streaming on PBS.

This program is part of The Pulse: Moments That Matter, a series of frank conversations on culturally relevant topics with musicians, comedians and other entertainment industry professionals to illuminate how being Jewish has shaped their experiences, both personally and professionally.

In 1943, German SS officers at Auschwitz-Birkenau demanded that an orchestra be assembled among the female prisoners. The Nazis’ insistence on hearing music is what ultimately saved the lives of most of the women and girls tasked with playing instruments. Join Anne Sebba, author of The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival, for a conversation about this little-known story, the impact the orchestra had on its members and the response from other prisoners. In conversation Joe Alterman, executive director of Neranenah.

This program is part of The Pulse: Moments That Matter, a series of frank conversations on culturally relevant topics with musicians, comedians and other entertainment industry professionals to illuminate how being Jewish has shaped their experiences, both personally and professionally. Sponsored by MomentLive! and Neranenah.