Beyond the Bars-Spiritual insights from prisons and life

Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting Haynesville Correctional Center in Virginia. The trip was smooth, the weather beautiful — a blessing I always appreciate. Sometimes, it’s the little things, like good weather, that remind us to be grateful for every moment.Upon arrival, I went through the usual security checks. Funny enough, I didn’t realize how much trouble a small Ricola candy could cause! I had one in my pocket to soothe my throat for singing,  but it delayed me quite a bit. Lesson learned: no Ricola candies in prisons!  Setting up my equipment was surprisingly relaxing. I took my time, tuning the sound, and was pleased with how it turned out. Good sound truly inspires me, and I was happy to share my music with a great group of men.I started with my song A Song is Born, followed by a few guitar pieces including my new song The World is Still the Same. We discussed how the world feels different today, and I opened the floor for questions. The conversation naturally turned to spirituality. Everyone agreed that people are becoming more spiritual, especially those who have time to reflect, like the men in the room.One of the most profound moments was when we talked about acts of kindness. It struck me how central kindness is to positive change. Being givers rather than takers is truly at the root of healing and growth.One man shared how he ran a store and always greeted customers warmly, trying to make them feel good. Another spoke about practicing patience — an act of kindness that requires giving of oneself. A third shared a humorous story about smiling and waving when someone gave him the finger in traffic — a small but powerful act of kindness that brought laughter to the room.After about two hours of music and conversation, the event ended with many blessings and well wishes for a safe trip home and success in spreading my music.If you’re reading this and feel inspired, I encourage you to share a song with a positive message or perform an act of kindness today. Together, our individual actions can make the world a little better.I’m Gedalya, the Folk Rock Rabbi, and I’m on a mission to spread good vibes and stories through music. If you’re in any city I visit, let me know — I’d love to host a home concert and share more experiences.Next stop: State Farm Correctional Center in Virginia. Stay tuned for more stories and songs.

Although Beyond the Bars often highlights my experiences bringing music to prisons, this podcast is also about what happens beyond those moments—about my journey as a songwriter, storyteller, and someone striving to share light in the world. In this Songs Revisited episode, I share the inspiration and story behind “A Song Is Born,” exploring how the creative process and real-life reflections come together in my music. Whether I’m performing behind the bars or out on the road, these songs and stories are all part of my mission to spread hope and meaning. Listen in for a fresh perspective and a deeper connection to the heart of the song.

Gedalya shares stories from recent prison concerts and reflects on the spiritual pulse of America in this kickoff to his new series, “On the Heels of the Messiah.” Hear how music opens hearts behind bars, discover what’s next on the journey, and learn about joining the new Patreon community for exclusive content and deeper connections.Gedalya Folk Rock Rabbi on Patreon A New Song USA on Patreon

Holding On to a VisionWhy Inspiration Alone Is Never EnoughSometimes, a melody holds more than just notes—it carries a vision. In this podcast, I reflect on a recent voice recording and share the lyrics to “Holding on to a Vision,” a song born out of moments of clarity, struggle, and hope. I invite you to read, listen, and maybe even find your own vision within the lines.When the Flame Flickers: Holding on to a Vision Through Highs and LowsIn life, it’s easy to let go of things — goals, dreams, even who we thought we were meant to be. But sometimes, the most powerful journey we take is the one that calls us to hold on a little longer. This idea lies at the heart of a song I wrote years ago called Holding on to a Vision. And just recently, I found myself reflecting again on where that song came from — and what it still teaches me.The Song That Spoke Before Its TimeHolding On to a Vision wasn’t born from triumph. It came from a moment of struggle — when I was uncertain about the direction I was heading, yet something inside told me not to give up. I didn’t write the song because I had everything figured out. I wrote it because I needed the reminder myself. It was as if the song spoke before I fully understood what it was trying to tell me.Back then, the mission of A New Song USA was just beginning to unfold. I had only started visiting prisons and performing for people society had pushed to the edges. I was searching for the right words and the right way to give something real. That search — and the resistance I felt at times, both internal and external — is what shaped the song. And now, all these years later, it feels more relevant than ever.Letting the Vision Grow with YouWhat I’ve come to realize is that a true vision isn’t something that stays locked in time. It grows with you. It challenges you. And it waits for you to catch up.Sometimes we’re quick to abandon our path the moment it doesn’t look the way we expected. We think the vision must have been wrong — or that we’re no longer capable of carrying it. But what if that vision was right, and it’s just waiting for us to grow into it?This is why I still sing Holding on to a Vision. Because even today, there are moments when I need that message again — to hold on, to believe, and to keep showing up with whatever strength I have in that moment. Whether I’m singing for a crowd or sharing a story in a small room, I try to remember the heart of it all: connection, truth, and the refusal to let hope fade.Sometimes the clearest truths come not when we’re standing on a mountaintop, but when we’re deep in the valley, trying to remember why we started climbing in the first place.So, if you're feeling like your vision has slipped away, I hope these words — and maybe the song — remind you that it’s still there. Maybe it’s just waiting for you to meet it again.“Holding on to a vision it gets clearer every day Don’t rely on inspiration because it fades away.”If this song resonates with you…Music is not only meant to be heard — it’s meant to be shared. If you feel a connection to “Holding on to a Vision” and see a way this song could take on a life beyond this page — in a project, a performance, or even your own personal soundtrack — feel free to reach out.

As I stood in front of a room full of inmates, guitar in hand, I couldn't help but feel the weight of their expectations. Here I was, an Orthodox Jew, about to perform folk-rock music in a prison library for all faiths. To say that I looked a bit out of place might be an understatement. But as soon as I strummed the first chord and began to sing, something magical happened. The tension in the room melted away, and I felt a connection with the audience that transcended our different worlds.

In this episode Gedalya speaks about a question he was asked by an inmate at a recent performance at Rikers Island Correctional Facility in NYC. Gedalya is the director of A New Song USA a charity dedicated to using the power of music to bring hope to incarcerated individuals.

In this interview of Gedalya, Yaakov W. asks him to speak about his past.  They speak about Gedalya's Jewish upbringing, how and why he became more observant later in life. Gedalya recalls various moments in his life that had special significance to him as a man in search of his true self and as growing artist. 

In this podcast Gedalya Folk Rock Rabbi speaks about his July 2022 release of his song Wake Up. For more about Gedalya or the song please visit GedalyaFolkRockRabbi 

Gedalya shares some thoughts about his 2018 single Man of Faith.

I chose a song of mine and tried to say something insightful. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks, and only good things. 

"A person who wants to take charge of his life doesn't have to wait to be told what to do!" We can learn this from Joseph in the Bible. In the book of Genesis, chapter 41, verse 41, it says when the king of Egypt appointed Joseph to be in charge of the entire land of Egypt, the king simply said to him, "See I have placed you in charge of the entire land of Egypt." Notably, he did not explain to Joseph what he was to do, rather he simply told him to "see.”  Because telling him to "see," as the commentaries explain was tantamount to telling him to contemplate, appreciate and to do the right thing with what he was being given. Every one of us has gifts we've been given. Our spouses, our children, our jobs and our possessions are all things we've been put in charge of, and taking time to recognize this is the beginning of taking charge of our lives. Sometimes we are held back from accomplishing what we can achieve just because our focus is in the wrong place. We're looking outside of our lives for the things we want and neglecting to recognize the things we have. When our perspective changes to appreciating what we have we will automatically begin to work on making these things better. To change direction in life is not an easy thing. The first step is simple awareness, to see what we've been given. Wishing you all only good things.