The Real Meaning of Being Mighty

It’s not about power over the world—it’s about power over yourself.

We all want to feel powerful.
To feel like we can handle whatever comes our way, stand tall under pressure, and push through…

At first glance, the phrase seems straightforward:

“What’s mine is mine.
What’s yours is yours.”

Clear boundaries. Respect. Integrity. It seems fair, even wise.

And yet, the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) calls this mindset the attribute…

When Music Meets the Weight of Life

Some moments in chaplaincy aren’t meant for words. A patient overwhelmed by fear. A student exhausted by routine. A staff member carrying unseen burdens. In those spaces, presence matters more than advice—and sometimes…

Every time I spend time in a prison setting, I’m reminded of something most of the world never sees: real change doesn’t begin with rules or programs, it begins with recognition. Before a person can imagine rebuilding their life, they…

One of the most honest questions I’ve ever been asked came from inside a prison.

It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t loud. It didn’t come from anger.
It came quietly, almost carefully, as if the person asking it had been carrying…

Hi, it’s Gedalya,

We live in a world that promises everything fast and easy—food at a tap, answers in a second, even “instant” relationships. But after years of making music and meeting people in all walks of life—including behind prison…

The Person You Are When You’re Alone
When the world grows quiet and the screens go dark, we meet the person we truly are—unfiltered, unguarded, and quietly honest. In those rare moments of solitude, we catch glimpses of the self…

Hey there!
It’s Gedalya. I have been reflecting on how my faith has reshaped my aspirations in music, and I’d like to share that journey with you.

Music has always been a part of my life, but the reasons behind…

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit Haynesville Correctional Center in Virginia—a stop on my journey to bring music, stories, and a little light to places that need it most. The weather was beautiful, which always feels like a small…

Hi,
Gedalya here once again. Today, I want to open up about how faith and music have become two of the most defining—and intertwined—threads in my life. Looking back, I’m fascinated by how these forces came together, shaping my path…

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…

Hey there,

Gedalya here, back again with some thoughts for my prison blog. I wanted to take a moment to speak to all of you working so hard in correctional facilities—the guards, counselors, nurses, administrators, and more.

You have such…

I was performing at Rikers Island, a prison in New York, when one of the inmates raised his hand during a Q&A. “Why are you doing this?” he asked. At first, I joked, “I just like to be different.” And…

In this episode Gedalya speaks about a question he was asked by an inmate at recent performance at Rikers Island Correctional Facility in NYC.

Gedalya is the director of ⁠A New Song USA⁠ a charity dedicated to using…

Questioning My Mission
Hey everyone, it’s Gedalya back with another thought. I’ve been on quite the journey, bringing music to people who don’t usually get to hear it: prisoners. Moreover, let me tell you, not everyone is thrilled about it…

If you had told me years ago that I would one day be performing folk-rock music in prisons across America, I probably would have smiled and dismissed the idea as far-fetched. Yet here I am, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, strumming…

Starting a nonprofit organization was never something I imagined for myself when I first picked up a guitar. But as my journey as a folk-rock artist evolved, so did my understanding of the power of music. It became clear to…

Hey folks, it's Gedalya here!

In this blog I'd like to talk about one of my recent prison concert experiences. I had the pleasure of performing at Wyoming Correctional Facility in Wyoming, New York. Not to be confused with the…

Hi, it’s Gedalya again, and I’m excited to share a new chapter in my journey—one that takes the music and stories born behind prison walls and brings them into the heart of our communities.
I’ve had the privilege of performing…

Embracing My Musical Identity and Connecting with Inmates
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…

When you start playing music for a living, you quickly learn that people love to draw comparisons. It’s only natural, I suppose. Over the years, I’ve been compared to some of the greats—Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. While…

When people think of organizing a concert, they often imagine booking a venue, arranging the sound system, and spreading the word to eager fans. But organizing a concert in a prison? That’s a whole different ballgame. As the founder of…

When my Journey with Music Began. 

It was the 90s when I first set foot in New York, with a guitar and a dream to become a singer-songwriter. The vibrant streets of the Village became my stage, and songwriting was…

For over 20 years, Gedalya has entertained and inspired audiences with his folk-rock melodies and uplifting lyrics. Now, he will be bringing his musical message of hope and healing to a larger audience with his nonprofit organization, A New Song…