Songleader and community organizer in Berkeley, California
For more than two decades, Ben has been creating participatory music spaces that help people sing, listen, lead, and belong.
Sacred Music Fellowship
Ben is the founder and executive director of Sacred Music Fellowship, a Berkeley nonprofit that unites people from diverse backgrounds through music.
- SingJam
- An all-ages rock and folk jam where everyone is invited to sing and play.
- Sacred Music Sessions
- Music leaders from different faiths and cultures share their traditions, from klezmer to Sufi music.
- Interfaith celebrations
- Large community programs that bring traditions together, like the annual Interfaith Holiday Concert.
Testimonials
Ben Kramarz has led communities in song from San Francisco to New York City. He is a lovely, thoughtful songleader who brings beauty out of the people he works with.
Ben Kramarz ran a very engaging workshop for us on social justice songs. He’s a dynamic songleader and facilitator with a strong presence. Our participants loved the session, which provided them with both a meaningful experience and also tools for facilitating future events. It was an absolute pleasure working with him and we look forward to having him back.
Ben has a wonderful, easy manner when he teaches and keeps everyone involved in the work. His voice lends itself to communal singing, his guitar skills enhance the music, and his smile puts a group at ease. Ben’s workshop had all of us engaged in making music together!
Ben Kramarz is an excellent songleader and an amazing musician. He brings spirit and energy to everything he does. It’s a pleasure to work with Ben!
Ben Kramarz takes songleading to the next level! Everything he does is with thought, intention, heart and years of graduate-level research behind it. Ben has crazy musical skills, has studied ample Talmud and knows Jewish folk music and communal singing deeper than possibly anyone in the world.
Ben is a personal friend who I admire for his deep contemplation and thorough exploration of Jewish teaching and values. Ben has demonstrated his leadership in the community through his music, Torah thoughts and inspiration and organizing educational programs for the benefit of many. Ben has played music at our events and clearly has a lot of experience engaging both large and small group.
A Guide to Songleading and Communal Singing
“This wonderful book will help you to learn how to use singing to empower people, build community, and change lives. A must for songleaders everywhere!”
Peter Blood & Annie Patterson, editors of Rise Up Singing