Robbie Schaefer

If you’ve been to see Both Sides Now in the last few years, you were probably moved by the exquisite voice of my partner in the show Danielle Wertz. What you may not know is that she is an open-hearted, adventurous, hard-working soul who exudes kindness, is susceptible to enthusiasm and thinks I’m funny some of the time. She loves a good backstage Shabbat, harbors disdain for my taste for instant coffee, and has a hankering to move to everyplace she visits (except Terre Haute, Indiana) and a really sh*tty sense of direction. And, since Sunday, she also has a piece of a Grammy award for her vocals on First Snow, composed by . One last thing about our unlikely partnership and friendship: I’m old enough to be her dad which is probably why I wept like a proud papa when I found out she’d won. I’m so stinkin’ proud of you, partner.

Shabbat Shalom from backstage in Des Moines, IA

Hello, Cleveland.

Thank Gd they’re home. ✡️🎗️

Amidst my tears, I can hardly believe it. May every one of the hostages, living and deceased, arrive home into our arms that have been open and waiting for two years. May a cease-fire hold and Palestinians and Israelis finally know blessed silence. And may this be the first step toward Gazans being wrenched free from the Hamas terrorist-death cult that has used them and terrorized them for decades.

Nine months ago, surrounded by my kids, wife, mom and sister, I was ordained as a rabbi in Tarrytown, NY. It was one of the best days of my life. As Tandy and I walked downtown we passed by and she said “maybe you could play there”. I said “I’d love to but it’s way too big for us”. Welp. Here we are. tonight at Tarrytown Music Hall. It’s gonna be a packed house. My 11-year-old self and my just-last-year self are both kvelling real hard.

Not only do we have a bevy of tour dates lined up, but new recordings and merch are coming this Fall!

Info and tickets here: https://www.bothsidesnowshow.com/

BOOK CLUB , AUG. 25-OCT. 6

My friend Dave says Judaism is “the world’s longest running book club”. If so, I’m excited to add to that record-setting run. If you, like me, have in the past approached Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with something between the curious but perplexed head-tilt of a Labrador-retriever and a disinterested eye roll, this is the book for you! Join me online for 7 Mondays filled with guided learning and meaningful discussion. The course and its accompanying study guide will navigate us from the start of the month of Elul through the transformative Days of Awe to the joyful landing that is Sukkot. REGISTRATION LINK IN COMMENTS