Yehudah Katz

Yehudah Katz is an American-born Israeli singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, and activist. He first rose to fame as the lead singer of seminal Jewish rock band Reva L'Sheva. As a solo artist, he has released three albums and performed with prominent Israeli singers like Ehud Banai and Kobi Oz. He is also the founder of the non-profit organization Artists and Musicians for Israel (AMI).

Career Katz, originally from Los Angeles, began his career as a backing musician for Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, performing on several of his albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He and his wife immigrated to Israel in 1993.

Reva L'Sheva

Shortly after Carlebach's death in 1994, Katz formed the band Reva L'Sheva with several fellow Carlebach-inspired musicians, including guitarist Lazer Lloyd and bassist Adam Wexler. Combining Carlebach's music with a jam band style similar to the Grateful Dead, the group was credited with inspiring a new wave of Jewish rock bands like Soulfarm and Moshav Band. They released six albums before disbanding in 2006, although they gave a reunion show in 2014.

Artists and Musicians for Israel (AMI) In 2005, Katz founded the non-profit Artists and Musicians for Israel (AMI). Based in Jerusalem, the organization uses workshops to teach Jewish young people around the world about Israeli culture and Jewish identity through music and art. They have held workshops in many Israeli high schools and pre-army mechinot. AMI also uses a series of concerts in their efforts. The first of these took place in Detroit, Michigan, where Reva L'Sheva and other Jewish musicians played for Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative congregations, as well as a show at the New Life Baptist Church where they were accompanied by a gospel choir.

Solo career Katz released his first solo album, Come Close, shortly after moving to Israel in 1993.

Following his time with Reva L'Sheva, Katz largely focused on his work with AMI, though he occasionally performed acoustic shows.

Discography Solo albums Come Close (Voices Along the Path, 1993) Biladecha Lo Avo ("I'm Not Coming Without You") (HaTav HaShmini, 2010) Full Circle (2014)

Music videos "Hodu" ("Thanks") (Biladecha Lo Avo, 2010) "Biladecha Lo Avo" (Biladecha Lo Avo, 2011) "Living On Through You" (Full Circle, 2015)

With Reva L'Sheva Higia HaZman (Voices Along the Path, 1996) Kumu (Noam Hafakot, 1998) Etz Chaim Hee (Voices Along the Path, 1999) Ahavat Chinam (Mayim/Welcome Music, 2001) 10: Live (Noam Hafakot, 2004) V'Sham Nashir (Noam Hafakot, 2005)

With Shlomo Carlebach Shlomo Sings with the Children Of Israel (Hiney Anochi V'hayeladim) (1989) – producer, acoustic guitar The Gift of Shabbos (1995) – producer, vocals, guitar Open Your Hearts (Music Made From The Soul, Vol. 1) (1986 Recordings) (1997) – producer, arranger, guitar, backing vocals Holy Brothers and Sisters (Music Made From The Soul, Vol. 2) (1986 Recordings) (1997) – producer, arranger, guitar, backing vocals