Our Song is Our Strength

The piyut (liturgical poem) is the soundtrack of Jewish culture. It is the essence of our people's memory, identity, and story. It is the gateway to the world of prayer, the cycle of the year, the Shabbat table, and the life rituals. In recent years, the piyut has become a shared cultural asset, a part of the secret that has preserved Jewish identity and culture throughout the ages, in both the East and the West. The wisdom of the ages forms the foundation of a rich, diverse, and unifying Jewish-Israeli culture. For about twenty years, we at "Invitation to Piyut" at the Snunit Center in Jerusalem have been engaged in the preservation, renewal, and accessibility of the world of piyut and prayer. We have created the largest and most significant collection of its kind in the world, containing thousands of recordings of piyyutim, prayers, and Torah readings from all Jewish traditions. This collection realizes our vision: making Israel's traditions accessible and alive for everyone, both in Israel and around the world. To achieve this, we brought experienced cantors and prayer leaders to the studios to preserve and revive forgotten traditions. We researched past traditions, initiated modern renewals, and led a revolution in Israeli society. The older generation, serving as a bridge to a whole world of knowledge, wisdom, and beauty, is a hidden treasure. Sometimes, one individual is the sole keeper of an entire tradition. There is a danger that many traditions will be forgotten. We are called to continue our work. "Invitation to Piyut" relies on several sources of funding. The financial challenges are significant, especially at this time, and we are seeking various funding channels for the future. We invite you to join the circle of friends of the site and become partners in our work, each according to their ability. Your partnership will enable us to continue collecting various traditions for you and to operate vigorously. This is a historical mission, and we invite you to be a part of it.