
THE NIGUN – WORDLESS MELODIES IN THE JEWISH TRADITION (ONLINE)
Nigunim are wordless, repetitive melodies intended to inspire emotional and spiritual transcendence. A large part of the Hasidic musical tradition, they can be vastly different musically and are often rooted in Jewish text, lifecycle events or significant times in the Jewish calendar. At each session we will learn a couple of nigunim and explore how they might weave into Jewish practice.
Music is a universal language, the nigun can be an inclusive access point to Judaism for those who might be unfamiliar with Hebrew or struggle to connect with a religion that is so text-based.
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
Course structure
No previous musical experience is required. With everyone but the teacher on mute, you can sing to your heart’s content (even if you can’t sing!) in the comfort of your own home. If you fancy playing along by ear on an instrument, please do! Or if you’d prefer to just listen and let yourself be carried along by the music, that’s great too.
Prior knowledge
The course is given in English.
No prior knowledge about the subject or previous musical experience is required.
To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom. The school offers Zoom manuals and a training opportunity before the start of the course.
Course material
Course material is included in the cost for this course.
About the teacher
Ayala Gottlieb Alter is a Cantorial student, Singer, and Cellist from London. An accomplished concert artist and function musician, she served as Cantor for The Great Synagogue of Stockholm in 2024 and performed at The Riksdag in January 2025. Ayala is currently working towards the European Academy for Jewish Liturgy’s Baal T’filla Diploma and lending her voice to Masorti Judaism UK’s exciting new Shema Koleinu Tefillah (prayer) skills online resource.
Photo: Paideia/Canva.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Course information
Times
Sundays 18:00-19:30 CET
Course start
Sunday 14 September
14 sessions
Teacher
Ayala Gottlieb Alter
Application deadline
Thursday 31 July