“When Temple Israel’s artist-in-residence, Jacob ‘Spike’ Kraus joined our music team, words like ‘energizing’, ‘inspiring’, and ‘electrifying’ became a part of our daily conversation. For years we dreamt of finding a “pied piper”, someone who could move a community to join hands, to jump up and sing at the top of their lungs, to connect people to their divine spark. Spike is that person. With his infectious energy, his total musical brilliance, and his unrelenting commitment to creating moments with meaning, he has, in a short time, become OUR pied piper.”
— Cantor Neil Michaels, Temple Israel (Michigan)
“Jacob is a vibrant song-and-service leader, a compelling storyteller, and an excellent musician. He engages youth with personality and humor and the young-at-heart through thoughtfulness and depth of Jewish knowledge. Impossible to be disappointed if you bring him in for a weekend!”
— Rabbi Aaron Meyer, Temple Emanuel (Pittsburgh)
“We were blown away by the intentionality and energy Spike brought to [Temple Beth Elohim]. Engaging with members of all ages, Spike led a series of programs that rooted us in Torah and reminded us of our role in making the world a better place. His setting of ‘Ma’ariv Aravim’ had our entire congregation singing during Friday night services, deepening our understanding of liturgy through creative midrash. Spike led our 20s/30s community in a thoughtful exploration of finding the sacred in secular music, co-led our Saturday morning minyan alongside our rabbinic intern, offered a Havdalah program for young families and inspired our Sunday religious school programs through music and prayer. Spike’s visit to TBE also helped many of our overnight campers relive the joy of Shabbat and song sessions at camp and got them excited for summer in the depths of our Boston winter. Spike integrated seamlessly with our programming, helping us to further the vision of our community, and I can’t wait to collaborate with him again in the future.”
— Cantor Shanna Zell, Temple Beth Elohim (Massachusetts)
“Spike’s work with our Choir was key to his integration into the heart of the congregation. He prepared “volunteer choir” level arrangements suitable for our choir’s abilities, and came to rehearse with the choir ahead of the Artist Weekend—what a great rehearsal! He connected with the singers immediately, and gently and expertly guided them to the sound and style that he wanted. The Choir sang at both Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services—seated in the congregation and facing Spike. The sound and the energy infused throughout the shul.”
— Cantor Dr. Janet Ilene Roth, Congregation Ohr Shalom (New Jersey)
“How can we describe the joyful, all-encompassing impact Spike has had on our full community as our Zipser Foundation Artist in Residence? Our teens, of course, adore him, and his guiding musical influence, his love of education, and his sheer creative energy have so richly elevated all of our services, programs, videos, albums and much more. I doubt any program anywhere has ever made raising funds easier or thrilled our donors more than having Spike with us.”
— Cantor Michael Smolash, Temple Israel (Michigan)
