When creating collective experiences, don’t do anything just because it’s the default. Every detail can make the difference between mundane and magical
Micah Hendler, Founder & Artistic Director of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, is a musical bridge-builder working at the intersection of singing, dialogue, and social change. Over two decades, he has pioneered a methodology for cultivating community across conflict — a toolkit he has put into practice not only through creating the Israeli-Palestinian Jerusalem Youth Chorus and navigating it successfully through more than a dozen years of escalating violence, but also with multiple organizations working across America’s many divides.
A Yale graduate with degrees in Music and International Studies, Micah uses Community Singing and CircleSinging to create instant choirs anywhere anytime and has been engaged in dialogue work for more than 20 years. He is currently writing Impossible Harmony (HarperOne 2027), distilling the toolkit he has developed across continents and conflicts — and offering proof that it works — to anyone seeking to bridge divides through the transformative power of music and authentic human connection. A TED Speaker, Forbes 30 Under 30 list-maker, and Sounds of US Fellow, Micah uses participatory musical keynotes to kick off constructive conversation around even the most contentious issues.
Micah lives in Washington, DC, where he serves as the bandleader at Adas Israel Congregation and leads regular Community Sings.
One thing I learned from Nava Tehila:
When creating collective experiences, don’t do anything just because it’s the default. Every detail can make the difference between mundane and magical.