The Folk Rock Rabbi of Rockland

Rockland local Geoffrey Sloshay, also known as The Folk Rock Rabbi or Gedalya, is using his musical talents as a singer-songwriter to spread positivity and joy wherever he goes. His albums focus on themes of faith, morality and growth, something that he feels is lacking in the modern world of media. While Gedalya is a Orthodox Jewish man, he believes that audiences of all backgrounds are able to connect with his songs as they experience through his music the struggles and joys of being alive. Gedalya likens his performances to a trip to an art museum. “I’m presenting a picture in music and words that are personal to me, that [audiences] can then take…and experience it in the way that they need to.”

Gedalya also finds creative fulfillment as the director of a non-profit, A New Song USA. This program puts on musical performances for incarcerated people, an experience that seems to have been instrumental in the Folk Rock Rabbi’s musical career.

A New Song USA was born as a result of Covid. When Gedalya first got started, he was hoping to put out inspirational songs and positive playlists to lift people’s spirits. After a blues performance in Detroit, a chaplain came out from the crowd and approached Gedalya, asking if he would perform for prisoners in the city. Sloshay agreed, and was stunned by his experience in the prison. He recalled how there were no cell phones, allowing for a total presence by the audience. “Afterwards, they were coming over and giving me blessings, and telling me how they really want my music to get out to other prisons,” said Gedalya.

As a result of this experience, Gedalya realized that he wanted to use his music as a way to continue encouraging incarcerated audiences to reconnect with themselves. One example Gedalya shared took place in a prison where the entire front row was stacked with Hells Angels. Gedalya sang a song called “Little Girl”, which follows the story of a father reconnecting with his daughter. By the end of the piece, “Some of them had tears in their eyes,” said Gedalya. The tough Hell’s Angels had visibly softened as Gedalya’s music had moved their thoughts inwards, and encouraged them to think of their own loved ones.

Gedalya’s audiences have been “every possible faith…and they all connect,” said Gedalya. For Gedalya, it is less about religion and more about encouraging positivity in self reflection.

Thanks to the impact that Gedalya has seen in his prison performances, he is now looking forward to sharing his gifts through public performances throughout his hometown of Rockland.

Coming up on March 18th, Gedalya will be performing songs from his album “This is My World” at the Suffern Free Library. Gedalya hopes that all audiences walk away from his performance asking themselves “What can I create and put out there that would be something good for people to see, hear, whatever [their] art is?”.

Those wanting to infuse their lives with some more positivity (and let’s be real, who doesn’t need some more positivity?) can check out Gedalya’s music at thefolkrockrabbi.com/home or follow him on all social media under @folkrockrabbi.