A new music piece has been added to the catalog of de Toledo’s memory book.
Students of de Toledo know Mr. Jared Stein as the school’s music director. Little did most of the school know that he is also a full-time singer-songwriter who writes his own original music. Mr. Stein has been involved with the dTHS community for 17 years, and he has never been shy about sharing his passion for music with everyone inside and outside of de Toledo.
Stein premiered his newest song, “B’shem Ha’shem,” on the 16th of January this year. It’s the latest addition to his album, “Our Rainbow Room,” which he initially released in 2023. He wrote the song in 2021 in a late-night writing session and released the song two years later, but only with an audio. Fast forward a year and a half later, and he unexpectedly releases a visual rendition of his song on his YouTube channel. With curiosity rising, Stein tells us about his process of writing his song and his production of the music video.
Prowler: Did you write B’shem Ha’shem yourself? If so, what inspired you to?
Mr. Stein: Great question. I first came across this text through a beautiful Shlomo Carlebach melody. Over the years, I’ve been asked to sing it at baby namings and other life cycle events, and I’ve always loved the symbolism in it—the idea that angels surround us, watching over us. It ends with Shekinah, which represents the presence of the divine. That idea has always resonated with me. I wrote the song in 2021 during a late-night writing session. Sometimes, songwriting is a process of crafting, revising, and working through ideas, but every once in a while, a song just flows out effortlessly. This was one of those moments. It took about 15 to 20 minutes. I just started playing a chord progression, and the melody and lyrics fit together naturally. It felt like one of those moments where you’re not writing alone like there’s some kind of muse or unseen presence guiding the process. The song later became part of my 2023 album, “Our Rainbow Room.”
Prowler: What was the experience like filming the music video?
Mr. Stein: It was amazing. I wanted to work with a director who would help create something more than just a music video, something that felt like a short film or a work of art. I ended up collaborating with Jamie, my wife’s cousin, who is basically my cousin too. He’s done musical theater and other productions, both serious and comedic. I knew he was talented, and he was really invested in the project, so it worked out perfectly. We filmed at the House of the Book at Camp Alonim and Brandeis, one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been. The architecture is stunning. I actually got married in that building, so it holds a lot of personal significance for me. When I found out I could film there, I was blown away. Originally, we planned to shoot both inside and outside, but in the end, we filmed the entire video inside the building.
Prowler: Do you have any songs in the works that students and faculty can look forward to?
Mr. Stein: I’m starting to record another album as a follow-up to “Our Rainbow Room.” It will probably look slightly different with more individual tracks and concepts I have in mind. I also have a vision for a visual production for a healing song I wrote a while back. While I haven’t started filming it yet, look out for something by the end of the year, along with a Hanukkah song I have in the works.
