I enjoy using the traditional nusach, the melodies and modes of the Jewish year, to compose and arrange cantorial and congregational tunes and settings for Jewish liturgy. All music on this page, unless otherwise attributed, is copyrighted to Vera Broekhuysen.

Ahavat Olam chant, written in 2023 for Belle Halpern of Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley.

Caoba Farms Nign, written in Antigua, Guatemala as part of the 2019-20 Global Justice Fellowship of American Jewish World Service. Composed and recorded by Vera Broekhuysen in 2020.

Poteiakh et-yadekha, Hebrew from Psalm 145 (“Ashrei”), original English translation, created for a minchah (afternoon) service at the New Mexico/Mexico border wall near El Paso on a clergy witness trip to the border with T’ruah and HIAS. Composed and recorded by Vera Broekhuysen in 2019.

Leikh B’simkha, piyyut (liturgical poem) with words by Rabbi Moses Ibn Ezra and original melody by Vera Broekhuysen. For N’ilah. Composed and recorded by Vera Broekhuysen (tof and vocals) in 2015.

Birkat Me’ein Sheva, first and third paragraphs of the liturgical summary, chanted aloud by the shaliakh tzibbur (prayer leader), of the Silent Amidah for Friday evenings. Composed in 2014, recorded in 2015.

Shalom Aleichem, traditional liturgical poem welcoming Shabbat on Friday evenings. Original melody composed by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman; arranged by Rabbi Friedman, Vera Broekhuysen and Amy Lieberman in 2013 for Kol Arev, Hebrew College’s chamber choir. This track was recorded live (with the opening duet by Rabbi Friedman and Vera Broekhuysen) and was released on Rabbi Friedman’s 2014 album Guesthouse (mixed and mastered at Dimension Sound Studios, Jamaica Plain, MA). Shalom Aleichem was recently selected for the concert program of Shalshelet’s 6th International Festival of New Jewish Liturgical Music, projected for fall 2016.