Musicians

Cantor Mark Childs
Bob Remstein
David Childs


Cantor Mark Childs

The Layered Path

Spring, 2021

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love. Her friend, my mother-in-law Edie Ostern, created the artwork for the album which inspired it’s title.

If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.

Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

Sound engineering by Mark Casselman
Recorded at Orange Whip Studios, SB Sound Design, Big City Recording Studios
Track 1 recorded and engineered by David Reitzas
Original artwork by Edith Ostern
Graphic design by Talya Anter-Engel

With guitarist Rob Raede
Music & arrangement: Rob Raede
Sound engineering by Dave Reitzas
Text: liturgy

This text is from the morning liturgy. We begin each day with gratitude for the “pure soul” that G-d created and housed in each of us. We’re taught that we give it to its creator for safe keeping when we sleep at night. When we awaken to find it restored to us, we give thanks.
This composition was commissioned by CBB’s “Fund for New Jewish Music”.

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

With vocalists David Childs, Julie Barnett, Bob Remstein
Music & arrangement: Bob Remstein
Text: based on Stanley Kunitz’s poem “Layers” and Psalm 90:12

Stanley Kunitz’s poem “Layers” gives voice to the emotional complexities of growing old. Upon being introduced by Rabbi Malka Drucker to this poem, I was inspired to ask permission of its publisher to have it set to music (which was granted) as a way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the cantorial ordination of HUC-JIR-DFSSM’s Class of 1991. It needed a refrain, which let me to Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days…”. I brought these ideas to my friend and composer Bob Remstein, who meticulously crafted this epic masterpiece. It was commissioned by CBB’s “Fund for New Jewish Music” and premiered in concert by myself and my classmates in May 2016.

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

Music & arrangement: Bob Remstein
Text: liturgy

Our weekday liturgy (the Amidah) includes this prayer for healing. It is an impassioned plea for well-being and health that Bob Remstein composed with gentle firmness.

Heal us, Adonai, and we shall be healed; Save us and we shall be saved; for You are our Praise. Lift up a complete and perfect healing, a healing of body and spirit, to all our wounds for You are a Ruler Who heals with faithfulness, mercy and compassion.

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

With David Childs
music: Craig Taubman (used with permission), vocal arrangement by Alan Weiner, piano arrangement by Bob Remstein
text: liturgy

This setting of Hashkiveinu by Craig Taubman has become the most familiar to our congregation. This prayer asks G-d, each night as we end our day, to lay us down and to raise us up, in peace, when the morning dawns. Shelter us beneath protective wings, guard our coming and going now and forever.

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

with David Childs
Music & Arrangement: Bob Remstein
Text: Psalm 130

From the depths I call to You. Oh G-d, hear my voice.

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

with David Childs and harpist Laurie Rasmussen
music and arrangement: Judith Sanger

This poem, by Rabbi Chaim Stern, was published as part of the Shabbat evening service in the Reform Movement’s siddur, “Gates of Prayer”. It is our song that gives voice to the Divine. Let us not be afraid to sing out!

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

with David Childs
music and arrangement: Judith Sanger
text: Psalm 121

There are times when we need strength, fortitude, and help just to get through the next few minutes of trial, pain, grief. This psalm is a reminder that we only need to lift our eyes towards the horizon to know that help is near. Mountains can often be viewed as unsurmountable barriers. Here they are a symbol of majesty and a reminder that the One who performed the awesome act of creating those mountains is capable of imbuing us with strength and fortitude.

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

Text: Yehuda Amichai’s poem “B’terem”
Music and arrangement: Cantor Alan Weiner
Violin: Nicole McKenzie
Violin: Marie Hebert
Viola: Sean Lyons
Cello: Jeness Johnson

This is the most sonically challenging songs on this album, intentionally so. It is a reminder that the Layered Path that we walk upon is far from comfortable all the time. There are many moments of dissonance. The thought that our mortality beckons is not always soothing. This poem and it’s musical setting reminds us that there is much to do before our time is done. When it is, we ask that we be blessed with peace.

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

Text: liturgy
Music: Ovadia Hamama, arranged by Bob Remstein (Used with permission)
Violin: Nicole McKenzie
Violin: Marie Hebert
Viola: Sean Lyons
Cello: Jeness Johnson
Piano: Bob Remstein

With the mystical words of Ana B’cho’ach, we beg our Creator, the One who alone possesses a hand powerful enough, to loosen, to untangle, to untie the knots that keep us from reaching our full potential.

Please, by the great power of thy right hand, O set the captive free;Revered G-d, accept thy people’s prayer; strengthen us, cleanse us;Almighty G-d, guard us as the apple of the eye of those who seek thee;Bless them, cleanse them, pity them; ever grant them thy truth;Mighty, holy G-d, in thy abundant grace, guide thy people;Accept our prayer, hear our cry, Thou who knowest secret thoughts;Blessed be the name of G-d’s glorious majesty forever and ever.

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

with David Childs
Music & Arrangement: Joe Richter, z”l
Text: liturgy

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

Text: liturgy
Music: Sephardic melody, arranged by Bob Remstein

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021

Music & Text: Pete Seeger (used with permission)

Our journey into illness, healing and eventually passage to the World to Come is often circuitous and multi-layered. The songs on this album were assembled according to their messages of hope, strength, recovery, resolution, and oneness with our Creator. Many of these songs are original commissions by Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA, which I am proud to spotlight. Collaborating with my son, David, has been an intergenerational joy that would have made my mother Myrna Childs, to whom I dedicate this album, overflow with love
If these songs provide you or your loved ones with even a moment of respite and comfort as you travel your layered path, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Cantor Mark Childs
Spring, 2021