2.11 | Charlie Kramer - "Closer" 

This week, my man Charlie Kramer from LA opens up about his blindness and how that has impacted his life as a Jewish songwriter.  Then we talk about the powerful message of hope behind his tune "Closer."

Listen to "Closer" and all of the featured songs that have appeared on Jewish songwriter by subscribing to the Jewish Songwriter Playlist on YouTube and Spotify.  

Legally blind and armed with an acoustic guitar, Charlie Kramer unites, magnetizes and elevates the communities around him. A touring songleader, songwriter & spiritual leader. Charlie has sung with communities throughout North America, Israel, Australia and New Zealand.  

Full time song leader at Temple Israel of Hollywood, Head Songleader 3 years running at Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, Faculty at the 2016 UPJ Shir Chadash Conference (Union for Progressive Judaism), Presenter at the 2017 ACC Mid Winter Retreat (American Conference of Cantors), featured as an “Emerging Artist” on Jewish Rock Radio, Faculty at the 2019 SLBC National Conference (SongLeader Bootcamp), and host of 2 Jewish Rock Radio shows (Artist Feature and Jewish Camp Rocks), Charlie’s soul shines whenever he leads.  

Pioneering generous gear and instrument donations, Charlie worked to transform the camp library into “The Lab”, Camp Hess Kramer’s first ever fully designated music space. Enabling campers to explore their musicality in a fresh environment, the creation of “The Lab” culminated with CHK’s first inaugural Rock Band. Charlie established a thriving youth choir culture with 3 different age groups at Temple Israel of Hollywood (1st-3rd, 4th-6th and 7th-10th grades). This year, co-leading the Teen Chavurah at SLBC, Charlie is more present in the Jewish world of song than ever as he unlocks and activates the potential of each community he leads.  

Released in September 2017, Charlie’s debut EP, We Will Overcome maps out personal and global struggles with comforting, spiritually-driven sing-along anthems. With the music of We Will Overcome, Charlie hosted a Gathering for Change- combining concert, social action projects & fundraising together to benefit change-based organizations & communities in need of healing. During one Gathering for Change, Charlie and Temple Israel of Long Beach raised over $1,000 for Hurricane relief in Puerto Rico!! All proceeds (Every Dime!) of We Will Overcome benefit Planned Parenthood and The Ricky Martin Foundation.

Charlie's YouTube Page
Charlie's Spotify
Charlie's Facebook
Charlie's Website

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