Batya's "Shamati" Project

Asking for your support: an invitation to listen

Dear Friends,

Since late in the last millennium I’ve been writing and recording inspirational and Jewish music, performing it when and where I can. I released my third and most recent album just before the pandemic, and as thoughts of going on the road were quickly dashed, I realized I’m really not cut out for what that entails: evening performances, schlepping, and being away from home.

Grateful to have regular opportunities to play music at my synagogue—the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center—and in several Zoom communities, I’ve also been able to share many songs on my YouTube channel. And as I keep writing new material, I’ve been wishing for a way to let folks hear, in close-to-real time, what I’m working on, which gave rise to this Shamati project.

Shamati (sha-MA-ti) in Hebrew means “I’ve heard”— from the same root as the word Shema, meaning “listen.” Shamati is widely used in Jewish communities when folks are sharing their truth: the speaker finishes and says dibarti (I’ve spoken), and those who’ve listened respond shamati.

All this to say that as I continue to write, I’d love to have you become a part of my community of supportive listeners. My idea is to send one email each month (with up to 3 songs), in which I share home demos, lyric videos, or some previously-released audio tracks; music aligned with Jewish values and the Hebrew calendar; teachings about the songs and/or stories of what inspired them. I invite you to listen, and ask only that you offer a shamati in response—whether it’s just that one word, or anything else you care to share.

I hope you’ll join me on this journey and sign up to receive my next email, to arrive during this lunar month of Elul with a view toward Rosh HaShannah. I feel so clear that at this time in my life, my calling is to share the songs of divine mystery that come through me, that others may find in them inspiration and healing.

Dibarti.

Blessings for a sweet and peaceful new year—l’shannah tovah,

Batya Diamond