Nu! to Nigun: A Musical Chassidic Workshop

Join PDX Nigun Circle facilitator Aiden Kugelman-Samba for Nu! to Nigun, a monthly workshop inviting the Portland Jewish community into the powerful world of nigunim—wordless Jewish melodies that open the heart, deepen the soul, and connect us to something greater.

Free/All Ages

Whether you're new to this tradition or a longtime lover of Jewish song, this gathering is designed to help you build musical confidence, nourish spiritual depth, and experience the transformative joy of communal singing. Each session focuses on a single nigun, allowing us to sink into its unique emotional and spiritual landscape—whether celebratory, yearning, meditative, or ecstatic.

Rooted in Chassidic musical and spiritual traditions, Nu to Nigun is also a space of discovery. Through text-based learning and guided reflection, we’ll explore the historical and spiritual contexts of each melody—learning about the Chassidic group or teacher it comes from, and how it fits into the broader tradition of Jewish spiritual practice. Together, we’ll open up concepts like dveikut (spiritual attachment), tikkun olam, and the role of joy and song in Chassidic thought—always in an accessible, beginner-friendly way.

Our goals are simple but profound:

Learn by ear: Build your ability to learn melodies in the traditional oral style.
Understand the roots: Discover the history and intention behind each nigun and the movement it comes from (Chabad, Breslov, etc.).
Nourish the soul: Use melody and reflection to touch deeper places of the heart and return to connection with the Divine.
Strengthen community: Feel the joy of singing in harmony with others, across age, background, and level of observance.

This is a mixed-gender, mechitza-free space, open to all regardless of musical background, religious practice, or familiarity with Chassidut. Children are welcome (please let us know in advance if you plan to bring them so we can help create a good experience for all), but this is an adult-geared space just due to the complexity of the material.

Each workshop includes time to settle in and connect, followed by a structured but warm session that may include:

Vocal warm-ups and breath work
Kavanot (intentions) and spiritual framing
Accessible Chassidic teachings
Guided melody learning
Group singing with dynamic exploration (pace, volume, ornamentation, etc.)
Time for reflection and personal integration

You don’t need to know Hebrew or have prior exposure to nigunim. Just bring your voice, your curiosity, and your openness to being moved.

Whether you're seeking musical connection, spiritual renewal, or a deeper understanding of Jewish tradition, Nu! to Nigun is a space to encounter the ancient and the new, side by side—in song, in spirit, and in community.

Follow @pdxnigun circle on Instagram for updates, or get in touch via email: aidenkent13@gmail.com.