About
Music by Heart offers Jewish music classes, songwriting workshops, and a family workshop, along with professional development workshops for Jewish educators. The program’s Jewish Music Programs include cultural, linguistic, and musical journeys that use modern songs incorporating both English and Hebrew, based on traditional Jewish ideals and teachings. Music by Heart also offers the Cousins Like Us musical storybook program, which blends music, immersive storytelling, and cultural exploration.
• Ages: 3–10 years old
Music by Heart is a non-profit music organization founded by Israeli musician and educator Lior Ben-Hur and was created to forge a bond between Jewish life and music for the next generation and to make this accessible to all. Its programs work with Jewish early childhood education programs, day schools, and supplementary schools to provide experiential music education and are primarily targeted to preschools and lower elementary schools. The organization reports serving 75 classrooms, 190 educators, and 1500 families.
The Cousins Like Us program offers a cultural exchange between Israeli and American Jews and invites American Jewish children and families to explore the people, culture, language, and music of Israel. Cousins Like Us includes a music album for parents and children, an educational app for children, and an activity guide for educators. One parent reported that their whole family enjoyed interacting with the book, that their daughter repeatedly played the songs and shared them with friends, and that they appreciated sharing gratitude with their class during the family workshop. An educator reported that the Cousins Like Us program supported deep discussions and conversations in the classroom and a deeper understanding of both cultures taught in the program.
Music by Heart’s mission is to strengthen connection and belonging to Jewish life through the transformative power of music. The organization is supported and funded by partners and works in classrooms, homes, and communities across North America.
Founder and CEO Lior Ben-Hur is a performing artist, music composer, and award-winning educator born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel, with a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University in the World Music program, and he currently serves as the Music Director of Yavneh Day School in Los Gatos, CA. In 2013, he won the national Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education for his work integrating music into education. Chief Program Officer Liat Salman has 17 years of experience in formal and informal education with preschoolers, youth, and adults, has directed early childhood programs at multiple Jewish institutions, holds a JECELI Certificate in Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership, and is pursuing a master’s in Innovative Jewish Education at the Hebrew University. Consultant Vicky Kelman focuses on engaging families in shared Jewish experiences, has staffed a family camp for families with special needs kids, facilitated parenting workshops, developed family High Holiday and Shavuot experiences, and received the Covenant Award in 2003. Visual designer Daniel Buckwald studied visual communication with an emphasis on illustration at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem and works as an art director. Board member Ellen Konar has served as a research director and executive at technology firms such as Google, Intel, and IBM, was appointed an Intel Fellow, and held adjunct appointments at Stanford and Berkeley Business Schools. The leadership team also includes Jamie Zimmer (Communications and Engagement), Zvi Weiss (Board Chair), Etai Freedman (Vice President), Diane Tobin (Treasurer), Mindy Berkowitz (Vice President), Rabbi Laurie Hahn Tapper (Board member), Rabbi Jessica Kirschner (Board member), and Dr. Evan Kletter (Board member).
Last updated March 6, 2026.
• Ages: 3–10 years old
Music by Heart is a non-profit music organization founded by Israeli musician and educator Lior Ben-Hur and was created to forge a bond between Jewish life and music for the next generation and to make this accessible to all. Its programs work with Jewish early childhood education programs, day schools, and supplementary schools to provide experiential music education and are primarily targeted to preschools and lower elementary schools. The organization reports serving 75 classrooms, 190 educators, and 1500 families.
The Cousins Like Us program offers a cultural exchange between Israeli and American Jews and invites American Jewish children and families to explore the people, culture, language, and music of Israel. Cousins Like Us includes a music album for parents and children, an educational app for children, and an activity guide for educators. One parent reported that their whole family enjoyed interacting with the book, that their daughter repeatedly played the songs and shared them with friends, and that they appreciated sharing gratitude with their class during the family workshop. An educator reported that the Cousins Like Us program supported deep discussions and conversations in the classroom and a deeper understanding of both cultures taught in the program.
Music by Heart’s mission is to strengthen connection and belonging to Jewish life through the transformative power of music. The organization is supported and funded by partners and works in classrooms, homes, and communities across North America.
Founder and CEO Lior Ben-Hur is a performing artist, music composer, and award-winning educator born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel, with a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University in the World Music program, and he currently serves as the Music Director of Yavneh Day School in Los Gatos, CA. In 2013, he won the national Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education for his work integrating music into education. Chief Program Officer Liat Salman has 17 years of experience in formal and informal education with preschoolers, youth, and adults, has directed early childhood programs at multiple Jewish institutions, holds a JECELI Certificate in Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership, and is pursuing a master’s in Innovative Jewish Education at the Hebrew University. Consultant Vicky Kelman focuses on engaging families in shared Jewish experiences, has staffed a family camp for families with special needs kids, facilitated parenting workshops, developed family High Holiday and Shavuot experiences, and received the Covenant Award in 2003. Visual designer Daniel Buckwald studied visual communication with an emphasis on illustration at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem and works as an art director. Board member Ellen Konar has served as a research director and executive at technology firms such as Google, Intel, and IBM, was appointed an Intel Fellow, and held adjunct appointments at Stanford and Berkeley Business Schools. The leadership team also includes Jamie Zimmer (Communications and Engagement), Zvi Weiss (Board Chair), Etai Freedman (Vice President), Diane Tobin (Treasurer), Mindy Berkowitz (Vice President), Rabbi Laurie Hahn Tapper (Board member), Rabbi Jessica Kirschner (Board member), and Dr. Evan Kletter (Board member).
Last updated March 6, 2026.
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