April 17 - 19, 2026

Congregation B’nai Jacob
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Artist in Residence Program presents:
JACOB’S LADDER

Jacob’s Ladder is an American band whose soulful Jewish music blends tradition, heart, and contemporary bluegrass music. Their performances are powerful and joyful and will help to deepen spiritual engagement, strengthen community connections, and highlight Jewish music and learning.

About the Program

Across an inspiring Shabbat and Sunday experience, we will pray, learn, sing, and connect together—across generations and backgrounds. From uplifting Shabbat services and a musical Havdalah, this weekend invites everyone to experience Jewish life through the transformative power of music. Whether you come for prayer, learning, community, or simply to listen and sing, there is a place for you.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 - Friday Night services and refreshments - Jacob’s Ladder musical Friday night service.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 - Saturday Morning traditional Shabbat morning service with a member of Jacob’s Ladder band, Ariel Wyner, followed by a luncheon.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 - Saturday Evening brief service followed by refreshments and the Jacob’s Ladder band concert with audience participation.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19 - Sunday Morning KIDS Musical Program with the Jacob’s Ladder band, including performances and storytelling about the Jewish Journey and refreshments.

The music from Jacob’s Ladder Artist in Residence Program will lift our prayers and strengthen our community.

ABOUT JACOB’S LADDER BAND

Jacob's Ladder is an internationally touring band pushing the boundaries of contemporary Jewish music and traditional American Roots music through Jewish communal singing and prayer. In melding these two musical worlds, they tell their story through Eastern European Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jewish traditions, but also through their American heritage and its influence on their unique musical style.

Their early inspirations were drawn from bluegrass icons such as Tony Rice, The Bluegrass Album Band, and Bill Monroe, as well as original “Jewgrass” musicians from the 70’s and 80’s, including Andy Statman, David Grisman, and Stacy Phillips.

Jacob's Ladder is rooted in the traditional liturgy that one might find in an Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Traditional Jewish setting. They believe that Jewish liturgical music can expand beyond traditional melodies while maintaining its essence in a traditional prayer structure. Additionally, they believe in the power of these prayers to have meaning and purpose outside of a prayer setting. These age-old lyrics are at the heart of what makes up their music, and have been at the forefront of our Jewish story for centuries. 

​​Ariel Wyner is a composer, arranger, producer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and co-founder and band leader of Jacob's Ladder. His musical works have pushed the boundaries of Jewish music, bluegrass, folk, rock and American roots music, all stemming from his strong foundation of classical training. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music for Contemporary Writing and Production. 

Sofía Chiarandini is a music educator and performer, fiddling and singing through the styles of traditional American and Jewish music. Currently performing with Jacob’s Ladder (Jewish bluegrass), Sofía has appeared at concerts, residencies, and festivals across the US and Canada. She was the recipient of the Freshgrass Fiddle Award in 2021 and Fletcher Bright award in 2018.  Sofía graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in ethnomusicology, focusing her studies on American and Jewish musical traditions.

​G Rockwell is a banjoist, guitarist, mandolinist, vocalist and composer.  G brings a progressive edge to his American Roots music, fusing his bluegrass background with influences of bebop, gypsy jazz and swing.

​Performing and competing on stages around the country, G has won numerous awards for his banjo and guitar playing. G graduated as a student at the New England Conservatory of Music in 2024, where he studied Contemporary Improvisation.

ABOUT CONGREGATION B’NAI JACOB

Congregation B’nai Jacob is located at Starr and Manavon streets in Phoenixville and includes families from Chester and Montgomery counties. For more than 110 years, Congregation B’nai Jacob has welcomed and connected diverse individuals into a warm and inclusive congregation. Congregation B’nai Jacob is a vibrant synagogue dedicated to sustaining a strong Jewish community, and fulfilling our members’ spiritual, social and educational needs, encouraging the principles of Conservative Judaism and championing social action. Our religious school extends from K through 7th grade and makes a special effort to accommodate children with different learning styles and diverse family and cultural backgrounds.

For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the CBJ Office:
admin@congbj.org or (610) 933-5550.