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Beyond the Bars-Spiritual insights from prisons and lifeAuthor: Gedalya AKA Folk Rock Rabbi
Gedalya AKA Folk Rock Rabbi, a NYC-based singer-songwriter with music that combines folk-rock melodies with uplifting lyrics and also the director of A New Song USA, a nonprofit that performs concerts for incarcerated individuals speaks about his personal experiences travelling to correctional facilities around the country as well as some of the thoughts, ideas and inspiration behind the songs he writes. Language: en Genres: Music Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Acts of Kindness and Spiritual Growth: My Visit to Haynesville Correctional Center
Episode 4
Sunday, 9 November, 2025
Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting Haynesville Correctional Center in Virginia. The trip was smooth, the weather beautiful — a blessing I always appreciate. Sometimes, it’s the little things, like good weather, that remind us to be grateful for every moment.Upon arrival, I went through the usual security checks. Funny enough, I didn’t realize how much trouble a small Ricola candy could cause! I had one in my pocket to soothe my throat for singing, but it delayed me quite a bit. Lesson learned: no Ricola candies in prisons! Setting up my equipment was surprisingly relaxing. I took my time, tuning the sound, and was pleased with how it turned out. Good sound truly inspires me, and I was happy to share my music with a great group of men.I started with my song A Song is Born, followed by a few guitar pieces including my new song The World is Still the Same. We discussed how the world feels different today, and I opened the floor for questions. The conversation naturally turned to spirituality. Everyone agreed that people are becoming more spiritual, especially those who have time to reflect, like the men in the room.One of the most profound moments was when we talked about acts of kindness. It struck me how central kindness is to positive change. Being givers rather than takers is truly at the root of healing and growth.One man shared how he ran a store and always greeted customers warmly, trying to make them feel good. Another spoke about practicing patience — an act of kindness that requires giving of oneself. A third shared a humorous story about smiling and waving when someone gave him the finger in traffic — a small but powerful act of kindness that brought laughter to the room.After about two hours of music and conversation, the event ended with many blessings and well wishes for a safe trip home and success in spreading my music.If you’re reading this and feel inspired, I encourage you to share a song with a positive message or perform an act of kindness today. Together, our individual actions can make the world a little better.I’m Gedalya, the Folk Rock Rabbi, and I’m on a mission to spread good vibes and stories through music. If you’re in any city I visit, let me know — I’d love to host a home concert and share more experiences.Next stop: State Farm Correctional Center in Virginia. Stay tuned for more stories and songs.
