Getting to Know Dan Ruda: Bassist and Vocalist for The Ruach

Dan Ruda recounts how he became a part The Ruach and what The Ruach community means to him.

Every so often something extraordinary occurs in your life that takes you in a new and unexpected direction.

One Saturday morning 11 years ago, as I did almost every Shabbat during my tenure as president of Temple Israel, I was seated on the bimah next to Murray Ezring, head rabbi of the temple. During the service, Rabbi Ezring leaned over and in softly spoken words described the “Rock Hashanah” alternative service he would be leading that year. Knowing my musical past as a touring rock musician, he asked if I would be interested in joining the other musicians. The idea was intriguing and sparked something that I had deeply buried in my past; however, I was too involved with temple board commitments, so I declined. He accepted my answer, but from his mischievous smile, I knew he would ask again one day.

That day came about a year later when Rabbi Ezring approached me in the social hall after a Saturday morning service. He suggested that since I was now the immediate past president, I should have time to be part of the band for the Rock Hashanah service he would be again leading that year. Throughout the year he had been subtly planting seeds. Occasionally he would mention how wonderful the first Rock Hashanah service was, with more than 200 people attending, an incredible number for a second-day Rosh Hashanah service. And from time to time, he would request my musical input. It was evident he was not going to take no for an answer, so I agreed to come to a band practice to check it out. When I saw what the band was doing, I knew immediately that I had to be a part of it.

Ten years have passed since I became the bass player and a vocalist for The Ruach. Now, The Ruach is an independent nonprofit religious organization. We have grown from being just a band that provided the musical part of Friday night and second-day Rosh Hashanah services to becoming an autonomous community open to all spiritual seekers, free of charge.

The Ruach has developed into being one of the most important pillars of my life. It is inextricably bound up with my identity, not only as a musician but also as a Jew. It helps me define the direction and focus of my energies as part of our Charlotte Jewish community. It has made me a better Jew, feeling more committed, more complete.

As an honorary life president of Temple Israel, I maintain a devotion to the synagogue, and it remains a large part of my life. Simultaneously, I passionately believe in the mission of The Ruach and am fully dedicated to its success. These allegiances had created a certain amount of anxiety. I struggled with the idea that I must choose one over the other. I would ask myself, “Can I truly serve two seemingly similar organizations? Where is my loyalty? Which takes priority?”

After many hours of reflection, meditation, and experience, I have come to understand that I can properly serve both. The Ruach and Temple Israel are not the same. Although they both have similar missions, to promote and advance a fuller and more satisfying Jewish life, unlike the temple, The Ruach is not a membership-driven organization. Therefore, I believe we are not in competition with it or any other of our partner Jewish agencies.

In fact, by creating positive Jewish experiences, I believe that The Ruach enhances the membership of our partner agencies. We invite everyone to come experience Judaism with us and find the same joy of Judaism that so many others have. I am confident that your Jewish life will be invigorated just as mine has been and invite you to allow The Ruach and Rabbi Smookler to enrich your spiritual life.

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The Ruach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to spread the joy of Judaism through The Shabbat Experience and other new Jewish musical experiences that are meant to foster and maintain personal connections as well as to inspire and engage everyone to embrace Judaism and all that it has to offer. The Ruach is supported primarily through voluntary contributions together with a grant from Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte.