People sometimes say, “Music is my religion,” or that “Music is the language of the Divine.” Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, of blessed memory, have often been called prophets or philosophers, and countless people once called Grateful Dead shows their church (or shul).

Join Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh for an intoxicating night of conversation and music with Rabbi Steve Schwartz and local musician Cris Jacobs. Rabbi Schwartz and Jacobs will take the bimah to discuss themes of spiritual identity, lyrics as sacred text, and the ways in which inherited wisdom can accompany a person throughout the many trials and tribulations of their lives.

There will be stories shared, reflections of tours and memories over the decades, readings of favorite Dead lyrics and plenty of renditions of the speakers’ favorite tunes.

Rabbi Schwartz is the senior spiritual leader of Pikesville’s Beth El Congregation and a longtime fan of the Dead. So is Cris Jacobs, a popular local singer-songwriter known for his work with his former band, The Bridge. Named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know” in 2017, Jacobs has collaborated with the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh (who passed away in 2024) and Dumpstaphunk’s Ivan Neville, and earned opening slots on tours with Sturgill Simpson and Steve Winwood.

Join Third Space for this special event and remember that the first days are the hardest days, don’t you worry anymore.