🎙️ Episode 16: “From Brooklyn Nurse to Global Stage” with Jewish singing sensation Bracha Jaffe

This week on Jewish Grit, we sit down with Braha Jaffy, a global music superstar who travels all over the world singing in front of woman-only audiences. Before there was a stage, there was scrubs. She started her career as a nurse practitioner. She soon pivoted her career into her passion, mesmerizing audiences all over the world. Listen this week on Jewish Grit. [music] Thank you, Braha, so much for sitting down with us today. >> Thank you for having me. >> Can you tell us a little bit about your life, where you come from, what you do professionally? >> I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Uh my parents are Israeli raised and then they came back to New York with my two brothers and I was born in Brooklyn. Um so um Israeli family. Um I went to yeshiva growing up an all girls yeshiva and then I went on my school was you know pro going for a gap year in Israel and after my gap year I went to college. My parents were very bit big advocates for me to become a professional of some sorts and I went my dream was always to become a nurse and so I went into my nursing education and then I went on later on in life after I practiced as a nurse to get my master's degree as a nurse practitioner. Singing was always a hobby of mine. It started at a very young age. Um my parents realized that I had an interest in music and so I started with piano lessons from 5 years old and then I went on to wanting to sing. So auditioning for all girls choirs um in the religious world. My first introduction to um an amazing female Orthodox singer was a woman by the name of Maki Giner and I was in awe and inspired by her amazing voice and ability to connect to people on stage and in person and I decided that I wanted to do the same. So I went on to training with her vocally and then everything sort of went on from there. I started training with her, singing with her, performing with her in her choir, then solo. Um, and then as I got older, I started training with different vocal coaches um, around the world. My musical interest only kept growing and my desire was very strong. So, I started recording in studios. Um, and not just was I performing with her, but I also was being asked and invited to perform solo from a very young age, from like 16 years old. Um and so it just kept on going. I then started to teach also in my like young adult years. In the beginning it was just like music theory and also um some vocal coaching. And then as I got better and more experienced as a singer and understanding my voice and training under top vocal coaches around the world both on um video and in person going into the city like it was a real very big passion of mine. That's when I started to learn how to become a vocal coach and train others. >> So, it sounds like there's like this duality in you, right? There's like this very almost like type A like medical like path that you are on, right? >> And then there's this like whole creative side of you. How do you combine both of those within your career path? >> So, as I got older, I started to realize there is a duality, but there's a very common thread. as um a teenager when we were like given career advice and we were meeting with our like college um adviserss in school and I decided that I wanted to go into a nursing career. I realized the reason for that was because I had a a deep desire to care for people and to give to people and nursing essentially is like holistic care. Like you're caring for someone mind, body and soul. Um and so it is a medical path and it is a medical career but there's something deeper to it. And then music specifically is his mind, body and soul. So it's something that you lose yourself, you enjoy yourself physically like your ears are drowning in amazingness and um you can dance and let go and you know shuttle barriers and that physical enjoyment also can lead to deep spiritual connection. It leads to so much greater spiritual and connection to yourself, to the people around you, and to God that there is so much of like a holistic idea for music as well. So, I learned as I got older that there's something very connected even though there was a duality. So, when did you know that you wanted to go more into music? >> My parents encouraged me to um have hobbies and to pursue them and to enjoy them. My my sibling closest in age to me was 9 years older than me, so they wanted to keep me busy in a healthy way. Um, and so I did I took like, you know, art classes and music classes and dance classes. I was very in the arts and they loved it. They loved that. I loved my I loved doing it and they were they were proud of me and I always saw their pride. But like I almost like that was really the hobby. It was not the the the path. And it's funny because my teacher, my first teacher, Mali Giner, did tell me specifically that she's like she really felt like this is a career path that I could pursue music. and I just like thought she was hilarious, like you're so funny. Um, and she was like, "I'm telling you, I really think this is your career." And and she like took a step back and didn't force it onto me, but she very much encouraged that like this would be something that would carry me through in my life. It wasn't so common when I was growing up for girls to really pursue careers in arts. I don't know that they were against it, but I don't think they saw it as a real professional path. And I in my mind, it wasn't. It was just my side gig. Like, it was a fun side gig. And um and then I was getting called for some great opportunities, you know, with amazing organizations, global organizations. I was recording some amazing music. I was filming music videos for organizations. At the time, there wasn't social media yet, so it was all um word of mouth. It was it was a fun ride to be on because it was like every door that opened was unexpected [snorts] and exciting. Um and the doors kept opening like I I just kept doing what I loved and being passionate about it and the opportunities um really I would pursue opportunities but they would also come to me because I I you pursue things that you love and then when people see that you do something with love and care and you do it well then they're also going to to call you. So um so that's what was happening. Um, I was getting called and it was it started to become this like juggle like, oh, could I I'm I'm doing nursing shifts three, four times a week in a hospital. um could I also do a gig that week or can I take a day off from nursing? And so it became taking a day off, taking two days off, finding a job that the doctor would say to me, it's okay to take a week off here or there because you're traveling to Europe or to Israel or to Australia to going to, "Oh my gosh, I need to take the whole summer off. I'm so sorry, doctor. I will be back in September." Which ultimately led to um I can't come back to work. But that was over the course of a decade. That's what happened. Like it just it started to build in a way that I realized I was like hold on I have I have all my eggs in one basket but you know like now the eggs are dividing up. And then someone in my musical um career actually my producer Shai Bakar who I kept telling I kept saying I can't just do music like I need to keep my nursing career because it's a huge factor of support for me. You won't know if you could survive unless you jump into the water into the deep water you know and you have nothing else to hold on to but you have to swim. And so I just remember I remember I was I had my I already had five kids. Um and I remember saying, "Okay, I'm gonna just, you know, take the chance on myself and completely leave my amazing career that I built for myself that I went to my to nursing school. I went to a master's program as an as a nurse practitioner. Um I had a full resume and I was like, I'm going to put that on hold and I'm going to see if I can do this." And I did. So going in and jumping into that deep deep end knowing that you have a family to support and yeah and people are relying on you. So what what do you have to go through mentally and physically to get yourself to that next level and to you know what to fulfill the vision that you see in your head. >> Right. >> Right. Because there's a lot of naysayers that are out there. >> Yeah. You know obviously I'm a huge believer. I'm an observant Jew and um as girls and women, we are raised to have real belief and faith in God. So sometimes you feel like you need to create every single step of your path. And we're we are taught and I don't think we always realize this, we are taught that we have a superpower. And our superpower is is we are able to surrender to God. And it's it's the most comforting feeling. It's like really understanding that your everyday existence that you there's someone present in your life that's holding you and hugging you. So no matter and this is like a daily practice of mine like there's no matter where I go is is there. And so it was a huge leap of faith but with that there was that calm feeling of I'm surrendering to you God like you have showed me countless times that this is not just a hobby. This is not just something that I like to do. This is something that I'm good at that inspires people. >> What's it like to stand on stage in front of like, you know, hundreds, right? Even thousands, thousands of women >> um and girls and like and seeing the impact of what you're doing on stage like what does it feel like? >> It's an incredible feeling. So, it's like this amazing adrenaline feeling and it's all inspiring. And in the beginning it was like I'm singing songs that people that people loved and knew and it was like this like we're all singing these amazing songs together and we're elevated beautiful connecting feeling united feeling in the room. Um and it that that feeling that you have in that room carries you forward. And then now I started, you know, in the last few years releasing my own original music. And then we go into concerts and everyone's singing um the songs that I released together. And it's just like, oh my gosh, wow. This is like messages that I was supposed to carry into this world that you were supposed to hear, that were supposed to come from me. messages that are meaningful, that are elevating, that um connect you to your roots and connect you to your people and connect you to your to your mission and empower you. And here we're all singing it together and I'm like, I cannot believe that I am that I am that vessel that is carrying this forward into the world. And it's it's an amazing, invigorating feeling. I'm honored to be able to do it. The impact that you have on the next generation of Jewish girls is just >> I get these videos of little girls in the audience, like tiny three, four year olds. I get I just lit before I walked in the store, I just got a video um not a video, a voice note from a teacher who was singing one of my songs with her class and she's like, I had to send this to you because it's adorable. And I'm like, I can't believe they're singing that. You know, as somebody who had a hobby that turned it into a business, right? I can understand the pressure that comes with having to create but from a place of like wanting and then you have to. So, how has that kind of like impacted the way you create? Because now there's pressure behind it. There's deadlines behind it. So, what is your relationship to your creativity? um like you have to write a song and you have a deadline because it has to go out and so what does that look like? >> Right? So that was actually one of my biggest fears when I took that leap of faith and like said I was going to do this. I was like oh my gosh it's not going to just be a hobby anymore. Like it used to be like I would decide how many jobs I wanted to take and if it worked for me and if I could make the deadline and if it fit into my schedule and now it's like I take these jobs and I need to I need to create and we need to do and yeah so sometimes that does take a toll there. I I felt moments of burnout um where I'm just like I don't want to sing right now. >> What do you do to get yourself over burnout, right? How do you get yourself back into that creative flow? >> Firstly, I do very much feel that um we eb and flow as people in general. And so it's healthy. So I find that when I embrace it and when I allow myself to feel what I'm feeling and even if I have a deadline, so even if it's like, you know, I I I don't I don't know what to do right now. I have a block. I'm not in the mood. I'm not feeling motivated. You know, as women especially, we go through so many like ups and downs in our in our day, in our month, in our year. Our seasons are constantly changing. It's not just like quarterly. [laughter] And so, um, and so you have to allow yourself to eb and flow and you have to allow yourself to feel, um, those changes and embrace them. And and even if I take a brief moment to embrace what I'm feeling and to say it's okay that I'm feeling this way, I end up being able and I'm al also learning this about myself really now as I'm getting older, channel those feelings into my craft because artistry is is all about vulnerability. Yeah. And it's all about sharing what you what you feel inside. And that's what people connect to. the more vulnerable you are, the more you lay it out there, the the more you open yourself up, um the more people are connected and pulled in >> and inspired >> and Exactly. >> and inspired by what you're doing and what you're offering >> and they relate. Yeah. >> Um and Yeah. Exactly. So, I just I've I've learned and I'm learning to not not to power through. I think that that is a huge mistake when people say power through cuz we're human and our feelings are valid and you are entitled to to take a moment to say I need 10 minutes to go into my room and breathe and reconnect with myself or even if it's a moment in the room to close your eyes and focus yourself and that and that's and that's what I do. So, so Brook, I have a question for you because you you mostly market or your demographic is really Orthodox Jewish women. Yeah. >> So, >> it's growing though. I'm seeing the reach. It's changing. Yeah. It's amazing to see the expansion. >> So, let's talk a little bit about marketing. How do you get your name out there? How do people find you? >> Um, and what do you do? >> Yeah. the the marketing um tool that has been the most useful has been social media, your documentary of your day-to-day, of your ins and outs, of your accomplishments, your [snorts] you know what's what your you know it's your vlog, it's everything. Um and so um and so social media was a huge um healthy tool for me once I was able to clear all those questions I had and get into it. It was a huge tool that I saw change the trajectory. So, it went from flying to Israel maybe once a year um and doing local events scattered maybe in Florida and New Jersey and to oh my gosh, I'm being called to Vienna, California, London, Antworp, um Switzerland, South Africa, um >> you you mentioned your mentor. You mentioned going to rabbis asking questions. How important is mentorship to you and how have you used it throughout your career? >> Right. I think in every part of in every aspect of life, whether you are a practicing Jewish person or whether [snorts] you're, you know, um you're just doing what you do, having a mentor, having someone that you could check in with that you respect, admire, um gives you real feedback, gives you honest feedback is um is so crucial. >> So, speaking about mentorship and guidance, can you give um can you give some advice um to >> someone who is looking to grow in their creativity? uh possibly going into a career um turning that into a hobby, maybe somebody who's pivoting from one thing to another. Um what piece of advice would you give? >> First thing I want to say to people is that when you close your eyes and you picture yourself and where you want to be, think of yourself watching yourself on a TV screen in in a year, in five years, what what do you see yourself doing? And it could be the craziest thing that pops in your mind. I don't know, you know, like what? For me, it's for me it's singing in front of thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands, tens of thousands of women, okay? And once you could give yourself an honest answer, as crazy it might seem to you, okay, start envisioning yourself in that role, remember that God gave you a gift and a talent. Really, I He does not give handouts for free. It's not so that it gets shelved in the back and dusty. It's that it actually gets used. Okay? So remember that nothing nothing was given to you because he just wants you to waste it. He you have to use it. So then once you see what you want to do and you can envision um some steps moving there start living that life with love with ambition with compassion to yourself and to others um with respect and dignity and I'm telling you it will pan out. Braha, what makes you so proud to be a Jew? >> Okay, firstly, I just want to say we're part of like the best family in the world. Like, it's not just like your immediate family. Like, you legit have, and I've seen this firsthand, an incredible family that is comprised of millions of people. When you need someone, your Jewish family will show up. It's such a privilege and I'm so proud that I have like a handbook in life that I could refer to um and lean on and it supports me and it holds me and then I have this like and like I said I have this like this this family that does it with me and I could you know talk to my my friends, my mentors and and live my life in like on a path that feels true you know and feels um purposeful and Um, and that's just our having purpose in life is what keeps you going. So, it's just it's amazing. >> Bro, thank you so much for joining today. >> Thank you so much for having me. >> Thank you for listening to Jewish Grit, an Oly mentorship podcast. At OM mentorship, we believe that everyone needs a mentor. What better way is there to tap into [music] your personal and professional potential than with a Jewish mentor at your side? Learn more at olami.org/metorship. Don't forget to keep listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.