Jimi Hendrix called his concerts an “Electric Church”.  In an interview on the Dick Cavett show in the late 60’s Hendrix was asked to explain what he meant by that. He said, “Well its a belief I have…we’re playing for our sound to go inside the soul of the people and see if we can awaken somekind of vein in their minds”.

Jimi Hendrix actually spoke a lot about how Music is a relgion for him. “Music is more spiritual than anything. People will have to rely on music to get some peace of mind…direction actually.” Often describing how his concerts and being on stage are a religious, even transcendental experience for him. But to most people when thinking about religious people, Jimi Hendrix is not someone who comes to mind.

In talking about religion in general and what people are looking for in his music he said, “Today what people are looking for, they’re not going to get it by going to Church. I was thrown out of Church. I came in wearing Tennis shoes so they threw me out. Today Church is an institution.” This could be said about a lot of Jewish places as well, that its become an institution. If people are looking for something, they won’t get it by coming to Synagogue either.

For someone who considers religion in one way to be instituionalized and in another way to be who he is essentially would seem like a contradiction. But rather, Hendrix took the essence of religious experience and played it on his electric guitar.  He removed the institutional format in order to generate a truer “expereince”. “We don’t preach, but every song is a sermon; every song is a philosophy. We should be like the Evangalists.” Hendrix was quoted in a 1969 interview with Nany Carter.

We are living in a very unique time and generation. People today question what religion is, what Judaism is and if at all its relevant to their lives. People question the point of going to Syangogue, the point of even belonging to a Synagogue. People question and are looking for “experience” rather than just doing what the previous generations have done. My sense though, is that people are questioning without finding the answers they’re looking for.

Although I am a Rabbi of a Synagogue, I see myself more like everyone else: looking for experience. What brought me to where I am was asking myself the same question as on Jimi Hendrix’s album, “Are you experienced?”.  I am looking to generate experience, understanding, creativity and to relate to the questions of our generation while I’m in Halifax. So I invite everyone and anyone in the Maritimes who’s reading this to give me a call or email me whats on your mind. The worst thing that could happen is that we could listen to some Jimi Hendrix. And if thats not your thing, I also listen to less religious music.

Wishing everyone a Happy Pesach,

Ari Sherbill

(This Article appeared in the Shalom Magazine of the Atlantic Jewish Counsel)