Facing the Music in a Rapidly Changing Industry

With the Three Weeks behind us and music returning to the routine of everyday life, it’s the perfect time to spotlight a voice that’s shaping the sound of the next generation. Dovid Pearlman is a twenty-four-year-old singer, composer and rising name in Jewish music. We had the privilege of sitting down with him for a personal interview. Throughout our conversation, we got to know the voice behind the music. We heard firsthand how Pearlman navigates the shifting eras of the Jewish music industry with humility, creativity and deep faith that Hashem is his “music manager.” 

Pearlman’s journey into music began long before his first single ever hit Spotify. Raised in a home pulsing with harmony and heart, he grew up tagging along to his father’s Shabbatones gigs and singing at Shabbat tables that sounded more like performances than typical family meals. His father Aryeh Pearlman, a pioneer of Jewish a cappella, never pushed him into music, but the inspiration and encouragement were always there. 

At just eight years old, Pearlman joined the Miami Boys Choir, following in the footsteps of both his father and uncle Zavel Pearlman zt”l. While his peers made sleepaway camp memories, he traveled the world performing in South America, Europe and Israel, connecting with global Jewish communities and cultivating his love for the stage. These early experiences planted the seeds of his passion for performance and his appreciation for the diversity of the Jewish world. 

After two years of learning at Yeshivat Mevaseret Zion in Israel, Pearlman returned to the US, already known for music that resonated beyond the studio. His most popular song, “Chaver Sheli,” made its rounds in Jewish sleepaway camps, day camps and schools. And his earliest music video—filmed with friends in “DIY” setups—stood out for showcasing Pearlman’s personality and love for creating Jewish music. 

In an age when artists drop singles every six weeks to maintain attention spans, and streaming platforms yield pennies per play, Pearlman continues to create music rooted in mission, not metrics. 

But what truly sets Pearlman apart isn’t just his voice—it’s his bitachon (trust in Hashem). As the Jewish music scene evolves rapidly, Pearlman remains grounded. In an age when artists drop singles every six weeks to maintain attention spans, and streaming platforms yield pennies per play, Pearlman continues to create music rooted in mission, not metrics. 

He’s honest about the challenges: albums that take years to make can fade from memory in a month; viral success is unpredictable; and the technological shift—from TikTok trends to AI-generated music—is reshaping the soundscape entirely. And yet, Pearlman sees it all as part of a bigger picture. Every concert, every booking, every viral moment, he insists, is “from Hashem.” 

That mindset permeates everything he does—from his wedding performances to his songwriting, from Instagram interviews with chatans and kallahs to slow, heartfelt tracks that speak directly to the neshamah. Even his side career as a social work intern reflects his desire to uplift others, on and off the stage. 

Still, Pearlman is not blind to the industry’s shifts. In our conversation, he spoke candidly about a concern many fans and artists share: the Jewish music world is changing—and not always in ways that feel comfortably Jewish. 

With beats increasingly echoing secular trends and production styles lifted straight from mainstream pop, the line between Jewish inspiration and imitation is getting blurred. “You can hear a song labeled ‘Jewish’ and not recognize it as such unless the words are in Hebrew, ‘” Pearlman says. Heavy bass drops, pop hooks and other trend-chasing elements often drown out the soulful core. And though the lyrics may be Jewish, the vibe often feels indistinguishable from secular radio. 

Yet Pearlman approaches all of this without judgment.  

Pearlman’s music strikes a balance between upbeat, camp-style hits like “Chaver Sheli” and “Achshav” and slower, deeply personal songs, many co-produced with friends and family. One of his most moving pieces is a classic-lullaby rendition of “Hamalach Hagoel,” sung in the Pearlman family tune as a tribute to his late uncle, which is set to drop in the near future. These aren’t just songs; they’re stories wrapped in melody. 

He’s also frank about the pressure to produce. The days of full albums and year-long anticipation are largely gone. Today’s audiences want monthly singles, weekly content and daily viral reels. Pearlman feels that pressure, but he resists it. 

Outside the studio, Pearlman is earning a degree in social work at Wurzweiler School of Social Work, a master’s program of Yeshiva University. He works with elementary school students who know him from his songs, his YouTube music videos and his social media presence. “I ask them how they’re feeling,” Pearlman says, “but they just want to know all about me!”  

These aren’t just songs; they’re stories wrapped in melody. 

Pearlman’s music is deeply personal, shaped by his own family and life journey. He has recorded meaningful tracks with his father and credits a chance performance with him for the moment that led to meeting his wife. Today, she plays a central role in his career, helping him shape his social media presence and his song production. 

Pearlman gave us a sneak peek update on an upcoming song he’s working on. It’s titled “Karov,” and it perfectly reflects the message of staying true to where you come from. It’s a reminder that no matter how far we feel from G-d, He is always close to us, and we can always come back. The message is simple but powerful.  

Music isn’t just for our entertainment—it’s a tool for spiritual connection with our Creator. 

As Pearlman continues to perform on stages across the country (he has performed at Universal Studios CityWalk in California!), working with camps and communities and singing at simchahs, he’s aware of the responsibility he carries. He’s not just making music for millions of streams. He’s making music for meaning and connection that resonates with his listeners.  

In an industry that often rewards going viral and speedy production over true heart and meaning, Dovid Pearlman’s path as an artist in the Jewish space is a refreshing reminder that authenticity, talent and creativity still matter.  

As we press play again on our long-awaited playlists after three weeks of silence, his voice is one worth listening to—not just for the melody but for the core message. 

Rachelly Eisenberger is associate digital editor of Jewish Action. 

Ariella Konigsberg was Jewish Action’s summer 2025 marketing intern.