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American musician and activist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louisa Rachel Solomon is the lead singer of The Shondes, an indie punk band from Brooklyn, NY. Solomon, a rabbi-in-training from Queens,[1] is known for being a Jewish musician who is outspoken about opposing the occupation of Palestine.[2][3][4][5]
Solomon grew up in a Jewish home in upstate New York.[6] She attended the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School in New York City, graduating in 2005.[7][8] Following the September 11 attacks, she was involved in activism against Islamophobia.[7]
As of 2024, Solomon is studying to become a rabbi at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and expects to be ordained when she completes her degree next year.[9][8] Since 2023, she has served as the on-campus student rabbi at The New School.[9][8] In June 2024 it was announced that Solomon was no longer employed by The New School[10]
Vocalist and bassist Solomon formed the band The Shondes with violinist Elijah Oberman in 2006.[6][11][7]
In 2014, Solomon's rejection of Zionism led to cancellation of The Shondes' scheduled performance at a DCJCC event.[12][7] The JCC revoked its sponsorship due to her visit to the West Bank and public support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.[13]
AfterEllen compared Solomon's vocals to Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney.[14] Depth of Field Magazine called her voice "nothing short of breathtaking...giving the impression that she’s speaking directly to each and every individual listener."[15] Performer Magazine's review of The Red Sea praised Solomon's vigorous vocals on the first half of the album, but criticized their monotony as the album progressed.[16]
Solomon self-identifies as queer.[17] She has a tattoo of a Hebrew letter on her wrist,[6][12] and has described herself as "a proud Jew, a committed Jew".[12] She has two children, whom she brought along to an October 2023 rally organized by the group Jewish Voice for Peace, calling for the U.S. government to push for a cease-fire in the Israel–Hamas War.[1]
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