About Joshua Sussman
About Joshua Sussman
Deep, soulful sound
Joshua Sussman is a violinist known for a deep, soulful sound rooted in Jewish tradition. His music reflects years of prayer, study, and lived experience with the melodies. It carries the clarity of the concert hall and the warmth of lived tradition, blending elegance with ruach. People don’t just hear the violin — they feel the moment deepen.
He plays for weddings, simchas, community gatherings, farbrengens, and more where music holds both joy and reverence. His violin has a way of settling a space and deepening it at the same time, allowing celebration and reflection to live side by side. There is a quiet steadiness to his presence that puts people at ease and allows the music to speak without force.
The inner language of Jewish melody. He is especially known for his knowledge of Chabad niggunim and the inner language of Jewish melody, and for sharing these traditions with clarity and warmth. Alongside rigorous classical training, this gives him a rare ability to move naturally between refined repertoire and heartfelt traditional tunes. Whether playing or teaching, his approach is thoughtful, generous, and grounded in a genuine love for the music and the people experiencing it.
Violinist, Musical Background & Lineage
His relationship with the violin began at age five, when he asked to trade piano lessons for an instrument whose sound had already captured him. That early devotion grew into a rigorous classical path. He trained with Helen Kwalwasser, Lee Snyder, Kathy Haid, and Gerardo Ribeiro, earned a degree in Violin Performance at Temple University, and completed an M.A. in Baroque violin and historical musicology at The Hartt School.
Earlier in his career, Joshua recorded across a wide range of musical worlds, from a Naxos release of the music of George Antheil to Chassidic-themed albums such as Ta Shma and Wellsprings by Simcha Kanter, as well as projects in contemporary song and classical improvisation. These experiences shaped the breadth, sensitivity, and musical intelligence he now brings to live Jewish settings.
His years in yeshiva, and the decades since, immersed him deeply in Chabad niggunim and the inner structure of Jewish melody. He devoted himself not only to playing these tunes, but to understanding their history, meaning, and spiritual purpose. The result is a way of playing that feels both elevated and grounded — music that carries the clarity of the concert hall and the warmth of lived tradition.
Teacher & Rabbi
Joshua brings the same presence to learning that he brings to music — grounded, alive, and human.
He teaches classes, seminars, and community programs on Jewish music, holidays, observance, and core texts including Chumash, Rashi, Tanya, Mishna, Talmud, and halacha. Whether exploring the function of niggunim, the melodies of the festivals, or the stories behind Chassidic songs, he weaves Torah, history, and sound into experiences that open both mind and heart.
His gift is translation. Complex ideas become accessible. Ancient texts feel present. Learning becomes something you step into, not just something you receive.
As a rabbi, Joshua teaches a weekly Tanya class and supports individuals as they navigate growth, practice, and meaningful thresholds. He meets people where they are, honoring both their questions and their dignity.
At the heart of this work is a simple intention: to help others feel supported in their Jewish journey and to remind them that depth, beauty, and belonging are already within reach.
Musician
Teacher
Musician