Joel Weiskopf, a jazz pianist, is 49 years old and has performed with jazz legends like Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan and Anita O’Day. For the Criss Cross jazz label, Weiskopf has recorded CDs together with well-respected jazz musicians like John Patitucci or Brian Blade. He believes that his greatest contribution is what he conveys through his music. These are profound personal experiences that he expresses in song, and without the need for words. Weiskopf was raised in DeWitt (a suburb of Syracuse), New York in a Reform Jewish household. His father, Richard, played the classical piano. Adrienne, his mom, loved art and was an avid reader. Joel began piano lessons at the age of five, and trumpet lessons at nine years old. Walt, Joel’s older brother, is a professional jazz pianist who has recorded with him. The Weiskopfs went to synagogue during the High Holidays, and the boys attended Hebrew school. Joel, however was disruptive in class and never received a bar mitzvah. He says that despite this, he believes in God and used prayer. Joel enjoyed holidays like Hanukkah, Passover and other Jewish holidays with his family. He enjoyed playing the trumpet in school bands and sports as a teenager. Joel was 14 when Walt started playing jazz records for Joel. He fell in love Miles Davis’, Chick Corea’s, Chick Evans’, Chick Corea’s and Herbie Hancock’s music, but things were already falling apart. Joel recalls that Joel’s parents divorced when he was twelve. “I blamed God and stopped praying. Walt went to college, and I had to take care of Mom, who was severely depressed. In frustration, I started to smoke marijuana, drink, vandalize, and was arrested for harassing my neighbors at sixteen. One day, I returned from school to discover that Mom had taken her own life. For ten years, I was in shock. Although I believed that Jews were God’s chosen people, I was unable to understand how this could have happened to my family. “My drug use became a habit while in college. While jazz and rock music offered temporary relief, so did occasional girlfriends. However, I was emotionally unavailable for any kind of relationship because my heart had been deeply hurt by the loss of my mother. Weiskopf, who had just graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music was hired by Woody Herman, the legendary leader of the big band. Weiskopf describes, “Traveling and performing every night, I started to feel an inner dissatisfaction about things.” “I started to explore eastern religions, and the New Age. Over the next ten years I read many self-help/metaphysical books, meditated daily, practiced yoga, Tai Chi, consulted psychics and trance-channelers, all in vain. Deuteronomy 28, in the Hebrew Scriptures warns against such occult practices. Weiskopf was gaining many opportunities to perform in New York. His career was growing. After five years of New Age living, Weiskopf began to feel sick. I was diagnosed with an intestinal Candida infection, multiple food allergies, and placed on a strict diet. It was difficult for me to keep to the diet and I found myself eating what I wanted, which made me feel worse. This was a vicious cycle that lasted five years. I spent a lot of money on many doctors to no avail. Friends encouraged him to pray, something he hadn’t done since he was twelve years old. Weiskopf says that praying to God felt good. “I had searched in vain for answers within the New Age. I met others who followed Y’shua (Jesus). I was attracted to their joy and peace. Weiskopf attended Kevin’s New York wedding on September 2, 1995. He recalls, “At the marriage I stayed with a guy called Paul.” In conversation, he mentioned that he was aware of my difficulties with food. He was able to help me after I told him my story. “I listened to what Paul had said.” Paul quickly sent Joel a Bible shortly after. Weiskopf said, “In it, I read that Jesus healed people, but that he also died to save us from our sins and gave us eternal life.” Weiskopf accidentally stumbled into The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in 1996. He said, “It didn’t look like church.” “Nevertheless, I was touched by the love that this multi-racial congregation showed me.” Weiskopf was later invited to New York by a Georgian pastor. He recalls, “I was afraid of going.” The meeting was attended by Weiskopf, who was there on September 2, 1996. It was exactly one year since his first encounter with Jesus at Schroon Lake. He says, “At the meeting, the pastor shared many stories about how Jesus has healed people in body and soul.” “Sometimes their problems were caused by a broken heart, but Y’shua came to ‘heal them’ (Luke 4:18). Weiskopf says that some people offered to pray for him. “As they prayed I thought, Am I a believer that the Bible is God’s Word and that Jesus Christ is God’s Messiah? Yes, I did admit, but I had no choice but to make a decision. “At that point, I gave up my will and life to God and Messiah Yashua. It was like a loving presence from above. I felt filled with joy and peace like nothing I had ever experienced. I reintroduced all foods to my diet and began eating healthy meals. I joined The Brooklyn Tabernacle and began attending Jews for Jesus Bible Studies. Musically, things changed for Weiskopf as well. He says, “Serving, helping, and sharing God’s love with musicians replaced old wants for recognition, praise, and popularity.” This was liberating! Y’shua stated that “If the Son sets your free, you will be indeed free” (John 8;36). There were trials and triumphs. He says that in 1997 I experienced hypoglycemia (low sugar), symptoms I had previously only occasionally. My doctor recommended that I take a glucose tolerance test. This failed because my blood sugar was at an alarmingly low 37. My mother also had reactive hypoglycemia. This is the body’s overactive response to carbohydrates that causes muscle weakness and other symptoms. It requires discipline in food, especially in the area I need it most. It has taught me compassion for others. Weiskopf desires his music to reflect his faith. How can a jazz musician achieve that feat when he plays music without words? He replies, “I believe that the sound of the music can and should convey the meaning of the song. My music should be hopeful, not dark and foreboding. “I wake up every day with joy in the heart, knowing God is there with me.” He says that Messiah Y’shua, who strengthens me, can help me accomplish all things. Weiskopf states that salvation is when one believes that Y’shua is the Lamb God who died for us sins. But, becoming more like Jesus takes time. He said it like other musicians, “It’s getting better, and a little better every day.” from http://jewsforjesus.org
