Getting to Know Nancy Good of The Ruach

“Don’t do something simply because you’re good at it; do it because you’re passionate about it.” This adage perfectly describes my journey with The Ruach. Music and performing have always been my passions; a deep connection to Judaism followed.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I was an eager performer. I began guitar lessons at eight and acting lessons when I was 13. Shortly after, I began performing in a local theater group. Acting was going to be my profession — when I was 18. What followed were years of successes and struggles. It was a typical Los Angeles actor’s life.

In Los Angeles I was immersed in the rock scene, getting to know and hang out with many of the stars of that era. Joan Jett was a close friend, and I almost became the bass player of an all-female rock band.

In 2000, my husband, two preschoolers, and I moved to Charlotte where we became involved at Temple Israel. I still acted in a few commercials, but when my younger son decided to take guitar lessons at 13, things really changed for me. Bored with my half hour waiting around the music store, I engaged another teacher for refresher lessons. Over the years, my guitar had spent more time in a closet than in my hands. (Blame my kids, who as toddlers found the guitar’s sound hole a perfect place for depositing their blocks.) My guitar teacher encouraged me to start “playing out,” and I soon found myself playing open mic nights and starting a trio called “We’re Not Jane.”

said, “Great! Do you know Peter Levinson and his daughter, Jill? She is a good singer, and Peter plays guitar. I would like the three of you to play for the service.”

Soon after, I met with Rabbi Faith Cantor at Temple Israel who had heard about my musical ventures and asked whether I would lead a family High Holiday Service. As I was playing guitar in her office, Rabbi Ezring walked in and asked if I would be interested in playing for a Saturday morning Kavanah service he was planning. He said it would be held in the temple’s board room. He expected about 15 to 20 people would attend. I said that sounded interesting. He

I said that I did not know Peter or his daughter but that I could play with them for the service. Then I told Rabbi Ezring that my son, Josh, played drums and would like him to join us. He loved the idea.

The Kavanah service was attended by more than 50 people. Standing room only. The seeds of The Ruach were sown.

Shortly after this I began a dual career as “Miss Nancy,” playing and singing for the children of The Charlotte Jewish Day School, Camp Katan, The Charlotte Jewish Preschool, Temple Israel, and Temple Israel Religious School along with being a singer and guitarist for The Ruach.

It was a wonderful way to stay involved at the temple after my children had been Bar Mitzvahed. At first I was conflicted about my double life, as I was still playing in bars and wasn’t sure how that looked to my Conservative Jewish audience. Eventually, playing solo in bars gave way to playing with The Ruach in bars to a more diverse audience with various levels of observance.

With the encouragement and support of what was soon becoming “The Ruach Community,” I began feeling more comfortable as a Jewish musical artist and more committed to my observance of Judaism. Rather than feeling on the fringe, I felt embraced and uplifted. Having a spiritual leader like Rabbi Rachel Smookler has made the experience even more meaningful.

In the 11 years I have been a part of The Ruach, I’ve discovered that observance has many degrees and many variants of expression. What seemed edgy and unconventional for me now feels natural. My spiritual connection to G-d and the people who surround me is strong and uniquely my own. The Ruach has played in synagogues, churches, hotels, bars, barbecues, and ballrooms — and don’t forget The Fillmore at The NC Music Factory where we had our largest live gathering for Rosh Hashanah in 2019! What unites us in all those venues is “us,” a community of people brought together by a common desire to connect with each other and with a higher power. I feel extremely fortunate, proud, and blessed to be able to share my passion with The Ruach Community.