"God is Near" is a remarkable collection of uplifting, spiritual music. All songs are original compositions by Tracy Friend and Andrew Dennen, who met several years ago at Hava Nashira, a Jewish music workshop held annually in Wisconsin. They have been collaborating since 2009. Tracy is a singer-songwriter whose music captures the rhythm of the Jewish soul and the melody of the universal yearning for peace. "God is Near" is her third CD, following "When All is Said and Done" (2004) and "We Choose Peace" (2007). Writing inspirational songs based on biblical and liturgical text, Tracy has become a favorite in the Chicago-area Jewish community, performing at the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival regularly. Craig Taubman calls Tracy “a powerful voice in the Jewish community.” Andy has been playing, performing and composing music for over 30 years. For the past decade, he has devoted his creative energies to the world of Jewish music. He leads worship services, playing today's greatest composers as well as the classics, and composing new melodies which bring the ancient words to life. Andy has recorded two other CDs: "Sojourn" (2007) and "Open My Lips" (2008). His music is used in congregations all over the world, from Napa to Nice. The initial reviews on “God is Near” indicate the best is yet to come. In addition to composing and recording, Andy and Tracy provide the music for Kol Shabbat, an alternative Saturday morning worship service at Congregation BJBE in Deerfield, Illinois.