A Celebration of Jewish Heritage

Ben Gundersheimer, M.Ed (MISTER G) is a Latin GRAMMY Award-winning artist, author, educator and activist. PJ Library has commissioned to him to write two albums (The Mitzvah Bus and Seeds of Shalom) of original music for Jewish children, which have been distributed to tens of thousands of families around the world.  Ben tours internationally performing at major festivals, performing arts centers and cultural institutions.  In 2020 his book, Lilah Tov, illustrated by Israeli artist, Noar Lee Haggon, will be released by PJ Library and Penguin Random House.  Based on a lullaby from Mister G's Parents' Choice Gold Award winning album, The Mitzvah Bus, the book depicts the journey of a young girl as she leaves home with her family in search of a better life in a new land.

As a first generation American, Ben’s roots run deep. His father was born in Frankfurt and made a harrowing escape from Nazi Germany as a young child. Ben grew up very close to his grandparents who lived to 101 and 97 years of age, instilling a profound sense of history and cultural identity throughout their lives.

The Mitzvah Bus

Originally released through PJ Library in 2015
Recipient of a prestigious Parents' Choice Gold Award, Ben's first collection of Jewish-themed original songs was dedicated to his grandparents, Herman and Freidl Gundersheimer, who emigrated to the US from Germany in 1939. As Ben says, “I wrote my first songs at the age of nine when I started playing the acoustic guitar. My most treasured Bar Mitzvah present was an electric guitar—I’ve been playing it ever since. I’ve made many albums over the years for grown-ups and children, but none have been as much fun to write and record as this one. Engaging musically with my culture and traditions was such an inspiration that I ended up with enough material for two albums.”

Seeds of Shalom

Released through pj library for Hanukkah in 2018
A collection of original songs inspired by the Jewish principle of Bal Tashchit (do not destroy) encouraging children to protect and preserve the natural world. A hallmark of MISTER G’s multicultural songwriting, the album features an eclectic range of musical styles and languages, Spanish, English, Hebrew and Yiddish. “Tikkun Olam (Repair the World)” and “Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can)” inspire kids and families to take action for the environment. “Las Estrellas (The Stars),” “Tu B’Shevat (Birthday of the Trees)” and “Mayim (Agua) celebrate children’s innate sense of wonder and awe for our shared planet.

Select Appearances Include:

The Jewish Museum - NYC
Silicon Valley Jewish Music Festival - Los Gatos, CA
Washington Jewish Music Festival - Washington, DC
Gordon Center for the Performing Arts- Baltimore, MD
JCC of Greater Baltimore - Early Childhood Education Conference
JCC of Greater Columbus - OH
PJ Back to School Concert, Magik Theater - San Antonio, TX
PJ Library Chanukah Concert, Davis Academy - Atlanta, GA
Lander Grinspoon Academy - Northampton, MA
Jewish Day Schools-- Mexico City, Mexico
Rochester JCC - Rochester, NY
Peninsula JCC - Foster City, CA
Dave and Mary Alper JCC - Miami, FL
Mayerson JCC- Cincinnati, OH
Simon Family JCC - Virginia Beach, VA
  • "MISTER G packed the house  for a Purim concert this past spring. Parents and children alike rocked out for a full hour of amazing music and contagious energy; we were engaged and dancing and singing forever... We'd bring them back in a heart beat!"
    Alyssa Russell, Young Family Engagement Manager
    Jewish Federation of Columbus
  • "I had the pleasure of capping off our week of Hanukkah with a concert from MISTER G. They bring so much enthusiasm, energy and love in to their show... It warms my heart to think about all the kids up on stage with them, dancing away and singing along."
    Marisa Phillips, PJ Library Program Professional
    Mayerson JCC, Cincinnati
  • "There was absolutely no better way to kick off the early childhood conference than with a music-driven keynote featuring MISTER G! He energized and invigorated all 280 of our teachers with a dynamic, fast-paced mini-concert and got them on their feet dancing and singing their way into the day"
    Alison Zimbalist, Director, Early Childhood Education Services
    Macks Center for Jewish Education
  • “MISTER G and MISSUS G brought out the best PJ Library concert ever! The power of their music was transformative, and they were able to capture every age in attendance in an awesome way... They were very easy to work with and very professional! So much fun. We are still singing the music here in Texas!”
    Lauren Abraham, Special Program Coordinator
    Jewish Federation of San Antonio
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