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The Year Of Jubilee: A Conversation with Lily Isaacs of the Isaacs

The Isaacs Release Nature’s Symphony in 432

By Justin Gilmore

The Isaacs have been a mainstay in Gospel and Bluegrass music for years. This acclaimed family has captivated audiences with their harmony and musicianship. Most importantly their hearts for God are truly apparent. I recently had the pleasure to talk with matriarch Lily Isaacs about the group’s career and their recent Grammy-nominated album, Nature’s Symphony in 432: A Journey from Pain to Praise.

Gilmore:  Tell me about the formation of the group, the early days.

Isaacs: Well, the Isaacs started with myself and my kids’ father Joe Isaacs, who’s my ex-husband. We started singing in 1971 after we got saved.We had a

Writer Justin Gilmore with Lily Isaacs

band at the time and we performed just on weekends because we had full time jobs. And as time went on and we got busier, we went into full time ministry in 1986.

As our children were teenagers, they showed a lot more interest in music and so as one band member would leave, the kids would take their place. Sonya was the first one, taking up the position of the mandolin and then Ben went on bass, and then Becky went to the guitar. So it wasn’t really a plan, it just happened that way. So today we are an all-family band and we also have a drummer and my grandson Levi, who now plays guitar for us as well.

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A Message From Lily Isaacs of The Isaacs

Nashville, TN (September 29, 2014) To all of our dear friends,

First I’d love to thank everyone for your prayers. The passing of my mother has been very emotional and sad. I know many of you have lost loved ones……parents, spouses, children, good friends and it’s a very lonely feeling because it’s final. Although we do believe in an after life, just the fact that you will never get to hear their voice or hug your loved one ever again here on earth , leaves you with such a void in your heart. Seems like its hard to take a deep breath! I’m so grateful that I got to keep my sweet Yiddish Mamma till age 95 and I was with her when she took her final breath. She truly was a survivor. She was a very strong spirited woman. My entire family is thankful for the legacy she has left behind.

So many of you have asked us about funeral arrangements. Many of you wanted to send flowers and special gifts to honor Mom. I wanted to take this time to explain a little about our beautiful Jewish traditions when we loose someone in death.

Before I get into the explanation I will tell you that we tentatively have the funeral scheduled for Wednesday morning….Oct 1st. Mom passed away on Friday Sept 26th and it is currently in the middle if a very Holy holiday, Rosh Hashanah (9/24-9/26) and Yom Kippur (10 days later) so it is hard to make final arrangements with the Rabbi, especially since Friday night started the Sabbath. We will know more Monday morning.

We have chosen to give Mom a traditional Jewish funeral. Our father had the same and this is what she would want. A Jew must be buried within a day or two of death and we do no embalm the body so it must stay refrigerated until burial. Of course with family far away it’s acceptable to wait until all gather together. The coffin must be a plain pine box and the deceased is clothed in a shroud…..white pure linen called a Tachrichim . The reason is because we are all equal in death and we can’t take anything with us when we leave this world. God judges our merits and deeds ,not our material wealth. Once the casket is lowered into the ground, the final act we do is to shovel dirt on top of it. Basically the family will cover the casket with dirt. The reason for this is the deceased cannot do it for themselves. In a way it also acts as a gesture of love and gives family closure. We never see flowers at a Jewish funeral. Tradition says that flowers are unnecessary and die too quickly. Instead of flowers we place stones on the casket or grave site. There are many speculations about the reason for this custom but the one that makes most sense to me is that stones were the only way a grave was marked before headstone were made. It also leaves a sign that the person had a visitor and they’re not left without being remembered . We will then sit shiva (means 7)…..The mourning period which actually lasts 7 days. Family will rent a garment and gather in the home to receive guests.

This is the way we do it and we plan to put Mom away in this manner. She deserves this honorable final gesture from us.
For those of you who wanted to honor our mother, I’ve thought of a beautiful way do this. This seems like a gesture if love and would carry on our Jewish tradition.

Instead of gifts and flowers we will set up a fund in my mothers name and receive donations to help purchase her a headstone! We cannot put the headstone up for one year at which time we have an ” unveiling “. This way you can be a part of putting a stone on her grave. We can all participate in giving her a loving departure together. We have so many friends far away and we can join together in this gesture.

If you want to do this, you can just make a check out to us…. The Isaacs and put on bottom of the check, for “Faye Fishman Headstone Fund”. When the time comes for the purchase of the headstone we will post a photo and you will all know that you were a part of our mothers home going.

Please remember our family as everyone is trying to get our here in the next day or so.

Send any donations to:

The Isaacs
PO BOX 370
Goodlettsville, TN 37070

Blessings to you all and again thank you for your prayers and support.

With love,

Lily Isaacs

To learn more about the Isaacs got to http://www.theisaacs.com or https://www.facebook.com/TheIsaacs or Twitter at https://twitter.com/IsaacsMusic .

If you are interested in booking the Isaacs go to the Harper Agency at www.harperagency.com or info@harperagency.com .
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About The Isaacs

The Isaacs, a multi-award winning family group who began singing 30 years ago, are based out of Nashville, TN . The vocalists are Lily Isaacs, Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman. Playing their own acoustic instruments and joined by other band members, The Isaacs have a unique style that blends tight, family harmony with contemporary acoustic instrumentation that appeals to a variety of audiences. Their musical influences emerge from all genres of music including bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, and country, contemporary acoustic and southern gospel. Zak Shumate is on percussion and is the only non family member in the group.

Family also just recently sang anthem at Indiana Pacers game and got a standing ovation. They perform frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concert Series and travel throughout the year performing internationally. Concert venues include civic centers, auditoriums, arenas, fair grounds, parks, churches and other locations. They have performed the National Anthem for many sporting events, including a Cincinnati Bengal’s football game, several Nashville Predators Hockey games, an Astros/ Braves pre-season baseball game as well as various political gatherings. They also received a standing ovation for their patriotic performance at Carnegie Hall.

Gospel Music Today For September 29th On SGNScoops.com

Gospel Music Today September 29

Lily Isaacs is the guest on Gospel Music Today for the week of September 28. Ken and Jean Grady host southern gospel news and concert updates. The Feature Group is The Phillips Family, and Jean reviews new recordings by The Coffmans and Tribute Quartet. An article entitled “Front Porch Fellowship”, featuring High Road III is the subject of this week’s Singing News Notes. The show features singing by Tribute Quartet, exclusive video of Declaration, recorded by Gospel Music Today’s cameras at the Southern Gospel Worship Gathering in Broken Arrow, OK, and a visit to the Gospel Music Today Archives for an exclusive concert video of The Dixie Melody Boys at the Creekside Gospel Music Convention, in Pigeon Forge, TN. In the news this week, Jean shares news of Faith’s Journey, the Erwins and the Down East Boys. There is also a Happy Birthday wish to Morgan Easter.

The show is on KWHB TV47 in Oklahoma every Sunday at 4:30 PM, and on Roku on FFE TV Monday at 8:00 PM and AllNations TV Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Check local TV schedule for Beaumont, TX, Tyler, TX. Atlanta, TX, and Morrilton, AR. The current edition of Gospel Music Today is online now at the Gospel Music Today website, www.gospelmusictoday.com

Tune-In Alert – Lily Isaacs On ‘Joni Table Talk’

Nashville, TN (September 19, 2014) Lily Isaacs is set to appear on Daystar TV on the ‘Joni Table Talk’ program September 22nd. Lily is interviewed by Marcus and Joni Lamb about her book titled “You Don’t Cry Out Loud” which encompasses her life and the Holocaust survival of her parents. She also discusses her conversion to Christianity and her Jewish parent’s reaction.

The show airs on Daystar TV at 2AM – 7AM – 8:30 PM EST

To learn more about Lily and all of the Isaacs got to http://www.theisaacs.com or https://www.facebook.com/TheIsaacs or Twitter at https://twitter.com/IsaacsMusic .

If you are interested in booking Lily or the Isaacs go to the Harper Agency at www.harperagency.com or info@harperagency.com .
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About The Isaacs

The Isaacs, a multi-award winning family group who began singing 30 years ago, are based out of Nashville, TN . The vocalists are Lily Isaacs, Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman. Playing their own acoustic instruments and joined by other band members, The Isaacs have a unique style that blends tight, family harmony with contemporary acoustic instrumentation that appeals to a variety of audiences. Their musical influences emerge from all genres of music including bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, and country, contemporary acoustic and southern gospel. Zak Shumate is on percussion and is the only non family member in the group.

Family also just recently sang anthem at Indiana Pacers game and got a standing ovation. They perform frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concert Series and travel throughout the year performing internationally. Concert venues include civic centers, auditoriums, arenas, fair grounds, parks, churches and other locations. They have performed the National Anthem for many sporting events, including a Cincinnati Bengal’s football game, several Nashville Predators Hockey games, an Astros/ Braves pre-season baseball game as well as various political gatherings. They also received a standing ovation for their patriotic performance at Carnegie Hall.

New Leaf Publishing Group and Lily Isaacs Strike Publishing Deal

Nashville, TN – (October 31, 2013) In early October, New Leaf Publishing Group (Green Forest, AR) and Lily Isaacs (matriarch of the popular Dove award-winning gospel group The Isaacs) agreed to a publishing contract. Lily’s autobiography, You Don’t Cry Out Loud, will be available May of 2014 and offers an extremely personal look at her life including: growing up in a Jewish family, surviving breast cancer, and overcoming relationship struggles.

A talented daughter of Holocaust survivors, Lily Isaacs is a woman who has felt pain, loss, and the incomparable joy of a life with Jesus Christ. Co-founder and current member of The Isaacs whose 35-year career includes performances at the Grand Ole Opry, Gaither Homecoming Concerts, and more- Lily has experienced incredible highs and very deep lows.

Above all, Lily’s steady refrain has been one of God’s constant love, comfort, and strength. New Leaf Publishing Group is honored to partner with such an influential Christian voice. Her story is sure to touch lives and encourage anyone who may be experiencing their own valleys.

Best-selling author and speaker Andy Andrews is authoring the foreword to the book, which makes for an exciting addition and stellar combination. Since 1975 New Leaf Publishing Group has been dedicated to ink on paper touching eternity. You Don’t Cry Out Loud will be a beautiful addition to the company’s mission and goal- reaching the lost for Christ.

For more information about Lily or the Isaacs go to http://www.theisaacs.com orhttps://www.facebook.com/TheIsaacs .

For Booking contact The Harper Agency at info@harperagency – 615-851-4500 .

For more information about New Leaf Publishing Group contact katie@newleafpress.net .

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About The Isaacs
The Isaacs, a multi-award winning family group who began singing 30 years ago, are based out of Nashville, TN . The vocalists are Lily Isaacs, Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman. Playing their own acoustic instruments and joined by other band members, The Isaacs have a unique style that blends tight, family harmony with contemporary acoustic instrumentation that appeals to a variety of audiences. Their musical influences emerge from all genres of music including bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, and country, contemporary acoustic and southern gospel. They perform frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos and Concert Series and travel throughout the year performing internationally. Concert venues include civic centers, auditoriums, arenas, fair grounds, parks, churches and other locations. They have performed the National Anthem for many sporting events, including a Cincinnati Bengal’s football game, several Nashville Predators Hockey games, an Astros/ Braves pre-season baseball game as well as various political gatherings. They also received a standing ovation for their patriotic performance at Carnegie Hall.

The Isaacs Launch New Website

Nashville, TN (August 15, 2013)Along with the release of their new CD “The Living Years” and DVD  “The Isaacs Up Close & Personal” multi-award winning family, The Isaacs  have launched a new website where it is easier than ever to order their music and merchandise. You can also keep up with their touring schedule, latest photos, links and more.

You can find more information on the Isaacs at www.theisaacs.com or www.facebook.com/TheIsaacs .

To contact the Isaacs E-mail them at info@theisaacs.com

To book the Isaacs contact info@harperagency.com