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Chanale is a Jewish singer for the feminine, abiding by the orthodox law of modesty and performing only for women and girls.

With two albums to her credit, Chanale performed before a small, intimate audience Sunday at the J.J. and Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center, treating her listeners to an evening of inspirational, tender and at times upbeat contemporary songs that reflect her profound religious convictions.

The 24-year-old Chanale (pronounced Han-a-la) is "a one-woman show" as she writes, sings, plays guitar and piano, records and promotes herself. She lives in New York City and has traveled across the United States and Canada performing in over 300 shows. This was her first visit to Salt Lake City, and it came at the invitation of Sharonne Zippel of Bais Menachem, a Chabad Lubavitch congregation in Salt Lake City.

Her set began with the title track from her 2004 CD, "The Crown of Creation." Rich, lilting vocals were paired by the acoustic warmth of her guitar. A backtrack provided an infectious beat that accompanied her throughout the evening's performance.

"A lot of my songs are geared directly to women and their importance in family life and what they can give to the religious community," said Chanale in a Feb. 3 telephone interview from New York City. She sings, she said, " about the responsibility of Jewish values . . . and connections to God and prayer."

Indeed, she has dedicated several songs to her mother, "a wise woman," she exclaimed. "It's true, behind every man is the woman."

Chanale sang "It's All My Mother," with the lyrics "I spread my wings to fly, It's from her hands that I take flight, Like a bird with new wings."

"My Mother's Shabbos," a recording originally done by The Barry Sisters, depicts a mother's Shabbos candles that are faithfully lit each Friday night.

Chanale cleverly intersperses Hebrew words with English on "Watching Over Me." Or not, as in "Horaini Hashem."

The song, "No Matter Where You Roam" is based on a true story about a "wild child of the '70s -- a long-haired, leather-wearing motorcyclist" turned rabbi who was searching for a place to belong and found solace at a Chabad house. Chanale tracked down the author for permission to add a few words and to record.

She said that growing up in Miami Beach, her home was always filled with Hasidic music, best characterized as a big band sound.

"It's upbeat and exciting and inspirational, using horns and strings," Chanale said. She fuses that sound in several songs such as "Shabbos Queen" about her mother lighting the Shabbat candles.

Chanale weaves personal narrative before delving into song. "I Daven" (which means, "I Pray") was a beautiful, reverent song about "prayers of our soul and having faith . . . that our prayers are heard and answered."

Had it not been for Chanale walking into a music store six years ago and buying a two-track analog recorder instead of a harmonica, listeners might not be entranced by her music today.

Soon she was upgrading her equipment, playing and recording her music and giving copies to friends. They in turn gave copies to their friends. Her mother and sisters became her critics.

"I received encouragement by people to go bigger," Chanale said.

Her CDs Believer and The Crown of Creation are available at http://www.jewishstore.

com.