By Jesse Solomon
Behind the boards, below the cameras, and in recovery sits Max Hahn, the Sound Manager of Beit T’Shuvah’s Music Department. Without him, cantors would have to scream, rabbis would pray in silence, and Laura’s keyboard would be nothing more than black and white buttons. Along with running the technical side of services, Max manages the Beit T’Shuvah Studio. With years of audio engineering under his belt, he is the perfect man for the job.
Like many of us, Max’s road to recovery was paved with troubles. Despite a normal upbringing in a nice family of Los Angeles Jews, once he left home for college he began a steep mental decline. His drinking got worse until he found himself in New York City, working as the assistant for a DJ. This was the alcoholic rise that was building him up for a fall into rock bottom.
After going into a deep psychosis, having a few run-ins with the law, and working his way in and out of psych wards, Max found himself at the end of his rope. Everything held dear was fading into oblivion. His family had distanced themselves from him, his future had dimmed, and his greatest passion, music, seemed like nothing more than a blasé maladroitness. The colorful life he was promised had quickly desaturated into a grey nightmare. He knew it was time to ask for help.
Beit T’Shuvah welcomed Max with open arms. It gave him everything he needed—a sober network, a home, and a music studio. At the time, there was only one small practice studio and a dream. Max saw that dream into what it is today. After getting hired by the music department by his late mentor Glenn Goss, he helped build Beit T’Shuvah’s state of the art recording studio, Lake Street Studios. Now, Max spends everyday doing what he loves. Not only has this given him purpose, but it has helped him give purpose to others. Max spends a great deal of his time helping talented residents record music for the very first time. He loves watching someone who has never recorded themselves walk out of the studio with something tangible.
As Max put together sober time, he knew something was still missing. Ever since he was 16 and started making music, he held one thing back. Max always hid himself behind the boards and never let himself step into the spotlight. Recently, that has all changed. Under the name Projector, Max has released a handful of singles to wide success. So far, his music has been streamed half a million times in 78 countries. This was a clear sign to him that he had to keep letting himself live in his ultimate dream. His debut EP, Premiere, is being released on all platforms soon and he could not be more excited for it. From making his dreams a reality to making shabbat a success, Max is at no shortage of talent and drive. We cannot wait to see where he goes from here.
Follow Max and listen to his music here: