[HANASHIR:7454] Sharing the Gift

[Marc & Kristin Stern <stern...>]

Friends--

I have been quiet since HN this year, but now I'd like to put in a few 
cents (maybe a bit more) and propose an idea for discussiion.  Please bear 
with me.

First, I'd like to say that we are all Jewish musicians, whatever our 
background, skill level, job title, or job discription.  Some of us are 
professionals, and some, like myself, have other jobs and professions (some 
of you may remember from the HN Beit Cafe that I'm "just a mom").  But I 
would hope that we all do this for the love of the music and the love of 
G-d.  Several years ago some well known professionals started Hava Nashira 
as a way of sharing with and enriching their fellow Jewish musicians.  To 
teach, but not to certify or accredit.  Those of us who have been fortunate 
enough to share in this experience should consider passing this gift on to 
others, rather than using it only to imporve our own abilities and 
knowledge.

What I propose is having one day area workshops, open to anyone interested 
in Jewish music and how it fits into our lives and worship.  After a 
location is chosen, invitations could be sent to JCCs, congregations, and 
day schools within say a 100 mile or so radius.  Those attending could be 
anyone--from Rabbis and Cantors to music directors to teachers to choir 
members to congregants wanting to learn more about our music.  Those of us 
who have attended HN or CAJE should be able to come up with many possible 
themes and/or sessions - singing Jewishly with kids, choosing prayer 
melodies, finding music resources, the 10 (or 25 or 50) songs we all should 
know, 101 L'cha Dodis and how to sing them, etc., etc.  The day could 
include a light meal and general song session.  The options for a day like 
this are endless, and the rewards could be wonderful.  A one day format 
would open the way for people to attend who can't fit several day events 
into their schedules or budgets.

While I'm not able to commit a lot of time right now, I'd be happy to help 
with organizing a day like this.  From my position at the tip of Lake 
Michigan, I could be part of something covering areas from southern 
Wisconsin to northeastern Illinois to northern Indiana to southern 
Michigan, depending on the location of the event itself.

I don't know how practical any of this is, but it may be worth a try. 
 Anyone interested in planning a day in one of the areas I mentioned above, 
please e-mail me privately.  What we receive and experience at HN is truely 
a gift...of music, spirituality, caring, friendship and more.  It is my 
personal feeling that to enhance and broaden the understanding of Jewish 
music we need to share this gift given to us, to be more inclusive rather 
than exclusive.

B'shalom
Kristin Stern
stern (at) netnitco(dot)net
Music Director
Temple Beth-El
Munster, Indiana

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+