[HANASHIR:7457] RE: Sharing the Gift

[Emily Blank <eblank...>]

I just finished teaching a three Wed night course on "Welcoming the Shabbat 
in Song" (on a volunteer basis).  It was sponsored by the Jewish Study 
Center.  Of course, I am lucky to be located in the Washington DC area 
where there is a Jewish Study Center.  It's director had the idea, took the 
initiative to ask me to teach the course, and provided support.  It might 
be harder in some other geographic areas.

Incidentally, much of the material was either taken from Hava Nashira, or I 
was pointed in the direction of getting it by Hava Nashira.

Emily Blank
(who is not quitting her day job anytime soon)

-----Original Message-----
From:   Marc & Kristin Stern [SMTP:stern (at) netnitco(dot)net]
Sent:   Wednesday, November 22, 2000 12:02 PM
To:     'hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org'
Subject:        [HANASHIR:7454] Sharing the Gift

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


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