[HANASHIR:8267] RE: Shabbat Shirah

[JulesCFran <JulesCFran...>]

Shalom Chevra,

This may be a little off track but I wanted to take an opportunity to relate 
how Hava Nashira has and is continuing to make a difference in my community. 
This past Saturday night, I held my annual Shabbat Shirah kumsitz (which ws 
started as a result of Hava Nashira). Last year we had sixty in my home; this 
year we rented the local Unitarian Center and had about 115 adults attend the 
evening.

We did Havdallah, explained the significance of Shabbat Shirah, sang songs 
relevent to the Torah & Haftorah (Thanks to Debbie Friedman's Nachson's Song &
 Devorah), sang various Shabbat melodies (Thanks to Craig Taubman's Friday 
Night Live), sang some songs related to Tu B'Shvat, and sang a mix of 
Israeli, Yiddish & "American" Jewish songs.

The reason for the large increase in attendance is due to a chavurah which 
was started last May. We  hold monthly Kabbalat Shabbat services which use 
musical instruments and foster a sense of spirituality and community. The 
chavurah was started by six families. Our last Friday night service had about 
135 in attendance.
I am sincerely grateful to all who make Hava Nashira what it is - especially 
to the teachers have truly touched our lives and through us, the lives of 
many others.

Jules Frankel
East Brunswick, NJ

PS If you are in the Central New Jersey area on an evening when we are 
gathering, please feel free to join us. Our next services are scheduled for 
3/16 & 4/20.