[HANASHIR:9241] Hava Nashira

[Judy Ginsburgh <judy...>]

I am still trying to come back to the real world after being a part of another 
wonderful Hava Nashira.  Each one is different and each one special in their 
own way.  The staff was truly amazing this year -- always there, always taking 
care of us.  More visable than ever.  Thanks!  

The faculty was really a team and seemed more organized than ever before.  
Services and sessions were as seamless as I ever remember them.  And I will 
second the statement that Dan Nichols was a terrific addition.  He has such a 
warm and giving presence and his music easily held its own with the veterans.  
He introduced many to his music including "B'tzelem Elohim", "L'takein" 
(otherwise known as the na na song - an infectious melody you can never get out 
of your head), and a wonderfully clever and fun 3 part "Or Zarua".  Thanks, 
Dan.  Your were a breath of fresh air.  

The entire faculty gave 110%.  They really worked hard this year and had varied 
responsibilities which kept them all very busy.  Thanks!

So here is a DETAILED description of the schedule:

The typical schedule was much changed from the past two years I have attended.  
We began on Wednesday afternoon with a Makelah (choir) rehearsal.  We were 
split into groups by voices (SATB) and each met in a different location with 
one of the faculty to rehearse our parts on a number of tunes which included 
Dan's "Or Zarua", Jeff's "Shehecheyanu", Rachelle Nelson's "Oseh Shalom" and 
Craig's "Etz Chaim".  Then we had the usual first day "Reception".  We then 
were split into what was referred to as "homerooms". There were 6 homerooms 
each led by one of the faculty members.  There were approximately 25 people in 
each group.  This was a time (usually about 30 minutes) to debrief, talk about 
feelings, give comments, suggestions, etc. in a safe environment.

After dinner and singing, we all gathered in the Bayit to sing the choral music 
we had rehearsed in the afternoon.  This was a nice way to add choral singing 
to the mix and I liked the way it allowed us to be in smaller voice section 
groups at the beginning of the program to meet and bond with a smaller group of 
people.

Within the homerooms, each homeroom was assigned a service and a dining hall 
song session and people who wanted to have a chance to lead could volunteer.  
We would critique them in the subsequent homeroom sessions.  There were not 
enough opportunities for everyone to participate in this who wanted to.  I 
missed the more formal critique sessions from the last few years.

Thursday began (too early) with a 7 am service.  The service was split in two 
with 3 homerooms being assigned to the Lodge and the other 3 to the Bayit.  All 
came together in the Bayit for the Torah service.  After breakfast and song 
session led by various homeroom participants, we attended "Core Curriculum".  
(BTW, breakfast and lunch were also separated.  There were two dining rooms 
open and you could choose which one you wanted to sit in.  This enabled two 
different groups to get the chance to songlead after the meals.)  I personally 
missed being able to eat as one big group.

Core curriculum consisted of three groups led by three members of the faculty.  
The other three members of the faculty rotated to each group.  You were 
assigned to a specific group and within the alloted time, you spent time with 
your core teacher and each of the rotating teachers.  Subjects covered were 
songleading skills, guitar technique, styles, planning song sessions, etc.  
Each core curriculum session was two hours (one hour with each of two faculty).

Then lunch and singing.  After lunch we had "Electives".  You could choose 
which of the following 6 sessions to attend - Youth & Volunteer Choirs, 
Worship, Healing, Singing for Tikkun Olam, Composition, Camp Repertoire.  After 
this, another Core Curriculum session - one with your main teacher and the 
other with a rotating faculty member.
Then off to homeroom, dinner, and singing.  At around 9 pm, we chose a "Sharing 
Session" to attend -- religious school music, liturgical music, camp music, 
etc.  And then there was the ever popular open mike.  Lots of new and really 
good talent this year.  Of course, Rick Lupert had new poetry (always a treat) 
and Billy Jonas was back with two new tunes.  The guy just gets better and 
better -- clever stuff!!  You have to experience it to believe it.  I was 
particularly impressed with how much young talent there was.  Wow, if these 
young men and women are at our camps, are our kids lucky.  And it is always a 
treat for me to see people improve from one Hava Nashira to another.  Lots of 
talent!

Friday began with services, breakfast and another core curriculum session.  
Then lunch and singing.  We then attended electives where you could pick from 
the same choices and attend a session you did not go to the first time.  Then 
homeroom and preparation for Shabbat.  Kabbalat Shabbat, dinner and singing, 
storytelling by Jerry Kaye and another open mike.  

Saturday began with breakfast and Torah study.  Then services and a kiddush.  
Services were lovely and almost seamless.  Jules Frankel and Z'ev Harari read 
from the Torah and the final aliyah was one for those who needed healing.  With 
a roof of tallitot over our heads we heard Steve Drokin's Y'varechecha and 
Debbie's Misheberach.  Very few dry eyes in the place.

Lunch, one and a half hours of rest (great time to meet and get to know people 
better -- of course I never even considered taking a nap).  Then around 4 pm we 
broke into the sharing sessions again.  Jerry told stories for Seudah Shlishit 
and then dinner with singing.  One more homeroom session and the Evening 
Program began led by the faculty.  This was one of my personal highlights.  
Lots of new songs presented by the faculty seemed to flow magically from one to 
the next. Lots of ruach -- just a really good time including a choral version 
of "The Rice Krispies" song led by Ellen.  Laura Berkson shared her beautiful 
"Look for Three Stars - Havdalah Round" to begin Havdalah and there was a warm 
and friendly feeling in the room.  Another open mike that went until about 2:30 
am.

Sunday - brunch, shachrit (another beautiful and well organized service), 
lunch.  I was so glad I did not have to rush off to leave this year.  My plane 
was late in the afternoon and so I was able to savor the memories for a bit 
longer and tell everyone l'hitraot.

One of the best additions to the entire program was having Joel Eglash there 
from Transcontinental Music.  He brought wonderful resources that every 
songleader, cantorial soloist or cantor should have -- Manginot, Shireinu, 
recordings and other printed and audio music.  What a terrific way to see these 
materials first hand and have a chance to purchase them.  Not only did Joel 
schlepp all of this stuff from Transcontinental, he also agreed to over see the 
sales of participants' products which could be left at the tables for sale.  
What a mensch!  Thanks, Joel.

Musical highlights:  two new songs from Debbie - "The Water in the Well" and 
"Psalm 3:2-9"; a bit of Craig's new music from his "One Shabbat Morning" 
services, Dan's music which was new to most and lots of new tunes gained at the 
sharing sessions. 

Like at said at the beginning, each Hava Nashira has its own make-up and its 
own special moments.  Nothing will top the "miracles" that we witnessed three 
years ago (my first Hava), but by the time I leave each year, I have already 
convinced myself that I could not possibly miss the next one.  Each person 
contributes to the whole of Hava Nashira and it was a great mix of people this 
time around.  I will keep each of you in my heart until we meet again to sing, 
share and support one another.  Thank you all.

Love,
Judy :)

Judy Caplan Ginsburgh - Professional Singer/Recording Artist/Educator
www.jewishentertainment.net/judy
judy (at) jewishentertainment(dot)net
Director:  Jewish Entertainment Resources - We Help You Find Jewish Talent!
www.jewishentertainment.net
Conference Chair - CAJE 23 - www.caje.org