[HANASHIR:11439] A reunion of sorts

[LPKAROL <LPKAROL...>]

Dear Friends,
       Judy Caplan Ginsburgh and Steve Dropkin were here in Topeka this past 
weekend.   Parts of it felt like a Hava Nashira reunion (I am a '99 and '00 
veteran, and I plan to be back this year), but mostly it was great to have a 
chance to see both of them lead and perform.   
       Judy did a workshop for child care teachers (through my wife's 
connections as a  child care site director), a concert for over 100 local 
pre-schoolers on friday morning, and her "Havdalah Pajama" concert at Temple 
on Saturday night  Steve Dropkin served as her accompanist throughout the 
weekend, and he led a choir rehearsal to teach some of our singers his music. 
 He and Judy (and I) led music for our Friday night service, with our singers 
joining on Steve's melodies for Lecha Dodi, Veshamru, Shalom Rav, Oseh Shalom 
and Ein Keiloheinu.  Judy signed many of the prayers beautifully, as she 
always does.  On Saturday night, after "havdalah pajama," Steve presented a 
concert of his music, with Judy adding harmony, signing and a few tunes of 
her own (Judy and I also sang a song of mine).   I think my congregants, and 
Steve and Judy, were mutually touched by the level of spirituality and 
enthusiasm reached this weekend.   It was a great experience, one I would 
recommend to everyone who may not already have had Judy and Steve visit and 
perform in their community.  
       After this "reunion of sorts," I am really looking forward to seeing 
many of you at OSRUI!  
L'shalom,
Rabbi Larry Karol
Temple Beth Sholom
Topeka, Kansas

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