[HANASHIR:15257] Re: Food for thought (for the future)

[Rabbi Richard Schachet <lvrabbi...>]

Re: [HANASHIR:15255] Food for thought (for the future)Valley Outreach in Las 
Vegas has already begun considering using the contemplative music idea.

Very exciting.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jacqueline Guttman 
  To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
  Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 7:58 AM
  Subject: [HANASHIR:15256] Re: Food for thought (for the future)


  Oh Geez, I'm sorry. This was obviously meant for my rabbi. Terribly sorry.

  Jackie


    From: Jacqueline Guttman <jguttman (at) nj(dot)rr(dot)com>
    Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
    Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 09:42:42 -0400
    To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
    Subject: [HANASHIR:15255] Food for thought (for the future)




        Hi,

        I thought the message below, from the listserve HaNashir, might be of 
interest for a future year. 

        Also, did you get the draft I sent you of the new brochure? Sorry to be 
a pest; they want to get the letter to new homeowners out asap and the brochure 
is supposed to go in it. Monday I'm "interviewing" Mora Dora and Sharon for 
their bios. 

        Best,
        JAckie


        "I respectfully submit that we dare not offer music which will render 
apathy.
        The opportunities are far too great."  -Jack Bielan

        I agree completely.  By the way, Jack Bielan is a brilliant musician 
and composer.  I use two of his compost ions on a regular basis - his Shabbat 
Candle Blessing and God's Voice, both from his "From the Heart of a Jewish 
Soul" CD, which is really DIFFERENT from what the rest of us are writing and 
recording these days.  Valley Outreach is lucky to have him and if any of us 
get the chance to hear him performing his music, which he does with amazing 
vocalists, we should definitely make the effort to do so.

        At Kol Halev during the holidaze, we do something extraordinarily 
special.  During the late afternoon  we do  contemplative music for that 1.5 
hours. Austin is a huge music town ("Live Music Capital of the World" is our 
city's moniker) and we get some of the top Jewish musicians in Texas (you'd be 
amazed how many there are!)  to play 12-15 minutes of music. No lyrics, no 
break.  None of these musicians will take money for this and every year we get 
more volunteers than we can schedule. Many are Grammy-award winners 
-professionals in the field who find they can use their voice, through their 
instrument, to contribute during this time.

        The musicians play whatever they choose - some will do themes based on 
HH day modes or other Jewish music -  others their own compositions.  The only 
parameter is that it is contemplative in nature. 

        During this time in the sanctuary, there is no talking allowed.  I've 
seen people lean against the walls with tallitot over their heads, weep 
silently, lay down across chairs with their arm over their eyes or watch 
intently and listen.  It gives the worshippers the opportunity to take YK to a 
very different level - we all know how crucial communal prayer is, but so is 
private introspection and this is the perfect opportunity to turn inward for an 
extended period of time.

        This year's instruments include: flute, stand-up bass/cello 
combination; piano; classical guitar; cello; harp and bells/percussion.

        May we all find our inner music as we prepare to lead our congregations 
through the journey that is the High Holy Days.  If I have hurt or offended any 
of you on this list, please allow me to ask for forgiveness. L'shana tovah 
tikatevu to all....(y'all!)

        Robbi Sherwin


        Robbi Sherwin, Cantor
        Congregation Kol Halev
        Austin, Texas
        (512) 467-7270
        www.kolhalev.org
        Spirited Jewish Songcrafting
        www.robbisherwin.com
        sherwin (at) earthlink(dot)net