[HANASHIR:15583] Carlebach

[rahel <rahel...>]

Shalom,

In response to your request for Carlebach stories....

I have forwarded your request to some of my friends who knew Carlebach 
personally and were musicians for his concerts. Perhaps they will respond.

Though I did not know Carlebach personally, I can attest to the fact that 
he was very successful at inspiring "lost" Jews to find their way back to 
Judaism. Moshav Modiin in Israel was founded either by Carlebach - or most 
definitely by Carlebach followers and still functions today much according 
to his inspiration and teachings. Because of Carlebach's somewhat 
unconventional approach he was able to attract and inspire many young 
people to follow his lead to become observant Jews. This is all a very good 
thing.

I, personally, was not particularly impressed, nor inspired by Carlebach. 
However, I can safely say that I felt the full power of his influence 
indirectly through many of my friends who were directly inspired by him.

I have three stories to share:

1. A late night in Jerusalem, after a gig, found me and a few other 
musicians in the only restaurant that was still serving at 2AM. Sitting in 
the restaurant on Rehov Agrippas  in the shuk in Jerusalem's town center, 
eating chummus and pita, we sat, ate and chatted. About 2:30 am, my friend 
noted that, "Hey, it's Shlomo Carlebach!". Lo and behold, in comes Shlomo 
with 2 or 3 others. Yes, he was also after a gig and was hungry. We all 
greeted each other and Shlomo came over to bless us. We chatted for a few 
minutes then continued on our way. I guess Shlomo also knew where the only 
late night meal could be had!

2. I was invited to a wedding that was to take place at Moshav Modiin. 
Carlebach was to be the officiating Rabbi of the ceremony. The ceremony 
began and as the couple stood under the chuppah, Carlebach began to conduct 
the ceremony. There was lots of singing and holy words. However, three 
hours later, the couple was still standing under the chuppah and Carlebach 
was still going strong. I turned to my husband and suggested that it seemed 
this wedding was going to be a very long one and who knows how long it 
would be before they would break the glass! We decided it was time to go. I 
have no idea how long the couple stood under the chuppah or when the 
festivities began after that or how long the wedding lasted. I can only 
imagine it was quite a long night!

3. I attended an evening with Carlebach - it must have been a Motzei 
Shabbat. There was lots and lots of singing. Most people sat on the floor 
all around the Rav and he simply sat and sang and told stories all night. 
The mood was spiritual. Carlebach led the evening much as a train of 
thought - very fluid and fluent - one song leading into another, one story 
into a song etc. All the people there simple closed their eyes, listening 
and swaying and singing along.

Carlebach was an influential man. We sing his songs without even knowing it 
because they have become part of our Jewish heritage, culture, liturgy and 
history. He was a force that inspired a large number of people, and 
continues to inspire people even today after his passing. His stories, 
songs and teachings are still very much alive in the lives and hearts of 
many of his followers in Israel and the USA. In his lifetime he 
accomplished much.

Rahel

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