Re: Hava Nashira 1998

[DanielKare <DanielKare...>]

In a message dated 98-06-08 12:49:55 EDT, you write:

<< But before I bore you all with positives, let me share about the two areas
 where I feel we missed the mark.  The first is an opinion that I know was
 shared by many of the participants, and that is the over programming of the
 conference and the resultant lack of time for informal, small group
 learning and sharing.  This is a serious problem, because it reflects a
 mind set that really must change.  What that type of programming implies is
 that we participants are to be in "receptor mode" for the vast majority of
 the time, and that we are to receive the insights from the "experts" in
 order to further our education.  I strongly disagree with this model as the
 dominant paradigm for what should happen at HN.  Personally I got much more
 out of the smaller group sharings, scheduled and unscheduled, in which
 people with common goals were able to share their various strategies,
 tunes, activities and ideas with eachother.  This type of programming
 happened in spite of the schedule, rather than because of it.
  >>
Here, here, Rich.  As a brand new participant I hesitate to complain, because
I have so much to learn from the leadership of HN.  However, similar feelings
did arise for me during the weekend.  Since all participants are performers
with energy, talent and creativity to spare, we really do need more
opportunities to share our own experiences, songs, etc.  I really enjoyed the
small session on kiddie songs, in which we all sat in a close-knit cozy group,
sharing songs and ideas.  It was a great supportive and fun gathering.  (Some
of these songs will be included on the HN cd, I have been told!)  

I really loved the sessions and songleading by faculty, and some of those
moments remain precious gems in my memory.  However, a mixture of this with
the above would probably be preferable to me, not to mention, taking pressure
off the faculty.  Perhaps some alternative smaller sessions could be
facilitated by volunteer attendees.

As to the movement, well, I for one did get up and dance on several occasions.
Dancing and movement take getting used to for some people...Rich, maybe you
just need to be a leader in this.  I was surprised at the lack of dancing in
the cafeteria during meals, especially at the end of birkat hamazon.  The only
"excuse" I can give is that perhaps people who are holding a guitar and
leading the songs don't usually get much opportunity to dance.

-Karen D.