[HANASHIR:3102] Re: Blues?

[Rglauber <Rglauber...>]

Hello friends,

Someone has to be different, right?    I'm probably one of the only ones who 
didn't have the "amazing"  time at Hava Nashira.  While there were a lot of 
nice happenings within the 5 days, on the whole I found it less than 
satisfying.  The main problem for me was the complete and utter lack of 
physicality within our ranks.  There was far too much time sitting around and 
no time for moving around.  The implication of this is quite profound in my 
opinion: it's that our idea of spirituality and music is about a person with 
a guitar in front of a lot of other folks who are there to sing, harmonize, 
but in no other way interact.  I have a real hard time with the concept, but 
I seem to be in the minority.

Additionally, I felt that Hava Nashira was struggling with some growing pains 
last year, as enrollment was much higher than at any time in the past.  I'm 
sure that this year will be far larger still, if this list is any indicator.  
The result of the increased numbers was a lot of "top-down" communication, 
and not enough sharing among equals.  For me, the best moments were when we 
took it upon ourselves to meet and share..... among equals, each of whom has 
much to contribute.  It was much more valuable to me to learn this way, 
rather than learning the latest Debbie Friedman or Donny Maseng tunes.  This 
sharing took place in spite of the program, rather than because of it.  
Hopefully, this  type of activity will be built more into the program this 
year.   

There were other problems as well, but I don't need to indicate every one.  I 
mean, who wants to have that kind of a reputation?   Suffice it to say, I'm 
quite content to not be at Hava Nashira this year, and I figured I might as 
well share that.   

your faithful curmudgeon,
Rich Glauber  presently in Eugene, OR

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