[HANASHIR:3174] Re: Spirituality and H.N.

[Chazzzan <Chazzzan...>]

I was not at this year's HN, but I was at 4 or 5 others...
I have been part of a very close traditional community for the past 9 years.  
We share in each other's weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other simchas, as well 
as the difficult times, like funerals and shiva.  Our services, especially 
Friday night services,  have always inspired me to some levels of 
spirituality and a feeling of closeness to G-d.

Hava Nashira, however, reached an even higher level of spirituality.  I kept 
coming back each year for my "fix" of camaraderie and letting go.  There was 
a sense of freedom and joy at HN which one -- sadly -- cannot experience much 
in one's adult life.  Even more so, there was the feeling that if one were to 
let go, there were others around who would support them.

I don't agree that HN is not a community.  Although the annual gathering of 
HN is brief -- way too brief -- I believe that it fully qualifies as a 
"community" for that period.  Meals, emotions, catharsis, soul-felt music, 
dance are all shared.  The tone was always set by Debbie Friedman who, 
although she has a well-deserved strong ego, can be an example of the most 
incredible humility...Donnie and others were the same way.  I have carried 
those lessons and personal examples in my heart throughout the year.

Brian

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