[HANASHIR:3187] Re: Spirituality and H.N.

[Red Sea Blue <Jess...>]

Thank you Andy.

I relate very much to that 'I was not afraid to..' after attending hava
nashira for the first time.

I was not afraid to:-

prioritise music in my life
believe in my musicality
believe in my right to create contemporary Jewish music
sing with joy, rather than routine in synagogue
believe that the joy and expression of spirituality through music was as
important as Torah study
believe that when I taught a new song to someone or a group I was giving
them a special gift

And this is how we strengthen each other and help heal our spirits and the
spirits of those around us.

That first shabbat after hava nashira is always tough, be warned
first-timers. We have a festival of reform judaism here in London this
weekend. I cordially invite you here to get over the 'first shabbat after
hava nashira' blues. However you will have to catch a plane in an hour or
two to make it in time for Shabbat!

love
Jess Gold

>On Monday night, Linda Salvay and I played for the Florence Melton Adult
>Jewish Studies graduation.  How did our HN experience change what we did?
>We were not AFRAID to have fun.  We were not AFRAID to show emotion.  We
>were not AFRAID of making mistakes.  We were not AFRAID of nudging the
>people to participate.  Yes, there were some stony faces.  But if we can
>hold on to the HN spirit and keep being NOT AFRAID, there will be fewer
>stony faces over time.  In this way we shall serve.


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