Hava Nashira 2002
Another FANTASTIC
5 days of music, prayer, study, sharing and learning!
The Staff:
Cantor Jill
Abramson, Merri Arian, Cantor Ellen Dreskin, Debbie Friedman, Cantor Jeff
Klepper and Rabbi Dan Freelander (Kol B’Seder), Dan Nichols, Craig Taubman
The Program:
This year’s 11th
Annual Song Leading and Music Conference, Hava Nashira, was the
biggest ever. There were 167 participants from the United States, Canada and
England. The participants are cantors, song leaders, music teachers, musicians,
rabbis and educators; all with a passion for music, education and Judaism.
Each day we start
with Shacharit Services and we sing. After each meal, we sing. During our
curriculum sessions, we sing. In our elective sessions, we sing. At sharing
sessions, we sing. We have Ma’ariv Services, we sing. And in case you didn’t
get an opportunity, every night there’s an Open Mic or Beit Café (coffee
house), at which you can – you guessed it – SING!
Our core
curriculum sessions concentrated on repertoire for Liturgy, Songs of Israel,
Jewish songs in English, and American Folk Music. Elective sessions that I
attended were ‘choral music’ and ‘song leading for the camp dining hall’. These
classes were led by the staff. The evening programming gave the staff the opportunity
to share their new music with us. There were also sharing sessions led by the
participants.
My
Contribution:
During a
children’s music sharing session, I sang my “R’fuah Shleimah” (prayer for healing). I got very
positive responses from the group. Later, Les Goldsmith, from Madison,
Wisconsin, told me that he’s been using it for their Tot Shabbat services at
his congregation. Rabbi Larry Karol, from Topeka, Kansas, told me he will
definitely use it with his younger congregants. (Thanks, guys!) Others in the
group also told me they’d like to use it in their communities.
At the Open Mic on
Saturday night I debuted my song “The Golem”. It was my first Open Mic
experience. Needless to say I was terrified. To sing your own composition
before an audience of your teachers and peers is very unnerving. But a more
supportive, encouraging audience you will never find anywhere. My song and I
were both well received. (“Thank you” to my song leader friends for their
supportive arm-twisting!)
I’ve returned home
with five cassette tapes full of new music I can’t wait to share, and renewed
energy and enthusiasm for Jewish music. The Hava Nashira experience is
spiritually, intellectually, and creatively rejuvenating. L’shanah haba’ah b’Oconomowoc!
(Next year in
Oconomowoc!)