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 11^th 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!)