.jpg)
I had a cathartic evening last Friday night. Daniel, the director of the Beit Daniel choir begged and cajoled me into agreeing to sing with them one last time for services last evening. I was dreading it--every moment spent there, once I understood I wouldn't get Jaffo, felt like a rejection. Really painful, and somehow shameful, as if I finally was proven to be the imposter I always felt. And before and during this evening, when talking to people, even at the bank, I got weepy--when will I grow up?
But I took the train, Daniel picked me up at the station. We rehearsed, I ran into the rabbi I did Yom Kippur with, who held my hand and spoke solid comfort, and said that of course the head rabbi would write a letter of recommendation for me, and that he would sign it too. He was very sweet, and I was blubby, as usual.
Before the service, as the choir lit our own Shabbat candles at the proper time, as we always did during our rehearsals, I cried to think of the end of that, included among so many endings for me. Then I asked Daniel not to talk about me during the service, and he said he could see why he shouldn't.
The service. About halfway through the sermon about Tu b'Shevat, I suddenly looked around, and thought "Sheesh, I was so unbelievably LUCKY to have actually worked here, and served these lovely warm people, and been considered for Jaffo!! And the other congregations, too! I have come so far from my origins, and proved myself to be tough and brave, and now I know my own value!" And up went my prayer of thanks. Suddenly I felt SO much better. By the end of the service, when finally Daniel talked about me (he lied!), I was ok, moved, but not weepy (thank G-d!)
Apparently he had let people know that it would be my last service, and about 400 people were there. Daniel read the card they had made for me, and gave me a gift, and the congregation smiled and clapped, and poof! I was leaving another congregation that loved me. And I'll get my letter. During the kiddush, so many people came to talk, and I got a CD and so much love, I felt almost myself again. (It has been a couple of months since I was with my Koleinu friends, after all!)
Daniel and Lia, his lovely girlfriend from Brazil, drove me home, and what they said to me, I was suddenly able to hear. Earlier that week I talked with a friend from home--she asked me, "won't you miss anyone?" and I couldn't think of anyone!) But I will miss Lia and Daniel, the choir members, and the people from the congregation of Beit Daniel who wanted from me and appreciated what I could give, and Rabbah Galia and Rabbi Gilad (who just might be Prime Minister some day, and I will come back just to vote for him!) It was always about the synagogue, the congregation. My work.
And then I came home to emails from 2 congregations (in California...) who want to meet with me. As Daniel said, I only need one to go for me, whether there or somewhere else! Whatever these 3 years was really about seems clearer now. Not about the people who let me down, or who didn't believe in me, not even about Israel, but about ME. For me finally to believe in my own abilities. Letting go of so much, to find what I really need. I will be very careful about what I take on again, too.
I'm thankful that I realized all of this, and understood it now, as I prepare to find my new "home."
I'm also more grateful than I can say to all of you, who have stuck with me this whole time, and offered me such support and love. If you would like to follow the next stage of my journey (..."Cindy's US Adventure" maybe?) let me know!
Position Wanted
Well, dear readers, I'm coming home. Anybody know of a cantorial soloist/music director job that's open?
In the end, all of the prospects one by one turned to dust, and it's time for me to come back to the States and try to find a congregation to serve. My skill set is enriched by my improved Hebrew, experience living as an Israeli, and all the new melodies and songs I have learned.
I loved living here, so much. But I couldn't build a life, or make a living. And it's too hard to be alone.
My lease is up in March, so I'll be back by the middle of the month, with luck (though I haven't had much luck lately...)
And if you hear of a job, please keep me in mind!
In the end, all of the prospects one by one turned to dust, and it's time for me to come back to the States and try to find a congregation to serve. My skill set is enriched by my improved Hebrew, experience living as an Israeli, and all the new melodies and songs I have learned.
I loved living here, so much. But I couldn't build a life, or make a living. And it's too hard to be alone.
My lease is up in March, so I'll be back by the middle of the month, with luck (though I haven't had much luck lately...)
And if you hear of a job, please keep me in mind!
"Autumn" in Israel
Last week the temps dropped to ... 70F, and people started wearing wool sweaters, sweatshirts, and heavy jackets! I'm still stifling, except at night, when it goes to about 65F!
Tonight, just at dusk, the power went out. Nothing to do but light a bunch of candles, finally do the dishes (!) and then sit in my little room doing sudokus, listening to mellow Chet Baker jazz on the computer, and drinking a nice red wine!
Am off to Vienna on Sat 6 AM --such uncivilized departure times here! Have booked my ticket to the Lipizzaner horse show at the Spanish Riding School (my little-girl wish come true!) for Sunday. We will do 9 concerts in 10 days, starting in Vienna commemmorating Kristallnacht, and finishing in Budapest for a closed reception dedicating a memorial to Daniel Pearl, where the US Ambassador will be in attendance.
I spoke with Rabbi Azari about Jaffo today--everything is up in the air. I wonder if I will lose that, too. Well, nothing I can do. He knows I am here to do whatever is needed, and heaven knows I have been patient. Why am I here?
Picked up another job, doing QA for a nice bunch of consultants who are building a business and website at the same time. Money is not great, but negotiable after 3 months, and I started today. It's more nit-picking, like I do for the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (hereafter, NITE) (makes it sound like a spy agency!) I like the people I work for, and it is all from home, which is nice. So I think I have put together mostly a living wage.
That's it for now...more after the trip!
Tonight, just at dusk, the power went out. Nothing to do but light a bunch of candles, finally do the dishes (!) and then sit in my little room doing sudokus, listening to mellow Chet Baker jazz on the computer, and drinking a nice red wine!
Am off to Vienna on Sat 6 AM --such uncivilized departure times here! Have booked my ticket to the Lipizzaner horse show at the Spanish Riding School (my little-girl wish come true!) for Sunday. We will do 9 concerts in 10 days, starting in Vienna commemmorating Kristallnacht, and finishing in Budapest for a closed reception dedicating a memorial to Daniel Pearl, where the US Ambassador will be in attendance.
I spoke with Rabbi Azari about Jaffo today--everything is up in the air. I wonder if I will lose that, too. Well, nothing I can do. He knows I am here to do whatever is needed, and heaven knows I have been patient. Why am I here?
Picked up another job, doing QA for a nice bunch of consultants who are building a business and website at the same time. Money is not great, but negotiable after 3 months, and I started today. It's more nit-picking, like I do for the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (hereafter, NITE) (makes it sound like a spy agency!) I like the people I work for, and it is all from home, which is nice. So I think I have put together mostly a living wage.
That's it for now...more after the trip!
Yom Kippur, Leaving Galron, and a Party
Yom Kippur services went very very well, especially considering the Rabbi had a drippy cold and lost his voice and I didn't truly know what I was doing. I had tunes for most of the big prayers, and made up the chanting for the rest. I was "on" for all of every service, even the Torah services. They actually sang along with me by the end of each block of services with the tunes I was making up, so I was definitely doing something right! There are different musical motives for each of the sections of the prayers.
The evening service that started everything was about 2.5 hours long, started, with the fast. about 45 minutes before sundown. I was exhausted after, and didn't feel that it went very well (though everyone else was happy) gave myself a good talking-to about deserving to be there, and having done months of preparation, and I needed to stick my head up, shoulders back, and trust my work and my gifts. Then I slept, better than I have for a while.
Morning service started at 9, went until 1:30, without a break. I stood up the whole time (in flats, but, still!) and sang the whole time (not exaggerating!) Then we had a 2.5 hour break, and started again at 4, and went until 7:30 pm. The day went very well, I hit my stride and people were very enthusiastic! And by the end, while my brain wasn't working, my voice was big and strong as usual! All in all I got through 5 amidahs and 5 viduis, 4 complete Avinu Malkeinus, all with ALL of the text--nothing like the US machzor! I put in enough "traditional" nusach in each to make people think I knew what I was doing!
You have to realize that there is no "congregation" in Jaffo yet, so nearly every person who attended the services were people who saw the signs outside the building, and walked in. We had about 150 in the evening service, and many told me afterwards that they loved the feel of the service and would be back the next day--and then they came back! (I was always good at customer retention!)
Rabbah Galia called me after I got home, and told me she had heard wonderful things about the services, and that Beit Daniel is priveleged to have me working with them, and asked me to be patient, and that she is sure that I will be the "voice" of the Jaffo congregation. Very sweet, esp. since she also had been working the whole holy day! (And I stressed that the privelege is ALL mine, and I meant it.) It was a very good start, (I know that I am always referring to my work at Beit Daniel as "good starts"--it's a process!) and will help convince the senior rabbi that I should be there more often.
They have booked me for Oct 24, and that's a start. It just will take time for me to finally become the best candidate in a group of possibilities. Exactly what happened at TBS in Cols--I know how it works, with patience and hard work and continual learning, and NO POLITICS until I can do everything they need me to do. I'll get there. And it gives me a real goal to keep going for.
The next night I went to services in the big synagogue (BD from now on!) and everyone, everyone wanted to know how it went if they weren't there in Jaffo, and congratulated me if they were, and Rabbah Galia (who has been my mentor since she first saw my resume and heard my CD last October) greeted me publicly from the podium when I came into the sanctuary at the start of the service. Cantor Freddy invited me up to do one of my signature prayers, then Galia and Freddy invited me up to sing the closing song. Further indication that I'm "om the team." Which I have been for a while, but I don't get quite enough validation (who does?) I'll be satisfied for a while, now. Once the holidays are over, Freddie and I will sit down with the Hallel, which we do every Rosh Chodesh. I have bits and pieces, but not the whole thing, with the tunes they know.
So my second YK finished!
I am leaving the Galron choir--I love the singers, and they have been lovely to me, but I have serious personality conflicts with both the "conductor" and the manager. So I will find another choir that does similar music, and whose management will be delighted to have me. Ironically, Koleinu members will be visiting Galron at the end of November--and I will not be there at all.
Last Saturday evening I had a dinner party to celebrate the marriage of my friends Yaakov and Dalia (they are the first in the slideshow, with their daughter Aurielle.) Yaki's and my friend Eva, whom we met in the absorption center, was visiting here from Prague with her sister, and they were with us. And Stephanie and Jeff from the States rounded out the congenial group. Neshikah the cat was particularly sociable that evening, and stayed with us! We ate and laughed, and it was lovely to entertain friends!
The evening service that started everything was about 2.5 hours long, started, with the fast. about 45 minutes before sundown. I was exhausted after, and didn't feel that it went very well (though everyone else was happy) gave myself a good talking-to about deserving to be there, and having done months of preparation, and I needed to stick my head up, shoulders back, and trust my work and my gifts. Then I slept, better than I have for a while.
Morning service started at 9, went until 1:30, without a break. I stood up the whole time (in flats, but, still!) and sang the whole time (not exaggerating!) Then we had a 2.5 hour break, and started again at 4, and went until 7:30 pm. The day went very well, I hit my stride and people were very enthusiastic! And by the end, while my brain wasn't working, my voice was big and strong as usual! All in all I got through 5 amidahs and 5 viduis, 4 complete Avinu Malkeinus, all with ALL of the text--nothing like the US machzor! I put in enough "traditional" nusach in each to make people think I knew what I was doing!
You have to realize that there is no "congregation" in Jaffo yet, so nearly every person who attended the services were people who saw the signs outside the building, and walked in. We had about 150 in the evening service, and many told me afterwards that they loved the feel of the service and would be back the next day--and then they came back! (I was always good at customer retention!)
Rabbah Galia called me after I got home, and told me she had heard wonderful things about the services, and that Beit Daniel is priveleged to have me working with them, and asked me to be patient, and that she is sure that I will be the "voice" of the Jaffo congregation. Very sweet, esp. since she also had been working the whole holy day! (And I stressed that the privelege is ALL mine, and I meant it.) It was a very good start, (I know that I am always referring to my work at Beit Daniel as "good starts"--it's a process!) and will help convince the senior rabbi that I should be there more often.
They have booked me for Oct 24, and that's a start. It just will take time for me to finally become the best candidate in a group of possibilities. Exactly what happened at TBS in Cols--I know how it works, with patience and hard work and continual learning, and NO POLITICS until I can do everything they need me to do. I'll get there. And it gives me a real goal to keep going for.
The next night I went to services in the big synagogue (BD from now on!) and everyone, everyone wanted to know how it went if they weren't there in Jaffo, and congratulated me if they were, and Rabbah Galia (who has been my mentor since she first saw my resume and heard my CD last October) greeted me publicly from the podium when I came into the sanctuary at the start of the service. Cantor Freddy invited me up to do one of my signature prayers, then Galia and Freddy invited me up to sing the closing song. Further indication that I'm "om the team." Which I have been for a while, but I don't get quite enough validation (who does?) I'll be satisfied for a while, now. Once the holidays are over, Freddie and I will sit down with the Hallel, which we do every Rosh Chodesh. I have bits and pieces, but not the whole thing, with the tunes they know.
So my second YK finished!
I am leaving the Galron choir--I love the singers, and they have been lovely to me, but I have serious personality conflicts with both the "conductor" and the manager. So I will find another choir that does similar music, and whose management will be delighted to have me. Ironically, Koleinu members will be visiting Galron at the end of November--and I will not be there at all.
Last Saturday evening I had a dinner party to celebrate the marriage of my friends Yaakov and Dalia (they are the first in the slideshow, with their daughter Aurielle.) Yaki's and my friend Eva, whom we met in the absorption center, was visiting here from Prague with her sister, and they were with us. And Stephanie and Jeff from the States rounded out the congenial group. Neshikah the cat was particularly sociable that evening, and stayed with us! We ate and laughed, and it was lovely to entertain friends!
We are preparing for a concert tour of Vienna (one of our concerts will be a commemmoration of Christallnacht), Bratislava, and Budapest. The trip is heavily subsidized by a group that promotes better relations between Christians and Jews in Eastern Europe. I'm very excited to be part of the trip, the concept, and the music. (The cat sitter will cost me more than the trip!)
More soon...meantime, stay in touch!
Acharei haChagim (After the Holy days)
So long since I have written here, though I write all the time in my head! Now where's that robot to write my thoughts?
Preparing for Yom Kippur, pages and pages of transliterated Hebrew that I will chant using a series of melodies that fit the tone of the day...yes, to the purists, I will learn the "right" way for next year. But after learning numbers of Sephardic and Israeli melodies for texts I have perfectly good Ashkenazic tunes, I'm finished. I will be lucky to get my mouth around the Hebrew correctly. I'm serious, pages and pages of transliteration. But this is the way I have always worked, and I will do it from the real Hebrew sooner than most people might think!
Tonight I finally made the roster of clergy--"Chazzanit Cindy Leland" (though when they talk about me from the bima they just say "Cindy" which apparently is enough to make all heads turn to where I am sitting in the congregation.)
The congregation members are so sweet to me. I have been befriended by a Holocaust survivor, Ayalah, who in my darkest hours finally gave me the comfort and then the advice I needed: "Be happy. Make yourself be happy. You have your health, you can work. You are beautiful and talented. Be happy!"
When you get that message from someone who lost everybody and everything, you listen.
And there are so many more, people who shake my hand when I light the candles and stumble through the Hebrew sentences that follow the blessing (I know that, at least!) And the ones who close their eyes when I sing after the silent prayer, or whose eyes light up when I start Carlebach's "L'cha Dodi." And the rabbi who commented after my first Shabbat morning service "I really liked your Nishmat Kol Chai" only I made it up as I went along (successfully, that day) and happened on something nice. Can I reproduce it? I doubt it!
So I have stopped assessing my life, and am simply living it. Working, looking for more work, working on the chazzanut, finding time for a new choir (more about that later) and trying to make room in my habits for friends. Though, right now every conversation is punctuated with the phrase "acharei haChagim" (after the holy days.)
My newest choir is one I found by chance--reading an English-speakers' digest of email messages, I found one: "Soprano urgently needed!" Well, I just had to check it out, and they do need me. The choir, the Alie Geffen Chorale, is comprised completely-but-one of Russians! They sing sacred classical music--Shubert in Hebrew, Mozart in Latin, Mendelssohn, Tchaikowsky in Russian, just lovely lovely stuff, and I know almost all of it from my "former life." I sang most of it in English, but to have Mendelssohn's "He Watching Over Israel Slumbers Not Nor Sleeps" in the original Hebrew, from the psalm--oh, it is magic.
So I was hooked, and then I learned that they are prepping for a concert tour of Vienna (for a performance to commemmorate Kristallnacht) then to Bratislava and finally to Budapest. And the best thing is that it has been heavily subsidized by some group and will cost me only $350! So I really HAD to agree--I could never get to those places on my own.
And it turns out that my friend Alice from Columbus will be in Budapest when I am there!
I am moving on, moving forward. Beit Daniel has booked me for an October Shabbat (besides the holiday) and I will have more. I will.
Preparing for Yom Kippur, pages and pages of transliterated Hebrew that I will chant using a series of melodies that fit the tone of the day...yes, to the purists, I will learn the "right" way for next year. But after learning numbers of Sephardic and Israeli melodies for texts I have perfectly good Ashkenazic tunes, I'm finished. I will be lucky to get my mouth around the Hebrew correctly. I'm serious, pages and pages of transliteration. But this is the way I have always worked, and I will do it from the real Hebrew sooner than most people might think!
Tonight I finally made the roster of clergy--"Chazzanit Cindy Leland" (though when they talk about me from the bima they just say "Cindy" which apparently is enough to make all heads turn to where I am sitting in the congregation.)
The congregation members are so sweet to me. I have been befriended by a Holocaust survivor, Ayalah, who in my darkest hours finally gave me the comfort and then the advice I needed: "Be happy. Make yourself be happy. You have your health, you can work. You are beautiful and talented. Be happy!"
When you get that message from someone who lost everybody and everything, you listen.
And there are so many more, people who shake my hand when I light the candles and stumble through the Hebrew sentences that follow the blessing (I know that, at least!) And the ones who close their eyes when I sing after the silent prayer, or whose eyes light up when I start Carlebach's "L'cha Dodi." And the rabbi who commented after my first Shabbat morning service "I really liked your Nishmat Kol Chai" only I made it up as I went along (successfully, that day) and happened on something nice. Can I reproduce it? I doubt it!
So I have stopped assessing my life, and am simply living it. Working, looking for more work, working on the chazzanut, finding time for a new choir (more about that later) and trying to make room in my habits for friends. Though, right now every conversation is punctuated with the phrase "acharei haChagim" (after the holy days.)
My newest choir is one I found by chance--reading an English-speakers' digest of email messages, I found one: "Soprano urgently needed!" Well, I just had to check it out, and they do need me. The choir, the Alie Geffen Chorale, is comprised completely-but-one of Russians! They sing sacred classical music--Shubert in Hebrew, Mozart in Latin, Mendelssohn, Tchaikowsky in Russian, just lovely lovely stuff, and I know almost all of it from my "former life." I sang most of it in English, but to have Mendelssohn's "He Watching Over Israel Slumbers Not Nor Sleeps" in the original Hebrew, from the psalm--oh, it is magic.
So I was hooked, and then I learned that they are prepping for a concert tour of Vienna (for a performance to commemmorate Kristallnacht) then to Bratislava and finally to Budapest. And the best thing is that it has been heavily subsidized by some group and will cost me only $350! So I really HAD to agree--I could never get to those places on my own.
And it turns out that my friend Alice from Columbus will be in Budapest when I am there!
I am moving on, moving forward. Beit Daniel has booked me for an October Shabbat (besides the holiday) and I will have more. I will.
Doors closing, what about the windows? The answer below.
Life has been, life--some bad, some good.
Bad: After a year of increasing misery, I broke up with the very unsatisfactory man, and only after found out what a sick, lying pig b----rd he really is! A very close call. Next relationship, if there is one, will be on my terms, no alternatives.
Told the whole story to a good friend here, and have a new sister! Good!
Made a new friend originally from the UK and very sensible and supportive. Makes me laugh, takes me out. Am finally seeing Tel Aviv--good!
Auditioned for the Israeli Opera (they asked me, after all, but wanted a mezzo--not exactly me, but what the heck?) Chazzanut, good, but the required Handel aria--bad! Oh, well.
Last week at Hadassah, my boss came back from a meeting with the big-wigs, to tell me that after the holy days in the fall my job will be eliminated. Bad.
Last night, Cantor and composer Jeff Klepper was at Beit Daniel, visiting at the end of a trip here. For those of you who don't know his work, his work along with Debbie Friedman's, revolutionized and revived Reform and now Conservative liturgical music. Jeff contacted me after he found my blog, and let me know he would be in town. We ended up singing his Shalom Rav and Oseh Shalom together, without rehearsal--the best kind of fun I know, anyway, and a special thrill because it was Jeff Klepper! And we were good. The congregation absolutely loved it, and everyone was very nice after the service, and this morning, too, especially Cantor Freddy. Good!
And finally last night I realized that I need the bima time--it is a kind of hunger that gnaws at me day and night. When I am up there, singing, I am healed and healing, whole. I need to find an accompanist/partner, and make it happen. This must be my main objective (once I have an income, since I like to eat, too!) Truth is always good.
Now off to work on Yom Kippur. I will be the cantor in Jaffo! Good!
Stay in touch, my friends!
Bad: After a year of increasing misery, I broke up with the very unsatisfactory man, and only after found out what a sick, lying pig b----rd he really is! A very close call. Next relationship, if there is one, will be on my terms, no alternatives.
Told the whole story to a good friend here, and have a new sister! Good!
Made a new friend originally from the UK and very sensible and supportive. Makes me laugh, takes me out. Am finally seeing Tel Aviv--good!
Auditioned for the Israeli Opera (they asked me, after all, but wanted a mezzo--not exactly me, but what the heck?) Chazzanut, good, but the required Handel aria--bad! Oh, well.
Last week at Hadassah, my boss came back from a meeting with the big-wigs, to tell me that after the holy days in the fall my job will be eliminated. Bad.
Last night, Cantor and composer Jeff Klepper was at Beit Daniel, visiting at the end of a trip here. For those of you who don't know his work, his work along with Debbie Friedman's, revolutionized and revived Reform and now Conservative liturgical music. Jeff contacted me after he found my blog, and let me know he would be in town. We ended up singing his Shalom Rav and Oseh Shalom together, without rehearsal--the best kind of fun I know, anyway, and a special thrill because it was Jeff Klepper! And we were good. The congregation absolutely loved it, and everyone was very nice after the service, and this morning, too, especially Cantor Freddy. Good!
And finally last night I realized that I need the bima time--it is a kind of hunger that gnaws at me day and night. When I am up there, singing, I am healed and healing, whole. I need to find an accompanist/partner, and make it happen. This must be my main objective (once I have an income, since I like to eat, too!) Truth is always good.
Now off to work on Yom Kippur. I will be the cantor in Jaffo! Good!
Five goods, three bads--the goods win! Nice to know.
Stay in touch, my friends!
Watch this space...lots of stuff coming soon...
Well, for one reason or another, I have been journalling and emailing my thoughts and not writing here. But any minute now I will be back. Having passed through the fire, and clean, and ready for business!
But tomorrow I am in the office, at Hadassah, to earn my "daily bread"! So patience for just a few more days, and pictures, and stories! And pictures! And stories...
"Please wait..
But tomorrow I am in the office, at Hadassah, to earn my "daily bread"! So patience for just a few more days, and pictures, and stories! And pictures! And stories...
"Please wait..
a long time coming...
Well, it has been a combination of finally having a "real life" here (meaning work, and lots of it, and not so much time to reflect and observe) and so many things going on (Israel's 60th anniversary, seeing friends, Galron things) and I have not had much time or inclination to write.
So tonight you get an update!
On Israel's 60th--picture July 4th, with a lot of editorials and polls saying the government should not spend a lot of money on a celebration, but put it toward the many social issues all countries have. The big buzz was Bank HaPoalim's marketing gesture of having flags made, only the magein (star) was wrong--the top point should point at the band of blue at the top of the flag, and Poalim's star had it so that the top point was pointing at blank white space. See the picture. They put the flags in ALL of the newspapers--everybody had one! It was quite a scandal!
On Lag b'Omer the medurot (bonfires) were spectacular and scary in some cases. Mike Cummings (who has been here for months--we have emailed and phoned but not met) had a lovely falafel dinner and some beers and a long talk, then went out to see the fires. No supervision, no fire department presence, just a lot of kids playing with fire! Mike commented about OSU football games and how people burn cars randomly--that never happens here, and Mike and I think it is because Israelis of all generations get the firebug out of themselves on this one night!
Shavuot I simply couldn't face--an all-nighter studying Torah, in Hebrew. I stayed home and made myself a meal with lots of cheese!
The fourth weekend in May saw the gathering of all of the Reform/Liberal congregations for a convention. The Shabbat services took center stage, and I was asked to lead the service (representing Beit Daniel) for the reading of the Torah--my first in over a year and a half. I studied the liturgy (there is more/different here) and put together my "book" and drove to the site the week before to be sure I knew where it was. Then there was "the day" and I met Cantor Evan Cohen, an emigre from the US who offered to help me and whom I joined for several prayers in an earlier part of the service. When my turn came, I was BACK IN THE SADDLE! What I didn't know, I had made up--and everyone sang along, because what I need is inside myself already. It was the loveliest chaos with all sorts of diverse people called to make the blessings before and after the readings. One was for all the people who came from other countries to live here--40 people, including me! I finally saw that I'm really "on the team."
Later in the day was the Cantor's Concert--I sang with Iris Weiner, Evan Cohen, and others. It was lovely...
A week later I led the Friday evening service with guitarist/singer Boaz. We worked out the issues of pitching his songs higher, and then I pitched all of my a capella stuff WAY TOO LOW!! It was terrible, to talk the song instead of singing it, and it was my own damned fault--I have lost the "feel" of starting some of the songs so that I can start and then the congregation can join. I will get it back , but I need more experience.
But as usual, everyone heard what they wanted to hear. (In this case, that's good!)
The next day I traveled with the senior rabbi of Beit Daniel, Rabbi Meir Azari, to a private home to "do" a bar mitzvah. My first mincha service, my first Ashrei (yes, my "born" Jewish friends, go ahead and laugh!!) and I was sweating it. Lots of new liturgy, and an audience of people who have spent their lives avoiding the synagogue so they didn't know much of anything to sing along.
I did it, they were surprised to see a woman, but not averse, and the young man aquitted himself admirably. And I DID it. And supported Rabbi Azari. On the way back to Tel Aviv, I told him how nice it was to meet Evan Cohen and Meir told me "you know, none of the cantors in Israel are 'ordained'"--well I didn't know that, and it made me feel much better.
So I am working on the parts of the Saturday morning service I don't know, and working for Hadassah, and figuring out when I can get back to the States to see my kids.
That's it, and good night!
So tonight you get an update!
On Israel's 60th--picture July 4th, with a lot of editorials and polls saying the government should not spend a lot of money on a celebration, but put it toward the many social issues all countries have. The big buzz was Bank HaPoalim's marketing gesture of having flags made, only the magein (star) was wrong--the top point should point at the band of blue at the top of the flag, and Poalim's star had it so that the top point was pointing at blank white space. See the picture. They put the flags in ALL of the newspapers--everybody had one! It was quite a scandal!
On Lag b'Omer the medurot (bonfires) were spectacular and scary in some cases. Mike Cummings (who has been here for months--we have emailed and phoned but not met) had a lovely falafel dinner and some beers and a long talk, then went out to see the fires. No supervision, no fire department presence, just a lot of kids playing with fire! Mike commented about OSU football games and how people burn cars randomly--that never happens here, and Mike and I think it is because Israelis of all generations get the firebug out of themselves on this one night!
Shavuot I simply couldn't face--an all-nighter studying Torah, in Hebrew. I stayed home and made myself a meal with lots of cheese!
The fourth weekend in May saw the gathering of all of the Reform/Liberal congregations for a convention. The Shabbat services took center stage, and I was asked to lead the service (representing Beit Daniel) for the reading of the Torah--my first in over a year and a half. I studied the liturgy (there is more/different here) and put together my "book" and drove to the site the week before to be sure I knew where it was. Then there was "the day" and I met Cantor Evan Cohen, an emigre from the US who offered to help me and whom I joined for several prayers in an earlier part of the service. When my turn came, I was BACK IN THE SADDLE! What I didn't know, I had made up--and everyone sang along, because what I need is inside myself already. It was the loveliest chaos with all sorts of diverse people called to make the blessings before and after the readings. One was for all the people who came from other countries to live here--40 people, including me! I finally saw that I'm really "on the team."
Later in the day was the Cantor's Concert--I sang with Iris Weiner, Evan Cohen, and others. It was lovely...
A week later I led the Friday evening service with guitarist/singer Boaz. We worked out the issues of pitching his songs higher, and then I pitched all of my a capella stuff WAY TOO LOW!! It was terrible, to talk the song instead of singing it, and it was my own damned fault--I have lost the "feel" of starting some of the songs so that I can start and then the congregation can join. I will get it back , but I need more experience.
But as usual, everyone heard what they wanted to hear. (In this case, that's good!)
The next day I traveled with the senior rabbi of Beit Daniel, Rabbi Meir Azari, to a private home to "do" a bar mitzvah. My first mincha service, my first Ashrei (yes, my "born" Jewish friends, go ahead and laugh!!) and I was sweating it. Lots of new liturgy, and an audience of people who have spent their lives avoiding the synagogue so they didn't know much of anything to sing along.
I did it, they were surprised to see a woman, but not averse, and the young man aquitted himself admirably. And I DID it. And supported Rabbi Azari. On the way back to Tel Aviv, I told him how nice it was to meet Evan Cohen and Meir told me "you know, none of the cantors in Israel are 'ordained'"--well I didn't know that, and it made me feel much better.
So I am working on the parts of the Saturday morning service I don't know, and working for Hadassah, and figuring out when I can get back to the States to see my kids.
That's it, and good night!
The Galron Singers
We performed last night at the Cultural Center in Rishon Letzion last night, the longest performance we have made in a while. I still know only about 85% of the words, but the words I know, I understand (mostly!) This time we performed a few songs that we have learned together (as opposed to me trying to catch up.) One was a rock-and-roll medley of songs by Yehudit Ravitz, and a medley of French chansons, that builds up to me singing "La Vie En Rose" to new Hebrew lyrics, very loud. We had to do an encore, which really never is done here, after a performance like this one. It was a great success.
Before the performance we had an hour and a half of that distinctly Israeli experience--singing together, with a pianist, and the words projected on the screen. I only knew a few of these songs, but it was such pleasure to hear an auditorium filled with people singing their heads off, just for fun! One of the few songs I knew was "HaFinjan" which was led by the very elderly man who wrote the words!
Click on the link below, or above this post, and visit Galron's English website (translated by me!) You will be able to hear some of our music, and you can leave a comment for me by picking Members, then clicking on my photo. It would be so so nice to hear your comments! And sign the guest book, too--just be sure to scroll down to see the options (and the scroll bar is on the left, the Hebrew way!)
http://www.galronsingers.com/index.php
Before the performance we had an hour and a half of that distinctly Israeli experience--singing together, with a pianist, and the words projected on the screen. I only knew a few of these songs, but it was such pleasure to hear an auditorium filled with people singing their heads off, just for fun! One of the few songs I knew was "HaFinjan" which was led by the very elderly man who wrote the words!
Click on the link below, or above this post, and visit Galron's English website (translated by me!) You will be able to hear some of our music, and you can leave a comment for me by picking Members, then clicking on my photo. It would be so so nice to hear your comments! And sign the guest book, too--just be sure to scroll down to see the options (and the scroll bar is on the left, the Hebrew way!)
http://www.galronsingers.com/index.php
Chag Sameach!!
We are in full holiday mode here--all the stores are having sales, and people are sprucing up their homes. Mine is still spruced from last year, so I can save my money except for the gifts I will take to my hosts. At least this year I know the customs (bring something for the household--pretty plate, table runner, flowering plant or something else nice) and will have Chag Pesach lunch at the same place I had it last year--Janine and Danny Gelley's. They have kindly invited me so many times that I feel like part of the family. AND Janine always asks me to sing, so this year I will be warmed up and ready with something I haven't sung for them before (don't know what yet, but they are South African, so I can sing in English--good time for Gershwin or Arlen!)
My seder will be at the home of one of the rabbis at Beit Daniel. Typical of all invitations here, he truly was happy that I would be there. Of course, he said something about leading the songs, so I hope I know some! It will be a wonderful to experience a Progressively religious seder here!
I wish you chag sameach, a happy and kosher Passover, and may you liberate yourselves from whatever slavery exists in your lives. And may we all remember those who need freedom, all over the world.
And if you are not one of "my people" happy Spring, healing, growth and happiness!
My seder will be at the home of one of the rabbis at Beit Daniel. Typical of all invitations here, he truly was happy that I would be there. Of course, he said something about leading the songs, so I hope I know some! It will be a wonderful to experience a Progressively religious seder here!
I wish you chag sameach, a happy and kosher Passover, and may you liberate yourselves from whatever slavery exists in your lives. And may we all remember those who need freedom, all over the world.
And if you are not one of "my people" happy Spring, healing, growth and happiness!
Well, I call it progress!
Just when I was in despair, thinking that I never will learn to speak this language I love so much, I had a whole conversation in Hebrew last evening after services at Beit Daniel. An elderly man greeted me, and then we spent fully 10 minutes talking about the great composers Lewandowski and Sulzer! What a thrill it was to actually be talking! (I think it helped that I knew the work of these great composers, and the arrangements, and love them as much as this gentleman did.)
And I can talk! Whoo-hoo!
And I can talk! Whoo-hoo!
Spring!
I put up 2 photos (not fabulous quality, but I took them with my not-fabulous-quality cellphone!) of what many vacant lots look like now. This field is in the big Kfar Saba Park. Every time I pass it there are different kinds of flowers. And now the orange trees are blossoming (while still having mature oranges on them...) and the air is citrus-scented. I must have been still in a fog last spring, because I don't remember the flowers or the blossoms! Enjoy...I am!
Purim in Israel
All week we were in full-holiday mode--people in costume or masks (kids and grownups!), people carrying or ordering cellophane gift baskets of food. Silly music on the radio, lots of fun. Fundraising for Sderot and Ashkelon.
Personally, I was helping host the Prima Vista choir of the Musicschule of Leverkusen Germany. Galron and Prima Vista performed at the Kol Rinah choral festival at Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Yankele Schreibman and I met them and had a tour of Hadassah hospital, and I traveled with them on a tour of the north, around the Kineret, up on the Golan Heights (they are really high, and accessible only by a 2-lane road that snaked and hairpinned its way up. I'm glad I went by bus, because I think I would not like to drive it!) All through this beautiful land there are land mines and bunkers left from the war.
Later that day we toured some sites important to Christians, and then traveled to Nazareth Illit, to tour a chocolate factory and then perform at a nursing home (they performed, I carried music stands and ran for water!)
I was also preparing to chant chapter 3 of the book of Esther at Beit Daniel. I borrowed a kimono from my friend Pnina Gershony, and Thursday evening went to Tel Aviv, hoping people would be dressed up, hoping I would be OK. The synagogue was MOBBED! At 6 they had a party in the sanctuary for kids and parents, with a live band, and tons of food and things for sale. When I arrived at 7:45 the party was still going on, and everybody was dressed in some kind of costume! We settled down for a short evening service, but the hilarity continued--the cantor led the Chatzi Kaddish to the tune of "Ani Purim!"
Then we all went downstairs to the social hall for the megilla reading (here starts some background for those who have never experienced Purim in community.) There were cushions, low chairs and other chairs all over the room, with space for another band, and the table where we readers would sit. Tables lined the walls and were scattered among the seats, filled with food, wine, vodka and fruit juices (you are supposed to drink as the megilla is read, until you can't distinguish between the names of Mordechai (the uncle of Esther) and Haman (the bad guy.)
The second band had a gorgeous girl singer, and we sang some songs before starting to read. We read 2 chapters, then the band played some more music, then I started. My chapter is where Haman is introduced, and during the reading, whenever Haman's name is mentioned, everybody makes noise! (Anybody remember PeeWee's Playhouse? "Whenever somebody says the secret word, everybody scream real loud!") So every time I read "Haman" it was crazy! I got through it, not my finest hour, but perfectly acceptable, and after, Rabbi Azari did his sweet shpiel about me being new to Beit Daniel, etc.
I repaired to the drinks table--there was lots of vodka, but no cups! Fortunately I had my nearly empty water bottle! I had my drink, and enjoyed the rest of the reading. One of the women who read has become my new ideal--she read with such ease and humor, and when she got to the appropriate place in the text switched the tune to the kid's song with the same words! She was amazing!
At the end, the band started playing in earnest, and we all danced and sang and had a wonderful time. There was a rendition of "Ani Ma'amin" ("I Believe"--text that originated during the Holocaust, and usually is set to solemn music) that rocked!
OK, so it wasn't "Shushan Surfari Dreamin'" or "Shushan 'Cross the Mersey" or "Ahhhhh-hashverosh!" But for years I have been making Purim mine...this year Purim made me its!
Next day, the readers assembled at a retirement home in Tel Aviv, and did the reading again, not so rowdy, but enjoyed just the same.
I took lots of pictures, but only have posted a few--I'll put more on if people request it!
Personally, I was helping host the Prima Vista choir of the Musicschule of Leverkusen Germany. Galron and Prima Vista performed at the Kol Rinah choral festival at Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Yankele Schreibman and I met them and had a tour of Hadassah hospital, and I traveled with them on a tour of the north, around the Kineret, up on the Golan Heights (they are really high, and accessible only by a 2-lane road that snaked and hairpinned its way up. I'm glad I went by bus, because I think I would not like to drive it!) All through this beautiful land there are land mines and bunkers left from the war.
Later that day we toured some sites important to Christians, and then traveled to Nazareth Illit, to tour a chocolate factory and then perform at a nursing home (they performed, I carried music stands and ran for water!)
I was also preparing to chant chapter 3 of the book of Esther at Beit Daniel. I borrowed a kimono from my friend Pnina Gershony, and Thursday evening went to Tel Aviv, hoping people would be dressed up, hoping I would be OK. The synagogue was MOBBED! At 6 they had a party in the sanctuary for kids and parents, with a live band, and tons of food and things for sale. When I arrived at 7:45 the party was still going on, and everybody was dressed in some kind of costume! We settled down for a short evening service, but the hilarity continued--the cantor led the Chatzi Kaddish to the tune of "Ani Purim!"
Then we all went downstairs to the social hall for the megilla reading (here starts some background for those who have never experienced Purim in community.) There were cushions, low chairs and other chairs all over the room, with space for another band, and the table where we readers would sit. Tables lined the walls and were scattered among the seats, filled with food, wine, vodka and fruit juices (you are supposed to drink as the megilla is read, until you can't distinguish between the names of Mordechai (the uncle of Esther) and Haman (the bad guy.)
The second band had a gorgeous girl singer, and we sang some songs before starting to read. We read 2 chapters, then the band played some more music, then I started. My chapter is where Haman is introduced, and during the reading, whenever Haman's name is mentioned, everybody makes noise! (Anybody remember PeeWee's Playhouse? "Whenever somebody says the secret word, everybody scream real loud!") So every time I read "Haman" it was crazy! I got through it, not my finest hour, but perfectly acceptable, and after, Rabbi Azari did his sweet shpiel about me being new to Beit Daniel, etc.
I repaired to the drinks table--there was lots of vodka, but no cups! Fortunately I had my nearly empty water bottle! I had my drink, and enjoyed the rest of the reading. One of the women who read has become my new ideal--she read with such ease and humor, and when she got to the appropriate place in the text switched the tune to the kid's song with the same words! She was amazing!
At the end, the band started playing in earnest, and we all danced and sang and had a wonderful time. There was a rendition of "Ani Ma'amin" ("I Believe"--text that originated during the Holocaust, and usually is set to solemn music) that rocked!
OK, so it wasn't "Shushan Surfari Dreamin'" or "Shushan 'Cross the Mersey" or "Ahhhhh-hashverosh!" But for years I have been making Purim mine...this year Purim made me its!
Next day, the readers assembled at a retirement home in Tel Aviv, and did the reading again, not so rowdy, but enjoyed just the same.
I took lots of pictures, but only have posted a few--I'll put more on if people request it!
Beit Daniel, the Next Chapter
I am a regular at Beit Daniel services, now, leading parts of each Friday service (sometimes all) and generally having the second aliyah in the morning service. I'm starting to learn the melodies I don't know, and the texts I need to know. I take a different music book with me each week to try to either identify what tune they are using, or where I can find an alternative. A lot of little blue and red and green stickies! But I know that I can "cobble" together a Friday evening and Saturday morning service that will do.
I'm meeting the congregation members, a few at a time. And getting to know the cantor and rabbis. Everyone is very sweet, supportive, completely accepting. But what is my status?
Tonight I learned!
I went to the erev Shabbat service, was prepared to introduce a new melody for Oseh Shalom (Jeff Klepper's, which TBS loved.) I was thinking it would be better to do it when there was a busload of Americans (we have them 2-3 times a month) because the Americans would know it. As I parked my car, 4 busloads of people were going into the building--all Americans! (How many signs do I need?) We had 600 people at the service! One of them was Leon Sher, a prominent cantorial soloist from the states who has written some nice melodies for the liturgy. I had met him at the Zamir Choral Fest a few years ago--reintroduced myself, then the service started.
Time came for the silent prayer, and after, time for me. Swallowed the butterflies (parparim in Hebrew!) and hummed the Oseh Shalom as an introduction to my Hebrew version of "May the Words," then sang that, and when I went into Oseh Shalom for real--fully 450 people sang with me! I dipped in and out of the soprano harmony, and what fun we had!
Back to my seat, most relieved and so happy!
During the announcements, Rabbi Azari thanked me, said that I made aliyah a year ago, and have been helping out in Beit Daniel services, and that when the congregation in Jaffo is developed, Cindy will be part of it!! In front of all of those witnesses! Now I know.
For Adon Olam, Rabbi Azari asked if there were any cantorial soloists among the guests--I pointed at Leon, and he was invited to come up to help lead the closing song, and then, so was I! It was one LOUD closing song, but again, such fun!
After, Leon thanked me, and remembered that we had met at the Choral Fest. We talked about how we had heard that the Israeli Reform synagogues all had their own melodies--then we had Debbie Friedman's Ahavat Olam, and others! At the kiddush people were lovely as usual.
Rabbah Galia asked me how it went--good, good! Then she told me how impressed she has been by my flexibility and assertiveness in being part of each service. And how the congregation loves me--how many people have talked to her about me. I am so grateful, for so much.
Now, it won't a "job" as it was at TBS. There is no "Hebrew" school--the kids already know that! No religious school... So a big component of an American congregation is not an issue here. I'll be paid on a "per service" basis, as I was when I started this amazing journey 10 years ago. So what? That's how they do it here! But what potential! It's very exciting to be involved in bringing the sweetness of the Reform movement to Israel! They are "feeling their ways" and have accepted me as a fellow pioneer. Still a little unreal. No, still COMPLETELY unreal. Only it is real, and mine.
PS--I will be chanting a chapter of Esther for Purim. When I checked it in my "big book" (parents of my former students will know this!) another "sign"--the chapter starts with the 5 verses I always chanted at TBS.
I'm meeting the congregation members, a few at a time. And getting to know the cantor and rabbis. Everyone is very sweet, supportive, completely accepting. But what is my status?
Tonight I learned!
I went to the erev Shabbat service, was prepared to introduce a new melody for Oseh Shalom (Jeff Klepper's, which TBS loved.) I was thinking it would be better to do it when there was a busload of Americans (we have them 2-3 times a month) because the Americans would know it. As I parked my car, 4 busloads of people were going into the building--all Americans! (How many signs do I need?) We had 600 people at the service! One of them was Leon Sher, a prominent cantorial soloist from the states who has written some nice melodies for the liturgy. I had met him at the Zamir Choral Fest a few years ago--reintroduced myself, then the service started.
Time came for the silent prayer, and after, time for me. Swallowed the butterflies (parparim in Hebrew!) and hummed the Oseh Shalom as an introduction to my Hebrew version of "May the Words," then sang that, and when I went into Oseh Shalom for real--fully 450 people sang with me! I dipped in and out of the soprano harmony, and what fun we had!
Back to my seat, most relieved and so happy!
During the announcements, Rabbi Azari thanked me, said that I made aliyah a year ago, and have been helping out in Beit Daniel services, and that when the congregation in Jaffo is developed, Cindy will be part of it!! In front of all of those witnesses! Now I know.
For Adon Olam, Rabbi Azari asked if there were any cantorial soloists among the guests--I pointed at Leon, and he was invited to come up to help lead the closing song, and then, so was I! It was one LOUD closing song, but again, such fun!
After, Leon thanked me, and remembered that we had met at the Choral Fest. We talked about how we had heard that the Israeli Reform synagogues all had their own melodies--then we had Debbie Friedman's Ahavat Olam, and others! At the kiddush people were lovely as usual.
Rabbah Galia asked me how it went--good, good! Then she told me how impressed she has been by my flexibility and assertiveness in being part of each service. And how the congregation loves me--how many people have talked to her about me. I am so grateful, for so much.
Now, it won't a "job" as it was at TBS. There is no "Hebrew" school--the kids already know that! No religious school... So a big component of an American congregation is not an issue here. I'll be paid on a "per service" basis, as I was when I started this amazing journey 10 years ago. So what? That's how they do it here! But what potential! It's very exciting to be involved in bringing the sweetness of the Reform movement to Israel! They are "feeling their ways" and have accepted me as a fellow pioneer. Still a little unreal. No, still COMPLETELY unreal. Only it is real, and mine.
PS--I will be chanting a chapter of Esther for Purim. When I checked it in my "big book" (parents of my former students will know this!) another "sign"--the chapter starts with the 5 verses I always chanted at TBS.
Old News to Me, But Not to You!
My second chance leading the service at Beit Daniel, 2 weeks ago. On the supplement, instead of "Guest Chazzanit" they just put "Chazzanit"--wonder if that means anything? It went really well, even though I worked with a young guy with a guitar--and no rehearsal!
Aside from a misunderstanding about the length and content of one song (oh, I am really blowing with the wind now!) and me skipping a verse on another, (oops!) on the whole it went VERY well, and it was nice to have a partner. We worked with the female rabbi, and she was very sweet and organized (and my original champion.)
After, I did the kiddush (though I didn't know they wanted me to, and took my sweet time getting downstairs!) and then everybody wanted to talk to me. SO many nice comments (voice, music, service,) and a few that really meant something special. Several said how much they enjoy my services, what a nice change it makes from the cantor and how I seemed more relaxed tonight, which made them more comfortable. (They didn't know I spent the WHOLE DAY SHAKING with fear. Literally.) I don't know where this fear comes from, but it has been my companion for so many years. If only I could make it my friend. We'll see if I live long enough!
To the cantor, who gave me a bear hug--I asked if it was better, he said "MUCH better, in fact on another level entirely!" and then went on to praise (again--he loves it) the Yihyu L'Ratzon that goes into the Hirsh Oseh Shalom. He thinks it isn't long enough and wants me to make it longer with a solo for me at the end because "with the clapping and singing they forget how you made them feel at the beginning!" Well!
And then a woman came up, and we 3 talked, and she said to me, "do you have the siddur Hebrew?" and the cantor said, "oh, yes, she has it all!" (Oy, did I knock on wood then!) That was one of the things that brought my "score" on the first service WAY down--the pronunciation. Then the head rabbi, I asked how it was, better than the last time? "Oh, yes, yes! I enjoyed the service very much!" So I feel pretty good!
Then a lovely dinner at my dear friend, sister, Aliza's--can that woman cook! I helped with the dishes and made myself a refrigerator dish of leftovers for Sunday when I work! Nice to be at a place where I know where the refrigerator dishes are, and can feel free to make a doggy bag!
That catches us up to the next post, which already I wrote!
Aside from a misunderstanding about the length and content of one song (oh, I am really blowing with the wind now!) and me skipping a verse on another, (oops!) on the whole it went VERY well, and it was nice to have a partner. We worked with the female rabbi, and she was very sweet and organized (and my original champion.)
After, I did the kiddush (though I didn't know they wanted me to, and took my sweet time getting downstairs!) and then everybody wanted to talk to me. SO many nice comments (voice, music, service,) and a few that really meant something special. Several said how much they enjoy my services, what a nice change it makes from the cantor and how I seemed more relaxed tonight, which made them more comfortable. (They didn't know I spent the WHOLE DAY SHAKING with fear. Literally.) I don't know where this fear comes from, but it has been my companion for so many years. If only I could make it my friend. We'll see if I live long enough!
To the cantor, who gave me a bear hug--I asked if it was better, he said "MUCH better, in fact on another level entirely!" and then went on to praise (again--he loves it) the Yihyu L'Ratzon that goes into the Hirsh Oseh Shalom. He thinks it isn't long enough and wants me to make it longer with a solo for me at the end because "with the clapping and singing they forget how you made them feel at the beginning!" Well!
And then a woman came up, and we 3 talked, and she said to me, "do you have the siddur Hebrew?" and the cantor said, "oh, yes, she has it all!" (Oy, did I knock on wood then!) That was one of the things that brought my "score" on the first service WAY down--the pronunciation. Then the head rabbi, I asked how it was, better than the last time? "Oh, yes, yes! I enjoyed the service very much!" So I feel pretty good!
Then a lovely dinner at my dear friend, sister, Aliza's--can that woman cook! I helped with the dishes and made myself a refrigerator dish of leftovers for Sunday when I work! Nice to be at a place where I know where the refrigerator dishes are, and can feel free to make a doggy bag!
That catches us up to the next post, which already I wrote!
Sheleg Al Iri-Snow on My Town
I watched the news on TV and internet, and when I knew it was snowing in Jerusalem and the North, I grabbed my keys and my camera, hopped in the car, and went there! Drove through pelting rain, hail, fierce winds, up into the mountains, absolutely SURE that I wouldn't see any snow. But as I rounded the last curve to Ein Kerem, I could see white!
But I wanted to see it on the Old City, so into town I went. The snow had been about 4 inches thick, but by the time I got there was turning to heavy slush. Messy, and the roads were bad even by Columbus standards, but I made it, and on the way caught a few pictures. Made my way to the Goldman Promenade, to see what I could of the old city and the mosques.
I'm generally a bad photographer, but I have some good software, and I think the results were pretty good!
But I wanted to see it on the Old City, so into town I went. The snow had been about 4 inches thick, but by the time I got there was turning to heavy slush. Messy, and the roads were bad even by Columbus standards, but I made it, and on the way caught a few pictures. Made my way to the Goldman Promenade, to see what I could of the old city and the mosques.
I'm generally a bad photographer, but I have some good software, and I think the results were pretty good!
Shabbat shalom!
Things are progressing at Beit Daniel. I am now singing parts of every Friday evening service, and attending Saturday morning and Musaf services regularly, learning the "flow" of the services.
It has been a little frustrating, because I have had trouble connecting with the rabbi about my services, and I like to KNOW what I am doing (even though I seldom do!)
I had been trying to confirm my next solo service, unsuccessfully for 2 weeks. And last week I still had not heard from them, but I dressed and put on a good attitude and went for the choir "audition" for the rabbi and cantor. For the service itself, I was prepared to do MiChamocha and Hashkiveinu (a new one I have been working on for weeks.) But I didn't know if they wanted me to do them or what!
I have this vision of myself at that person--the one nobody really wants but who nobody has the guts to tell them. But still I go.
The choir was good, rabbi and cantor very happy. After, I talked to the rabbi--he hadn't received any of my messages!!! He asked me to be patient and that we would continue to do parts of the service for a while--so OK!! Then I talked to the cantor about the service later that evening, he said my choices were fine, and that I should be prepared to step in because he was sick! I said, "sure!!" (But you simply cannot imagine how terrified I became at that moment!)
But the cantor did fine, the old performance adrenalin that has served me so well served him too! So at the appropriate time I went up and did the one Nick and I did the whole last year I was at TBS. I did it the other service, too, and it was new, but people got it by the end. But that was months ago, and I didn't know if they would sing. But they did!! And smiled, and then I chazzaned the last part of MiCham. and went into the new Hashkiveinu...they loved that too! I got ready to go back to my seat, but the cantor said, "Hey--do VeShamru, too!" So I said "sure!," and everybody had a chuckle, we sang, and then I was done! Whew...
After the service, lots of strokes. I guess I really am on the team. I really can't express how terrifying this is. All the people from my past who told me I couldn't do the things I wanted to do are still in my head. The fact that I converted, that I don't know anything, that I have no business even trying this...it's all there, never goes away. I know there is no "lightening bolt" but still I wait for it!
This morning I arrived a little late, walked into the sanctuary, and the rabbi and cantor were talking with a guy who had his back to me. I greeted people, then went to my usual seat. The guy came to sit behind me--it was Doug Cotler! For those who don't know him, he is a soloist at a big synagogue in California, a prolific composer of beautiful Jewish music, such as "Listen" and "Standing on the Shoulders" and many more. I performed with him (with the choir) when he came to Temple Beth Shalom a number of years ago. So I stood up and said, "Doug?" and we started talking. His congregation is here on a trip, and there they were to see a Reform service here.
He taught the congregation "Amar Rabbi Akiva" which I haven't sung in too long. ( I will use it as an opening song sometime soon!) I had the second aliyah, and Doug's whole group came up to do the next! All in all it was a lovely morning, and I talked to everyone during the kiddush, met the rabbi, posed for pictures (feeling a little like Forrest Gump!)
I had a taste of what it will be like at Beit Daniel--a "mecca" for Reform congregations from the US and the rest of the world. Who knows who else I will see?
It has been a little frustrating, because I have had trouble connecting with the rabbi about my services, and I like to KNOW what I am doing (even though I seldom do!)
I had been trying to confirm my next solo service, unsuccessfully for 2 weeks. And last week I still had not heard from them, but I dressed and put on a good attitude and went for the choir "audition" for the rabbi and cantor. For the service itself, I was prepared to do MiChamocha and Hashkiveinu (a new one I have been working on for weeks.) But I didn't know if they wanted me to do them or what!
I have this vision of myself at that person--the one nobody really wants but who nobody has the guts to tell them. But still I go.
The choir was good, rabbi and cantor very happy. After, I talked to the rabbi--he hadn't received any of my messages!!! He asked me to be patient and that we would continue to do parts of the service for a while--so OK!! Then I talked to the cantor about the service later that evening, he said my choices were fine, and that I should be prepared to step in because he was sick! I said, "sure!!" (But you simply cannot imagine how terrified I became at that moment!)
But the cantor did fine, the old performance adrenalin that has served me so well served him too! So at the appropriate time I went up and did the one Nick and I did the whole last year I was at TBS. I did it the other service, too, and it was new, but people got it by the end. But that was months ago, and I didn't know if they would sing. But they did!! And smiled, and then I chazzaned the last part of MiCham. and went into the new Hashkiveinu...they loved that too! I got ready to go back to my seat, but the cantor said, "Hey--do VeShamru, too!" So I said "sure!," and everybody had a chuckle, we sang, and then I was done! Whew...
After the service, lots of strokes. I guess I really am on the team. I really can't express how terrifying this is. All the people from my past who told me I couldn't do the things I wanted to do are still in my head. The fact that I converted, that I don't know anything, that I have no business even trying this...it's all there, never goes away. I know there is no "lightening bolt" but still I wait for it!
This morning I arrived a little late, walked into the sanctuary, and the rabbi and cantor were talking with a guy who had his back to me. I greeted people, then went to my usual seat. The guy came to sit behind me--it was Doug Cotler! For those who don't know him, he is a soloist at a big synagogue in California, a prolific composer of beautiful Jewish music, such as "Listen" and "Standing on the Shoulders" and many more. I performed with him (with the choir) when he came to Temple Beth Shalom a number of years ago. So I stood up and said, "Doug?" and we started talking. His congregation is here on a trip, and there they were to see a Reform service here.
He taught the congregation "Amar Rabbi Akiva" which I haven't sung in too long. ( I will use it as an opening song sometime soon!) I had the second aliyah, and Doug's whole group came up to do the next! All in all it was a lovely morning, and I talked to everyone during the kiddush, met the rabbi, posed for pictures (feeling a little like Forrest Gump!)
I had a taste of what it will be like at Beit Daniel--a "mecca" for Reform congregations from the US and the rest of the world. Who knows who else I will see?
Festival Sovev Kineret
Several weeks ago I went, with Pnina Gershoni, to a festival of Israeli music held at the bottom tip of the Kineret (Sea of Galilee.) Attendance was open only to members of Mila, the Israeli society of choirs, choral groups, and a professional organization for conductors. I had been hearing about festivals like this one, but had no idea what it would be like. For about $250 we got 2 nights at a very nice kibbutz guest house, breakfast and dinner for 2 days, and entrance to the festival events. The first night we were treated to a concert by HaKol Over Chabibi, an amazing singing group backed by an incredibly talented band that could have stood on its own. Before the concert we found Aliza, and a whisper went through the crowd "There's sachlab!!" and a general rush to get some. It's a thinnish hot pudding made from milk and powdered vanilla orchid root. Sprinkle the top with grated coconut and chopped peanuts, and eat with a spoon. It was good, but I'll have to have more to understand why everyone was so excited!
The next day there were sessions where different choirs performed (all "amateurs" performing Israeli music arranged by their conductors.) Some ok, some not so much. You could see the influence the conductor had over the quality of the singing and the arrangements. (Pnina, Aliza and I thought Galron should have been there--we would have blown them all away!) (If we do say so ourselves!)
A presentation about Rachel Shapiro and Leah Goldberg (2 extremely prolific poets whose work has become the "Israeli songbook") featuring Dafna Zahavi (David's daughter) and Gabi Argov (Sasha's daughter-in-law and pianist for Koleinu when we were here) and another concert in the evening.
Basically it was an intensive 2 days of music! I knew about 30% of the songs, had at least heard another 30%--not bad for a newcomer, I think!
After the fest Pnina and I, Aliza and her husband Tzvika, and Avi Faintoch (Director of Mila and of Galron) and his daughter Gal had a little tour on the way home. First we climbed and climbed this huge mountain, bare of trees, until we got to the top--Kochav HaYarden, the ruins of a Crusader fortress with a view of the whole valley, clear across to Jordan! It's a national park, where they run a bird sanctuary especially devoted to griffin vultures. I got a very good picture of a pair.
Then to Beit Shean, a settlement first occupied in the 5th millenium B.C.E. Later it was a seat of government for the Egyptians, and was where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed after the battle at Mt. Gilboa. Throughout the centuries it was conquered and destroyed by invaders. Its citizens changed with the ages, too, going from Jewish to Egyptian, Assyrian and back to Jewish. When the Romans took over, pagans, Jews, and Samaritans lived together, and great public buildings went up, including an immense amphitheater. The whole place was mostly destroyed by a huge earthquake in 749 C.E.
They have been excavating since the 1920s--it truly is an amazing place.
Then lunch in an Arab village near Mt. Tabor--at least 20 different salads, wonderful breads, a leg of veal that had been boned and then stuffed with savory rice; a pie stuffed with kabobs and vegetables; thin, tiny lamb chops; the best falafel I have had yet. Needless to say I didn't need dinner that night!
The next day there were sessions where different choirs performed (all "amateurs" performing Israeli music arranged by their conductors.) Some ok, some not so much. You could see the influence the conductor had over the quality of the singing and the arrangements. (Pnina, Aliza and I thought Galron should have been there--we would have blown them all away!) (If we do say so ourselves!)
A presentation about Rachel Shapiro and Leah Goldberg (2 extremely prolific poets whose work has become the "Israeli songbook") featuring Dafna Zahavi (David's daughter) and Gabi Argov (Sasha's daughter-in-law and pianist for Koleinu when we were here) and another concert in the evening.
Basically it was an intensive 2 days of music! I knew about 30% of the songs, had at least heard another 30%--not bad for a newcomer, I think!
After the fest Pnina and I, Aliza and her husband Tzvika, and Avi Faintoch (Director of Mila and of Galron) and his daughter Gal had a little tour on the way home. First we climbed and climbed this huge mountain, bare of trees, until we got to the top--Kochav HaYarden, the ruins of a Crusader fortress with a view of the whole valley, clear across to Jordan! It's a national park, where they run a bird sanctuary especially devoted to griffin vultures. I got a very good picture of a pair.
Then to Beit Shean, a settlement first occupied in the 5th millenium B.C.E. Later it was a seat of government for the Egyptians, and was where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed after the battle at Mt. Gilboa. Throughout the centuries it was conquered and destroyed by invaders. Its citizens changed with the ages, too, going from Jewish to Egyptian, Assyrian and back to Jewish. When the Romans took over, pagans, Jews, and Samaritans lived together, and great public buildings went up, including an immense amphitheater. The whole place was mostly destroyed by a huge earthquake in 749 C.E.
They have been excavating since the 1920s--it truly is an amazing place.
Then lunch in an Arab village near Mt. Tabor--at least 20 different salads, wonderful breads, a leg of veal that had been boned and then stuffed with savory rice; a pie stuffed with kabobs and vegetables; thin, tiny lamb chops; the best falafel I have had yet. Needless to say I didn't need dinner that night!
My Other Favorite Subject
Music and food...my favorite subjects! The vegetables here are simply divine, and I have started experimenting. We eat a LOT of salad here, but we don't limit them to just lettuce. So here is a recipe I recently developed. Fennel is mostly water with vitamins and minerals, so you can eat a lot of it without guilt! And eating 5 to 7 walnuts a day reduces your risk of heart disease, increases good cholesterol and decreases the bad.
לבראות "LiVrioot"- to your health!
Yummy Fennel Salad
6-8 small servings
2 large bulbs fennel
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 tablespoons fresh zahtar (hyssop) or marjoram, or chopped parsley
3/4 cup California walnuts
(1) In a medium saucepan, heat 3 cups water to boiling. While the water heats, wash the fennel bulbs, cut off any green parts. Cut bulbs into quarters and remove the cores. Slice the fennel, and put into the boiling water for 5 minutes (no more!), then remove and drain well.
(2) While the fennel is still hot, place it in a non-reactive container, add the lemon juice and olive oil, and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper (don’t skimp) and the zahtar, and mix again. Can be made ahead to this point; refrigerate.
(3) Chop the walnuts very coarsely, place into a shallow skillet over medium heat, and toast, stirring very often, until nuts are crisp and golden brown. Do not leave them while toasting—they will burn very easily.
(4) Before serving, toss the toasted walnuts with the fennel, taste again and add more salt and pepper if needed. Can be served cold or at room temperature, but I always eat one serving while it is warm!
לבראות "LiVrioot"- to your health!
Yummy Fennel Salad
6-8 small servings
2 large bulbs fennel
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 tablespoons fresh zahtar (hyssop) or marjoram, or chopped parsley
3/4 cup California walnuts
(1) In a medium saucepan, heat 3 cups water to boiling. While the water heats, wash the fennel bulbs, cut off any green parts. Cut bulbs into quarters and remove the cores. Slice the fennel, and put into the boiling water for 5 minutes (no more!), then remove and drain well.
(2) While the fennel is still hot, place it in a non-reactive container, add the lemon juice and olive oil, and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper (don’t skimp) and the zahtar, and mix again. Can be made ahead to this point; refrigerate.
(3) Chop the walnuts very coarsely, place into a shallow skillet over medium heat, and toast, stirring very often, until nuts are crisp and golden brown. Do not leave them while toasting—they will burn very easily.
(4) Before serving, toss the toasted walnuts with the fennel, taste again and add more salt and pepper if needed. Can be served cold or at room temperature, but I always eat one serving while it is warm!
Onward and Upward
Just a note before we begin: Now that I have to work and study, I have less time to synthesize and write. Therefore, this blog will become less "epistle-y" and more "bloggy" (without the rants and politics and telling you what I ate for dinner!) You can "unsubscribe" by replying to the email.
After feeling a little like moving here will mean that I never get to serve a congregation again, there is some news.
I had another meeting with the rabbi at the Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv, to try to see what they had planned, if I was "in" or "out" or what. He finally told me what I needed to hear-that he and the other staff and the congregation love my voice and manner on the bima.
That they were 2 years behind in their plans to expand the Jaffo congregation because they couldn't find a cantor.
That they already rejected 5 other cantors because the congregation didn't like them.
That they want somebody who can expand the services and contact with the congregation and greater community, who understands that Friday evening is warm and fuzzy with people who want to be there, but that the bar mitzvah services on Saturdays and other days consisted of 150 guests and 5 congregants. (Gee, that sounds familiar!)
That I just need to tell him which parts of the service I want to do each week (this week: opening with a hasidic nign, and doing Yihyu l'ratzon and Oseh Shalom) in any of the 4 services, until I am ready to do a whole one. (The first was sort of like jumping into an empty swimming pool--I landed on my feet, but it was pretty rough! I have learned A LOT since then!)
So I just need to get working, on some repertoire and the Hebrew. I can tell you I feel a lot more motivated now! And I will do another erev Shabbat service in a month.
I stressed that I didn't want to step on Freddy's (the cantor) feet. Rabbi Azari told me that he (the rabbi) had built the congregation over 20 years from nothing, brought in the 2 other rabbis (one is a woman) and if he could let others in, Freddy had better do it too! (But I have made Freddy into a friend-partly because I treat him as if he has forgotten more service stuff than I ever will know...which is true!)
So it is mine for the taking. Really almost like 10 years ago, though I am starting with some repertoire at least, some knowledge and a lot of "bima time," even if it is American Reform and not quite what I need here. I am in for some hard and scary experiences...just as I had in Columbus. And now I really have to learn the language! I can't just fake it as I could in Columbus, because nobody except Rabbi Apothaker knew the difference!
You all know me-I am not afraid, I don't know what I am doing, but somehow I will make it. (I just can't think too much!)
Working on a new Hashkiveinu, one by Isaacson from L'Maasei Breishit--which has singable chazanut and nearly all the right words from the siddur--just have to replace one line. This is the hardest part--finding stuff I can do without accompaniment, in Hebrew, with the same words as the siddur, or which can be stretched or shrunk to fit what is there. I'm so glad I bought as many books as I did. And that on Yom Kippur I just made up melodies to fit the texts. Exhiliarating! So off I go to study. Happy New Year!
After feeling a little like moving here will mean that I never get to serve a congregation again, there is some news.
I had another meeting with the rabbi at the Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv, to try to see what they had planned, if I was "in" or "out" or what. He finally told me what I needed to hear-that he and the other staff and the congregation love my voice and manner on the bima.
That they were 2 years behind in their plans to expand the Jaffo congregation because they couldn't find a cantor.
That they already rejected 5 other cantors because the congregation didn't like them.
That they want somebody who can expand the services and contact with the congregation and greater community, who understands that Friday evening is warm and fuzzy with people who want to be there, but that the bar mitzvah services on Saturdays and other days consisted of 150 guests and 5 congregants. (Gee, that sounds familiar!)
That I just need to tell him which parts of the service I want to do each week (this week: opening with a hasidic nign, and doing Yihyu l'ratzon and Oseh Shalom) in any of the 4 services, until I am ready to do a whole one. (The first was sort of like jumping into an empty swimming pool--I landed on my feet, but it was pretty rough! I have learned A LOT since then!)
So I just need to get working, on some repertoire and the Hebrew. I can tell you I feel a lot more motivated now! And I will do another erev Shabbat service in a month.
I stressed that I didn't want to step on Freddy's (the cantor) feet. Rabbi Azari told me that he (the rabbi) had built the congregation over 20 years from nothing, brought in the 2 other rabbis (one is a woman) and if he could let others in, Freddy had better do it too! (But I have made Freddy into a friend-partly because I treat him as if he has forgotten more service stuff than I ever will know...which is true!)
So it is mine for the taking. Really almost like 10 years ago, though I am starting with some repertoire at least, some knowledge and a lot of "bima time," even if it is American Reform and not quite what I need here. I am in for some hard and scary experiences...just as I had in Columbus. And now I really have to learn the language! I can't just fake it as I could in Columbus, because nobody except Rabbi Apothaker knew the difference!
You all know me-I am not afraid, I don't know what I am doing, but somehow I will make it. (I just can't think too much!)
Working on a new Hashkiveinu, one by Isaacson from L'Maasei Breishit--which has singable chazanut and nearly all the right words from the siddur--just have to replace one line. This is the hardest part--finding stuff I can do without accompaniment, in Hebrew, with the same words as the siddur, or which can be stretched or shrunk to fit what is there. I'm so glad I bought as many books as I did. And that on Yom Kippur I just made up melodies to fit the texts. Exhiliarating! So off I go to study. Happy New Year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)