 Holy Sparks
Chevre (friends),
Beginnings. We start a new week today, and reflect on the beginning of beginnings, the first day of Creation.
As you might imagine, I've done my share of reflecting on the idea of creation as I've shared these weekly "countdown to Shabbat" emails with you for the past 16 months.
Today, there seems to be the spark of creation in the air, though. The new month of Elul begins on Tuesday, counting towards the High Holy Days. Today is Sunday, the week's beginning, and I've just returned from Boston, presenting at a conference of Jewish educators called NewCAJE that represents a re-birth of a former organization that was a casualty of the economic downturn.
CAJE (Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education) began in 1976 when 350 Woodstock-generation Jewish educators met at Brown University to consider alternatives to traditional Jewish education and to share ideas. At its prime, over a 33 year history, CAJE attracted over 2500 attendees to their annual conference, and it became a North American family for educators of all ages and representing all movements of Judaism.
This year, about 350 people convened at NewCAJE, spawned in a grass-roots effort by former attendees who were committed to hold onto the unique experience of united Jewish educators. Just as the Creation story relates the "earth-birth" from chaos to certainty, I have watched and participated in the evolution of NewCAJE during the past eighteen months, from dream to reality, since the closing of CAJE in early 2009.
Such is the nature of creation in all of life, from the intangible burst of an idea to the physical reality of completion. We can participate in this process each week, nurturing and nourishing personal thought-forms and dreams through their unique genesis towards reality.
One of my business mentors once told me that the magic of a viable business is actually the ability to "make money". Through the conceptualizing of taking raw materials and adding value to it through labor and love, something of higher value emerges. Each of us is empowered and charged with this same ability, taking raw materials, our sparks of vision and labor, and re-ordering it into something new, valuable and memorable. Not only can we "make money", but we also can repair the brokenness around us, resolve conflict and inspire those who surround us.
There is a Kabbalistic (Jewish mysticism) idea that describes the beginning of the universe, the first day of Creation, as Sheviret HaKelim (Shattering of the Vessels). From this opening-moment explosion, sparks were released, and the notion of Tikkun (Holy Repair) was born.
In the 16th century, Kabbalist Isaac Luria proposed the radical idea that the universe was not created in an orderly process, but rather, from a cataclysmic event (which parallels the Big Bang theory embraced by modern particle physics).
It is my experience and belief that we can mirror this process, seizing flashes of inspiration and motivation, revealing and releasing our own Divine Sparks in new ways, conceiving and birthing new gifts, making everyday moments meaningful. Each of us can release our Holy Sparks. The whole week is ahead, anything is possible.
Don't forget to join us for our next Shabbat music worship on August 13th, with guest EJ Cohen, from London, England.
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Shalom,
Arnie Davidson
Worship Leader
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 High Holy Days - 5771
Chevre (friends),
Thirty-two Days Until High Holy Days 5771. Rosh Hashanah is early in September on 9/9/10. Often
we get lost in the warmth and relaxation of summer, postponing our
"return" to the reality of the High Holy Days until September. Last
year, we had that luxury when Rosh Hashanah fell on September 20th.
This year, Rosh Hashanah is just a few days past Labor Day. The time to
plan is now.
Join us at our first High Holy Day music worship service this year at a location in central Glastonbury. (Click for details.)
About our High Holy Day music worship. I have carefully selected a "bimah team", worship leaders who will encourage participation, surround our space with beautiful music from the heart, and are wholly capable of embracing our vision of blending the traditional with the dynamic and fresh.
The High Holy Days music worship at Shir Hamakom will extend the culture and music of our community into a new place of prayer, full of new insight, traditional chanting, familiar music and the opportunity to slow down and reflect.
Our theme for these Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) will be "Lev Tahor", a "pure heart". Our journey together will invite quiet moments of reflection as well as the full spirit of community, I personally invite you to join us into a music worship experience that I guarantee, will be a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that speaks to you in a new and memorable way, and leaves you filled with spirit and song, rejuvenated for the coming new year..
Click Here for additional information on our High Holy Days worship schedule.
Click here for information on supporting Shir Hamakom, and High Holy Day guest passes.
For this, our first Shir Hamakom High Holy Days music worship, space will be limited and we are not able to accommodate walk-in worshipers. It is important that you contact us soon to ensure your seat. I look forward to seeing and welcoming you there.
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AUGUST SHABBAT MUSIC WORSHIP
End
the work-week and welcome Shabbat with friends on August 13th with guest EJ Cohen, a gifted musician, educator and interpreter for the Deaf.
We
begin with wine and cheese and friendly conversation at 5:30 PM. Our
music worship is from 6:20 to 7:30. Mark the date and bring a friend.
Shir Hamakom
465 Oak Street
East Hartford, CT 06118
Google Maps
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Join
us for Shabbat dinner on August 13th.
Email us if you
would like to join others at a local restaurant following our music worship. |
Save the Music Worship
Dates!
Take a moment and put Shir Hamakom on your calendar.
Friday, Aug 13, 2010
with special guest EJ Cohen.
 EJ is a performing Jewish
musician, educator and interpreter for the Deaf from London, England, specializing in
interpreting Jewish music. She has toured with Debbie Friedman,
Julie Silver, Beth Schafer, and Josh Nelson in concerts around the
world. She is a vibrant spirit and EJ adds an amazing visual
dimension to worship music.
At our High Holy Day music worship
our cantor will be Robin Sparr-Rothman from Boston and...
our guest musician is Dr. Eileen Ain from New York.
Plan on joining us for this memorable worship experience.
Thursday, Sept 9, 2010 Bagel breakfast (9:15) and Rosh Hashanah music worship (10-noon)
Friday, Sept 17, 2010
Kol Nidrei
Saturday, Sept 18, 2010
Yom Kippur morning worship (10-noon)
Saturday, Sept 18, 2010
Yom Kippur Music, Yizkor, Neilah
Friday, Oct 15, 2010
Friday, Nov 19, 2010
Friday, Dec 10, 2010
Make space in your life for Shabbat with the Shir Hamakom community.
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Havdalah with Julie Silver and a day of Jewish Learning.
 Limmud Boston
Join legendary musician, Julie Silver, and the Shir Hamakom and Limmud communities for Havdalah on Sat. October 30th and participate in a full day of Jewish learning on Sun. October 31st at Limmud Boston.
Only $36 registration for adults, $18 teens, FREE under 12.
Arnie Davidson will be among the many dozens of presenters and performers.
Register and info HERE.
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Shir Hamakom
music worship:
465 Oak Street
East Hartford, CT 06118
mail and donations:
PO Box 271
East Hampton, CT 06424
Please note our new mailing address!
shirhamakom.com
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