 Surrounded.
Chevre (friends), Monday,
Day Two. In Creation, we read of God creating
an expanse between the waters. The Hebrew word is actually "rakiah"
which means more of a "spreading", in the way that a metalsmith might
hammer out a bowl. It may be easier to understand this as more of a separation. Yesterday, Day One, the division was between darkness and
light; today the firmament divides the waters from the waters.
I was recently reading
that we humans are almost 70% water. We are full of it, the
same water which God separates by rakiah, which God then calls "heaven". Could we actually BE the separation between waters, created of water,
surrounded by water, separated by an ever so thin membrane, hammered out
and fashioned by God on Day 2? Each of us desperately seeks to find meaning and to confirm that we have a connection with God, nature and the universe. This may be it.
In chemistry, there is a principle known as the "Law of Conservation of Mass/Matter" stating that in the universe, things rearrange, but are never destroyed. The water and air described in Genesis are the same molecules that we drink and breathe today. Through the generations, we have shared these vital elements with everyone great who has passed through this earth - pretty powerful company that we keep.
We are surrounded
by and composed of water. We find that idea extended over and over in
life. We become what we are surrounded by, held in check by only a
thin film of separation. Like a cell membrane that both shields our DNA from harm, yet allows vital nutrients to pass through, we also have the ability to filter out toxic influences in our environment, and to become permeable and welcoming to nourishment. We do this with our choices, our personal "rakiah" filter, bridging and separating.
Today,
I invite you to examine what surrounds you. Strive to upgrade your influences, to become more through positive association. It
is easy to feel self-important and to gravitate towards those who can
only learn from you. True growth occurs though, when we are surrounded
by people not like us, or less than us, but who resemble the people that we
wish to be.
You are only separated from the outside world by a thin
membrane, your choices of who to invite and who to exclude. In this way, you build the world that you choose to live in.
Consciously strive to surround yourself with nurturing,
vibrant, pure, empowering people and situations. They are the water that
surrounds you and that ultimately defines you. We perhaps spend too much time buying bottled water and Brita filters to ensure that the water that becomes us is pure. I challenge you to give equal weight to removing the toxins in the relationships that surround us. The task might be easier if those around us contained a prominent nutrition label, so that we could visually identify people whose persona was high in trans-fats, MSG or heavy metals. In reality, that probably isn't necessary. Your spiritual radar knows the feeling of being drained-of-spirit by a toxic person.
Surround yourself with hope. Surround yourself with nurturing challenge. Keep your inner waters pure and crystal clear. Surround yourself with Love.
Enjoy this Monday, Day Two.
Five days until Shabbat.
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-one 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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