Beginnings of Summer

My Official Start to Summer

            For many of our children, summer begins when the last exam is completed and their battle-tested backpacks are thrown into the closet until the fall. According to my wall calendar, the first day of summer is today, June 21. This is the day when the most light from the sun will reach our planet during the twenty-four hour journey around our own axis. I will gladly argue that for my internal clock, that yesterday at URJ Crane Lake Camp summer had officially began. Seemingly more light had touched down than any other day for me and I suspect many others. 

Yesterday was Yom Limmud- a day when the faculty, comprised of Rabbis, Cantors, Educators and some on the journey to these roles, come together to be introduced to the staff hired to make meaningful summer experiences for the hundreds of children that will arrive early next week. Many of us veteran faculty members have experienced Yom Limmud in various forms, some more successful than others but all with the goal of imparting some significant instructions to the staff, which is made up of former campers, other American and Israeli Jewish young adults and American and foreign non-Jewish young adults. In a few hours, we faculty are tasked with helping each of these groups gather insight into where they are working, the power each of them have in creating the future of Judaism in both obvious and unsuspecting ways. Each of these groups has a role to play and they all bring key life experiences and vital perspective to the campers who look to them for most things during their time at camp.

This year, we tried and implemented something very new. The program was made up of a collection of other smaller exercises, some of which were not so new, but arranged in such a way to be experiential, to promote free thinking and free choice while remaining to be guided and considerate to our clear overall goals of helping staff grasp the significance of working in a Jewish camp. In a tactile, frontal way we were able to ask difficult questions about God's presence in our lives, about what symbols and seasons we hold dear that might be packed in our suitcase and we discussed how different generations have played a role in making us who we are so we might better understand our roles in shaping the future generations. In one station, single statements about God and belief were put on the walls around the room along with the opportunity to place a sticker on "agree" or "disagree." No justification necessary, no judgement. Just answer. The process would come later. There were no time limits for staff to stop and ponder these questions, and they were able to move on to another area to discuss and explore other activities until ultimately coming together to sort out what they had learned. In another station, they were shown a picture of an empty suitcase and given a list of possible things they would pack that might help identify them including holidays such as Passover, ritual objects like candlesticks and other things which we use to better express who we are. The staff was also asked about where they come from, what cities their parents and grandparents have lived in so they can both visually and cognitively understand how growing up in one part of the world in a particular time in history plays a part in helping us live in this space at this time. While it is not unusual to have had great success with these programs in past years, it is important to express how good it felt this year.

I return year after year to URJ camps because as a professional, there is no greater recharging of my batteries than being around this kind of energy. The love and joy that campers and staff express towards each other is both life changing and life sustaining. But it must start somewhere, and for me- it begins now. It is easy to talk technically about what and how we learned about each other. I also think it is important to let you know how amazing it feels to be around so much light on the day before the first day of summer.

#FacultyTeam78
#URJCraneLake #WhatCantorsDo #URJCamps

Day 4 - SSM Breakfast, Helping a colleague, new music and Banquet.

Waking up in a hotel is not the same as waking up in your own room at home. I rarely sleep under the sheets (general phobia and a need to be slightly cold), but I forgot that I turned the air down to about 69 degrees and woke up under the covers. I think I pulled them over me in my sleep.

I got dressed and made my way down to the School of Sacred Music (SSM) Alumni breakfast, which is held annually at these conventions. Each year, we honor a very deserving individual- with some form of presentation and acknowledgement of their importance to our conference and to the SSM. In years past we have honored Professor Eli Schleifer, Joyce Rosenszweig and this year we honored Professor/Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller.

So, over some quiche, a little blintz, some pastry, fried dough balls and some coffe, we sang Benjie's Psalm 150 and offered some words of praise. I think she handled the attention quite well, given the fact that she is a very humble person.

After breakfast, I had a meeting with a colleague and friend who is putting together a class for her congregation on a subject I have spoken about in the past. It is always very nice to spend time with colleagues, but it is also a wonderful thing to be able to help each other out. Sitting in the hotel at any given time are some of the most capable and knowledgeable people within contemporary cantorial and Jewish musical life. Between the 140 or so cantors and 26 GTM members who attended this conference (plus the presenters and a bunch of vendors), there is a strong collective finger on the pulse of what concerns Jewish music currently. So to spend time with a good friends and to be helpful in any way is a blessing. There have been many times I have sought out the help or advice from one or more of these fine people, and to be on the giving end is a good feeling.

After a quick lunch on-my-own and a leisure stroll on Beale Street, I returned to the hotel to hear some new music. I have to say I am quite impressed with the professional musicianship of the combined choirs used for this demonstration. The vocalists, some of which have never uttered a word in Hebrew in their lives, did a fantastic job. And the music, much of which I will never be able to use in my own congregation, was exquisite. I must give a great deal of credit to the organizers, including Cantor Robbie Solomon and Cantor John Kaplan. I have some videos of this to share.

It was a mad dash to the elevators so we could all quickly change and prepare for the installation service and following banquet. I think that the moment was unique to any other of the installation services I have attended. It was comfortable and 'laid back' and spoke more to the kind of people besides me who were being installed. I have participated in these services in the past, and have found them to be a bit more formal but perhaps that was only my perception. I was very proud to be standing next to a great group of dedicated people who I treasure. I look forward to making a difference together over the next three years.

We left the services, and once again a mad dash to the elevators. It's a quick trip up to the top, where the ducks live, and where we would be eating a fine meal, dancing to all sorts of DJ'ed music and watching the sun set over that villa that the ducks of the Peabody call home.

I even made some new friends. There was a nice couple sitting outside, near the duck palace, and as it turns out they are one-half Memphian and one-half Detroiter. It's always amazing to travel and to run into people who share a link to your past, in some way. We talked for a few good hours over a drink or two downstairs, and I learned a great deal about what it means to be living in Memphis, what it means to take deep pride in where you come from and as always- to be a representative to the Jewish people and to cantors. Let's face it- not everyone knows what a cantor is.

The rest of the evening was a blast. Let's just leave it at that, and you'll have to ask me outside of this blog. I will protect the rights of my co-pilots by remaining brief, and leaving detail to the imagination. I was safe, respectable and did not embarrass myself. It was a nice night to be lose on Beale, with the sights and sounds of the one of the main thing this city has going for it.

Day 3 - Plenary, Workshop and Concert

Wake up! It's 6:30 AM, and you need to shower, dress and work on the BLOG!

Okay.... so flash forward a couple of hours, and let's assume I did all that. I managed to get to services ON TIME and in good voice to help my friend and colleague Cantor Zoe Jacobs in her worship service this morning. I think Zoe is exceptional in so many areas, but what makes her effective more often than not is her ability to insert her whole presence into any moment. She is a very powerful leader, and is capable of moving anyone to be more in the moment. I wish I could pray with her more often. Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller was the keynote speaker and I cannot say enough how much I appreciated what she has said, and what she gave in the form of her teaching this morning. Her messages and urgence to apply the wisdom of Reb Nachman and 'when you see something you don't like in a person at first, look again.' What an important lesson for me to take home, and even more so to apply.

After services, we quickly made our way to breakfast and plenary. Here we do something very natural- eat. But afterward, the very important work we do such as approving our budget and honoring the amazing people who have worked so hard to make this organization the major success which it is. During the previous plenaries I have attended, there were many more debates and a great deal more time spent on approving and discussing board actions and directives. This year was not as heavy with those things, so the meetings were seemingly quick, orderly and pleasant. My all time favorite thing to do during these meetings is to watch the expression of my my very dear friends who sit on the dais. They are often busy keeping minutes, or making sure documents are entered into the order of events. But I can only imagine the fun things that happen on their busy computers, solely between them.

Next it is off to listen to a panel of my colleagues, moderated by Cantor Stephen Richards, who are talking about finding sacred moments in what they do. Each colleague has had a different turn of events in their professional lives which shape them and present a very good spectrum of experience to draw from. Cantor Sara Sager has served in one congregation for over 30 years. She has been the continuity and spiritual force for thousands over her tenure, and is now serving with one of my very dear friends who I grew up with, Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk. Her struggles with changes in liturgical language and form are echoed by many, particularly in her region of the mid-west. But it is her ability to bend like the reed when challenged instead of succumbing to the stresses that make her a model cantor for anyone. Cantor Robbie Solomon is one of my personal heroes and favorite composers to listen to. His contribution to contemporary Jewish music speaks to me and through me so often. He has had a few congregations over his carrer, but he credits his success more often than not to serendipity. He finds strength in moments least expected, though he acknowledges that putting forth an extra bit of effort when we aren't sure we have it within us yields surprisingly strong results. Cantor Jonathan Comisar was a classmate of mine in cantorial school and a brilliant composer of music of the highest aesthetic and pure art. While he appreciates music of all kinds, his serious approach to Jewish music has brought him to live outside the confines of the synagogue world and he has devoted himself to creating works for use in plays, for other cantors and whomever he chooses. Jonathan finds inspiration in many sources, but draws his strength from a handful of very special teachers who have taught him to have a tangible relationship with his surroundings- 'to hug the piano' before he demands that it produce sound. He is a deep soul, and a good person to learn from.

After the panel, I was able to join two panel members for a lite refreshment before needing to return catch buses over to Temple Israel and dinner and a concert. We had dinner, provided by Corky's and it was authentic and delicious! The concert was fun, entertaining and provided the topic for discusion for the remainder of my evening, as I shared precious time with great friends Cantor Seth Warner, a performer from the concert, Cantor Kari Siegel-Eglash and Joe Eglash, owner of OySongs.com and Eglash Creative Group, LLC. I am blessed to know these people, and to have them in my life.

Day 2 - A Day of Social Action

I went to bed early and woke early to work on the video from yesterday. It felt pretty good to get up early, but it will feel even better when you can all see the videos I've been getting ready to vlog with.

After going downstairs, I immediately went into services being five minutes late. The service was an opportunity to welcome one of our keynote speakers, Cantor Steven Richards. I have had the pleasure of seeing Cantor Richards on multiple occasions under multiple conditions, as a student cantor mentoring under Cantor Richard Botton, as a fellow participant in many other capacities at other conventions and perhaps more recently, when Cantor Richards was honored in San Francisco for his years of service to the ACC and we all lovingly and spontaneously sang his R'tzei (a signature piece of his creation, used by many cantors including myself). It was no surprise that when we got to that part of the Amida today, we once again eased into the very familiar sounds of this piece. What a wonderful sound, when so many people are so masterful with the notes and text at the same time

Services finished, and we very quickly needed to board busses, bound for two special locations. First, we went to the National Civil Rights Museum. I had not been thinking about this place- or how it related to our Nation's history in a larger way. But we were walking around the side of the building..... I saw the sign for the 'motel' on the side of the building, just as it looked 42 years ago this past April. I still didn't get it from then name. Then we rounded the corner, onto a large open area covered in pavers. I looked to my right and payed much closer attention to the outside of this old, run-down motel and then I got it. Just before I noticed the assembled groups near the front.. and before I noticed the large wreath all in white outside his room. This was the very spot that Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed. I was on 'sacred ground' for so many and I was only just starting to remind myself why I even got on those busses today. Boy, did I need that wake up call.

We went inside, no photography allowed, to listen to some important words from Rabbi Micah Greenstein who really is an inspired speaker and humanitarian. After that, we had a tour of the museum by a wonderful docent. She knew exactly where to speak to us- from what place within herself, and with the right inflection and pace that made her words even more relevant. I have always been raised to respect and love all people. I have been known to stand up for those whom I felt were being mistreated. But there is a difference between what I attempt to do, and what Dr. King and so many others did for this cause not so long ago. I have a new perspective to draw from besides my upbringing in Detroit.

We were gently but firmly hurried off to the next place of great social importance- the Church Health Center. Do not be fooled by the name. Although the center was founded with the name 'church' it was started with a very generous donation from the Jewish community, with the understanding that it is the responsibility of many to 'reclaim the Church's biblical commitment to care for our bodies and spirits.' Here, they provide health care and wellness care to the residents of this great city who have no other means of health care for many various reasons. For every dollar they spend on treating patients, they spend another dollar on prevention and wellness care, including exercise classes and life-style management, therapy and vast educational offerings. This is a model for any organization, and for any community- rich or poor.

After a meal provided by Whole Foods, we went back to our hotel for work on our respective plenary sessions. It is here that the very important job of our organization takes place. This long but necessary session happens at every convention, because it is a time when we are guaranteed a quorum for large decisions. I am proud to be serving my group as a member, but as of tomorrow I will be a member of the Executive Board of the ACC, not as an officer but as an elected representative for the East A division, which serves the New York and Connecticut communities. I am honored and excited to do this.

Of course, all things seem to gravitate to the services we experience together. I have to admit. I was very distracted this evening, and did not fully engage in the keynote leadership's offering. I was thinking ahead to the next day's service, where I would be joining a friend (as requested) in singing in her ensemble. We needed to rehearse and then make our way to dinner out of the hotel 'on the town.' Things happend, as they tend to happen, and I had to join my group already in progress. This was not a major problem, as I managed to sit down just as the wonderful server was taking the dinner orders. I sat and ate with some truly amazing people. Colleagues who I already love and respect, who are funny and fun, and who do so much to make our organization better. We laughed, ate.... shared.... and there were others who were sitting with us, who became great resources as well. The Young Composer Award winner, Russell Nadel was among us, and as a lover of music and a teacher of music he will be a powerful force for the future of serious and thought provoking art songs to Jewish texts. Believe it or not, this is a dwindling art and his talents as a composer are directly linked to his spirit as a person. I enjoyed my evening with him as well as Dr. Allan Mason from the GTM who is a gifted musician and keeper of our tradition.

I decided not to make the three second walk to Beale Street and headed back to the hotel for late-night activities. What a good choice this was! Cantor David Berger is one of the funniest guys in the ACC.... and he's also one of the most talented and knowledgeable people about one of the things I love, Israeli music. He was responsible for organizing the late-night and we laughed the entire time. Of course, I got up, and of course I sang... but boy, did I love to listen! What a group. I did not eat the ice cream sundae, but I did sneak a small brownie.

Nighty night......

Walking In Memphis

Hey everyone!

It's not a complete surprise that I have the ability to blog and vlog, but just because I understand the general concept doesn't mean that I have ever in the past. I have a confession: This is new and uncharted territory for me. I'm not going to pretend that I am the expert when it comes to this. But I am really happy to try, and let you in on what goes on at these conventions that I attend each year.

I want to be very, very clear. This is NOT an excuse for crazy music people to get together, eat, drink and talk about our shared problems. No, all that is just a byproduct of a highly structured and wonderfully organized convention. We pray, study and share a whole bunch of important information that impacts upon a broad range of topics and that ultimately effect all of us and our congregations. We talk about social media, which you all clearly have stumbled upon. We talk about creating the best models for teaching Torah to students. We talk about our biggest hopes and fears as professionals, and we also talk about you- our communities we serve.

I have landed safely in Memphis, TN and I'm currently sitting in the lobby of the historic Peabody Hotel. I got here well in advance of any room being available. It is 9:40 AM local time and the lobby is crawling with friends stopping by to say 'hello,' and to inquire why I'm sitting here with the computer already open. I have already been told, "be sure you're here at 11:00... you don't want to miss the parade of the ducks." At least I have that going for me.

"Let's start at the very beginning...."

Every year, the American Conference of Cantors in tandem with the Guild of Temple Musicians, conducts a convention in some part of the world. For six years we are in a spot in the United States, and on the seventh year we travel to Israel. I have been to every convention since graduating from Hebrew Union College in 2000, including the tail-end of the 2000 convention which just happened to be in the city I was moving to, Los Angeles. In addition to seeing these great places, we have a chance to see a slice of the Jewish communities in these great places.

And yes, I see friends I don't have the chance to spend a lot of time with face-to-face during the year. It is a reunion and celebration of being around such talented and capable people, who work very hard every day to make our worship and lifestyles more reflective of the kind of people we would like to be.

It goes without saying that our music is not standardized. We use all kinds of mediums to express our love for our traditions. We use all kinds of mediums to help create and expand upon new traditions.

I am so very proud to be a part of even a little bit of this wonderful group.

The lobby is filling up with duck aficionados and onlookers, and it's still 35 minutes before they run from the open elevator in the lobby to the marble fountain in its center. Kids are sitting on the floor in front on my vantage point and I dare not move from this spot for fear of missing it. It's a true spectacle. They live on the roof in a $200,000 penthouse made out of Italian marble. It's good to be a duck.

At about 5:30 PM, we all joined together in prayer and welcome. You might imagine that the sound of a bunch of cantors in a room together, with other amazing soloists, musicians and lovers of this stuff, singing and harmonizing, might sound pretty amazing. Well, you'd be right! It is very special to feel a part of something great when it is happening, and every other person in the room is aware of it at the same time. Those are the moments we seek to create for this convention, and those are the moments we seek to bring home to you all.

The rest of the day consisted of a meal, a very inspirational effort by Rick Recht and the united clergies of the Memphis area, and socializing with great friends. Ultimately, I needed sleep after a long travel day. I'll fill you in tomorrow. Nighty night.