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.
No comments:
Post a Comment