Chai Hello 👋

Delightful discoveries from the diaspora

[chaihello]

Pesach is almost here, and this is how I’m preparing for it:

I'm listening to this stunning interpretation of the folk song "The Water Is Wide" by Karla Bonoff (taking in the opening line"the water is wide, I can't cross over..."): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHOCi74Wz0M

I wrote something on the topic of being a stranger. You can read it at the Times Of Israel/The Blogs: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/on-being-a-stranger/

I’m studying from one of the greatest professors of our time, Rabbi Dalia Marx, Ph.D, from Hebrew Union College. She gave a class on the four children for Pesach last year, and you too can watch and learn here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=2612249779009335&ref=watch_permalink

I’m supporting a local shop, Bath Sweet Shoppe in Bath, Maine, and buying an edible box of plagues for my son, because why not?: https://bath-sweet-shoppe-108997.square.site/?location=11eaf50d4fb1d8e0a1f7ac1f6bbba828#4

I’m downloading and printing this free coloring children’s Haggadah in Spanish for my son, created by one of my mom’s good friends, who is now also a friend of mine, Natan Elkin: http://www.korzeniak.com/pesaj.pdf

I’m listening to my good friend and cantor, Ale Edelstein’s new EP with Passover songs, with his amazing children Isa and Martin singing with him. You need to listen and get the rhythms and grooves of Brasil that can’t be replicated anywhere else!: https://open.spotify.com/album/6eNGzHfpDMkkqW24FOZelV?si=NBzQM0CESs2HR0pPOT8AjQ&fbclid=IwAR2rd9Fd4Fx7ck9Fbsg3r0Xvf7tPqUuMSSbgTTuWqMGnkR7TqYxuBaTNgWw&nd=1

[chaihello]

How often do you happen to know both the piece of art and the artist? How often can you say that you enjoy the art produced as much as the individual behind it? History is filled with examples of art, literature, music, etc. that make us uncomfortable. Do you stop reading Martin Heidegger’s contributions to philosophy in the 20’s century because of his affiliation to the Nazi Party? (Maybe you don’t read him for other reasons; maybe you find his writing boring.) Do you restrain from singing and teaching Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s niggunim and melodies because of his sexual misconduct towards women?

I’m not here to dwell on any of these individuals. I have, instead, a much happier story to tell. One in which I can hold both the art and the artist in high regards. Matthew Gordon is a dear friend that I acquired during my time in Denver, Colorado. He also happens to be a very talented photographer. If you have never experienced the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park, check him out. His lens will transport you there. If you have been there, you’ll know his camera has captured its beauty with a level of intimacy and closeness that only a good and caring friend could, and Matt is a good friend of all things Rocky Mountain. But, there is more photography for you to enjoy when you check his website here.

I chose the picture with the children and the bubbles because that’s how both Matt’s friendship and photography make me feel: joyful and encouraged to reach to the sky.

[chaihello]

Someone recently said to me, “Let me ask you something, do you like kids?” Well… let me start by saying I have two children, both under the age of 5. They have been home full time with me for the past YEAR (we are coming full circle on this pandemic life). I love them, but, how do I answer that question fairly??! If you, like I, have been home full time, part time, ¼ time, with your kids, you have done a gazillion art projects at this point. Almost nothing has escaped my radar, and almost every new arts and craft project I find seems to be just like some other one we already did, with a twist. Which is perfectly fine. But, here is something completely new for our family, and perhaps for yours too? These illuminated letters are really beautiful.

An illuminated letter is often an enlarged first letter in a page or paragraph. You might have seen them in some of your own fairy tale story books. Or, think about Disney’s Robin Hood or Sleeping Beauty opening scenes: a large medieval looking book opens up, and the story moves from being read to being performed.

So, do I like kids? I still do. Especially my kids. They are probably the one thing I still like about life in the times of COVID.

[chaihello]

In 1932, and after 35 years in the making, “El Templo de Libertad” (Libertad Temple) properly named “Congregacion Israelita de La Republica Argentina” (CIRA) opened its doors. This monumental and majestic synagogue has gone through deep transformations throughout its history. Having experienced tremendous growth for many years, changes in the customs of the Argentinian Jewish community in the 90’s pressured the synagogue to nearly close its doors. Nonetheless, in 2001, with the creation of the egalitarian minyan, the synagogue experienced a rebirth, and it has, since then, been a true house for gathering: for Jews of different denominations, because the synagogue holds both a traditional and a progressive/egalitarian minyan; for Argentinians and art and history lovers, because the synagogue has reopened its Jewish museum; and for music aficionados, because Libertad Temple, with is amazing acoustics, has been the dreamed performing venue for many performers across all music genres.

On March 18th, Libertad Temple will give birth to one truly unique collaboration: Jewish liturgical music and tango, in a way never done before. The Kol Nidrei, the traditional piece of liturgy sung during Kol Nidrei services on Yom Kippur, will be presented in concert performed by a bandoneon, the traditional tango instrument, along with an ensemble of 21 musicians. Featuring bandoneonista, composer and musical director Lisandro Adrover, the performance will continue with a selection of tango pieces by Troilo, Pugliese, Piazzolla and Gardel. To experience this unique event virtually you can purchase your ticket here.

Please, keep in mind that the price is indicated in Argentinian pesos (so, a 600 pesos ticket equals… 6 dollars. Yes, my friends. I mean, you have no reason to miss this!) The concert is a true one-of-a-kind event that will transport you to one of the most remarkable Jewish synagogues and musical venues in the world to experience a most unique musical experience. I hope to see you there!

[chaihello]

Take 4 minutes and 28 seconds. That’s all it takes to watch this video of Sofia Falcovitch, mezzo-soprano and Cantor from Paris, France.

I met Sofia while producing a project for the World Union for Progressive Judaism (you can check out our virtual collaboration here.) There is something just so simple and beautiful about this video of Sofia chanting Torah. The close-up of the camera, the slowness, the silence, the voice. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m getting the whole French vibe in this short 4 minute and 28 second video. And let’s talk about that prayer shawl… I have never seen anything like that, and now I want one too!

[chaihello]

You know when you discover new music and your heart just smiles?! Well, I discovered Zach Meyer late last year, and my heart just burst with joy. It just so happens that he is the son of rebbetzin Lisa Meyer, a talented Jewish and Yiddish musician, and an off-the- charts storyteller who resides in Maine. (Lisa, if you are reading this, I know my description only scratches the surface of the magnitude of talent you are! THANK YOU!) Back to Zach, he’s a multi-instrumentalist who has recorded his latest album, Zamru, entirely in his home in Boston. In his own words: “This album is a full rendering of my inner musical mind, with each note on every instrument played by me alone, including soprano and baritone saxophones, piano, kanjira drum, harmonium, keyboard and vocal harmonies.”

You can listen to one of the tracks, and pre-order his album here.

You can also join his Zoom album release party on Saturday, March 6th at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. Registration is free, but pre-registration is required.

And you can support his music and this project on his Patreon page.

[chaihello]

Sharon Steinbach was a member at my shul when I was serving as a Cantor in NYC, and for many years she worked for the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Not too long ago, she took on photography, and I confess she has quickly become one of my favorite photographers. Think the Sartorialist, but all things NYC: people, fashion, Central Park, seasons, restaurants, delis, slushy winter streets, you name it. Anything that you know NYC to be, she captures. Her photos retain the movements, intentions, stillness, intensity and even the scents of the incomparable Big Apple. You can find her work on

Instagram,

Photo Art Pavilion,

Life Framer and

Fine Art America.

[chaihello]

So, I'm not a baker, but I like to bake. And I did a thing that I call "Argentinian Hamentashen".

1) I followed this recipe for dairy hamentashen dough and added poppy seeds.

2) I used muffin thins to stuff the holes of the hamentashen, making sure to leave enough room to be able to take the paper out. Please, don't use regular paper. It will...well, burn. Parchment paper would work too.

3) Once they cool down, take the paper out and fill the hole with Dulce de Leche. Do yourself a favor and buy real Dulce de Leche at your local store, or on amazon. Please, please, don't use any "caramel" product. Don't break my heart, or this recipe.

4) Melt some chocolate in 20 minutes intervals in the microwave. When it's fully melted, dip your hamentashen faced down. The Dulce de Leche is dense enough that it will hold perfectly fine!

5) Let them dry and enjoy! Or, finish with fineley chopped almonds and sea salt, like I did.

Enjoy, and bake at your own risk!

[chaihello]

What I’m Currently Listening To

If you know me, you know I’m not a purist when it comes to music and liturgy. I appreciate and sing a vast range of styles, and I find they all have a place in worship. I celebrate diversity in musical styles and feel their coexistence has much to teach us about our many other differences, and how they too can coexist in our lives, in our days. But, back to the topic of music in liturgy, because Jewish liturgical music is so rich, vast and robust, I thought I would share a few starting points for anybody who is completely new to music in worship and would like to understand different influences. If you already participate in worship and singing, and even more, if you have your favorite cantors/composers/musical influences, you might still appreciate these resources. Perhaps you’ll find something new to fall in love with!

In no particular order, here are some places that I think are good starting points for resources and inspiration on liturgical music:

Hadar Rising Institute is great for anything spiritual/niggun/renewal: https://www.risingsong.org/buy

Central Synagogue's recordings are a great example of contemporary reform style: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/worship/music

For a taste of Latin American Jewish liturgy (yes, it’s a thing on its own; it draws from amazing local Jewish composers, with a strong influence from israeli music as well as contemporary american Jewish writers), check out “Comunidad Amijai”, a progressive congregation in the heart of the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina: https://anuario.amijai.org/shlijei-tzibur/

It’s only fair that I include one of the synagogues that is the inspiration behind Latin American liturgical music, Beit Tefilah in Tel Aviv, Israel: https://btfila.bandcamp.com/music

And since we landed in Israel, Nava Tehila is another must stop in the journey of israeli renewal melodies: http://www.navatehila.org/35897/Kabbalat%2DShabbat%2D1

Park Avenue Synagogue and Hazzan Azi Schwartz are a phenomenal way to enter, in modern ways and times, to the world of traditional Hazzanut: https://pasyn.org/cantorial-recordings

[chaihello]

Sensory play has been big in my house with my own children (I happen to enjoy it very much too!). That's why when I saw GoodMamaMade, created by new momma Katie E. Goodman, I got very excited. She has created a beautiful collection of good quality sensory play items that make Jewish learning experiential. If you are looking for something for your own children or to gift while supporting a small business, check out her Etsy store here.

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I really like to write, and I’m trying to expand my writing topics, style and inspiration. That’s why when I saw Rituallwell creating this “Writing for Joy and Resilience: A Spiritual Writing Practice Series” workshop, I knew I had to sign up. In their own words, this series will explore “...spiritual practice through daily writing prompts inspired by chants, songs, meditations and prayers.” For the entire month of March, you will receive a daily writing prompt. There will also be opportunities for communal sharing. The series kicks off on February 27th with an evening of online live poetry reading. This is a free event, but registration is required

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While living in Chelsea in NYC in my 20's, I could enter one of the hundreds art galleries any day, at any given time. Oh, how I miss the neighborhood’s artistic hub! But the arts are still alive, or at least, we should do what we can to keep them afloat. Here is an opportunity to support jewish artist Richard Tuschman by visiting his newest virtual exhibition, My Childhood Reassembled, available at Klompching Gallery. “My Childhood Reassembled explores the artist’s childhood in the American suburban Midwest of the early 1960s. Following on from his previous successful projects, Hopper Meditations and Once Upon A Time Kazimierz, Tuschman continues to develop a strong visual oeuvre—working with a combination of miniature dioramas and digital collaging of live models—in the staging of complex narratives.”

I happen to know Richard personally; he’s a wonderful person and an internationally acclaimed artist. You can visit his virtual exhibition here. You can also join online, Saturday, March 13, 1PM EST, for an artist talk between Richard and Darren Ching, co-owner of Klompching Gallery. Tickets are available here.