Come join us for an exciting array of musical, prayerful and inspirational Hamroniyah community workshops and events at the JRF 2008 Convention! To register go to www.jrf.org/convention
Highlights Include:
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Integrating New Music and Choruses into Services
Workshop Block A, Thursday, Nov. 13, 9:00-10:30am
Integrating new music into services can be difficult -- as much as people want it and appreciate what it brings to services, there are real challenges involved in getting a congregation to participate, and we’re often left with a chorus that simply “performs" and interrupts the flow of the service. This tune-filled workshop will help provide the tools to help your congregation explore new Jewish music and expand its repertoire while increasing participation and building community.
Workshop Presenters: Barry Brian and Richard Yospin
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You Too Can Create Reconstructionist Liturgy
This hands-on liturgy-writing workshop will give participants an opportunity to add to the rich literature of Reconstructionist prayer. We will examine various types of liturgical forms, based on Reconstructionist principles illustrated utilizing the Kol Haneshamah prayer book series and other venues, reviewing the tensions between keva (fixed, structured prayer) and kavanah (devotional, interpretive prayer), and exploring the purpose and short history of liturgical poetry and prayer. Participants will create new liturgy to energize our home congregations.
Workshop Presenter: Elise Rosen-Levin
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Music Sharing Session
Workshop Block B, Thursday, Nov. 13, 4:30-6:00pm
Join with Reconstructionist musicians from all parts of our movement to share creative output with one another, thereby providing new music to bring to your home congregation.
Led by Elaine Moise and Harmoniyah Steering Committee members
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Harmoniyah Business Meeting
Workshop Block D, Friday, Nov. 14, 11-12:30pm
This business meeting is open to members of Harmoniyah—the Reconstructionist music network.
Chaired by the Harmoniyah Steering Committee
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Tefillah (Prayer) Leadership Training
Workshop Block: Block E, Fri. Nov. 14, 2:45-4:15pm
Take part in a leadership training workshop for those who lead congregational prayer. This session will be an exploration into traditional Jewish prayer structures (nusach and mat'beah) and what they might look like “reconstructed.” This session will be an opportunity for leaders at all levels of experience to consider their own leadership style, skills, and goals. Participants will come away with ways to convey a sense of the liturgy's "inner text" in leading our communities in prayer, and how to invite and encourage participation in our communal worship so that it activates the body, touches the heart, engages the mind and nourishes genuine spiritual growth and insight. Employing the highly participatory approach of an intensive master class, the facilitators will coach participants in the high art of leadership of public ritual and prayer, as well as look at some of the deep structures of our liturgy.
Workshop Presenters:
Hazzan Rachel Hersh Epstein, Rabbi Shawn Zevit
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The Music of Camp JRF
Workshop Block: Shabbat Beit Midrash I, 2-3:30pm
This fun and uplifting session introduces the music of Camp JRF through singing. Come discover ways to share the wonderful spirit of our own summer camp's music to energize your congregation.
Workshop Presenters: Ayal Weiner-Kaplow, Rabbi James Greene, Rabbi Jeffrey Eisenstat
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Friday, Nov. 14th, 8:45 pm – 10:30 pm: A Musical Celebration of Shabbat featuring Harmoniyah members
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Sat, Nov. 15th, 8:45 pm – 9:15 pm: Havdalah and Music featuring the Harmoniyah Steering Committee members and friends
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Harmoniyah Steering Committee
Harmoniyah Mission Statement:
The mission of Harmoniyah (Reconstructionist Music Network) is to nurture, facilitate, and energize the evolving musical culture of Jewish civilization in accordance with the values and principles of Reconstructionism Judaism. Harmoniyah will serve to connect all who are involved in the musical transmission of our religious civilization by providing a central place for philosophical, educational, material, and logistical knowledge to be disseminated and shared by all of its members. See www.jrf.org/music