Beth Hamon will be pretty busy this year as more rabbis and communities become acquainted with her idiosyncratic, original Jewish folk music:

Beth will be the Musician-In-Residence this fall at The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah in Overland Park, KS, for the High Holy Days and the fall festivals of Sukkot and Simchat Torah. In addition to her duties as High Holy Days soloist on the bimah, Beth will also work closely with B'nai Jehudah's religious school and preschool and will tutor teen song leaders during her month long residency.  The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah

In addition, Beth will be a visiting Artist-In-Residence at Temple Chai in Phoenix, AZ. During seven weekends over the course of the coming academic year, Beth will serve as cantorial soloist during Shabbat services, and as a song leader during Sunday school. In addition she will provide one-on-one coaching for Temple Chai's teen song leaders to help them hone their skills for school and camp. Her first visit to Phoenix is the weekend of August 29. Temple Chai Phoenix Arizona, A reform congregation in Phoenix, Arizona  

Beth continues to tutor private B'nei Mitzvah students in her hometown of Portland, Oregon and is available for workshops and special events. She is also writing songs for her next projects: a third collection of adult contemporary Jewish music focusing on liturgical settings, and a collection of children's songs. For more info, check out Beth Hamon Music  

Beth Hamon Music, Handmade Jewish Music  

Cantor Marci Vitkus has served the Jewish Congregation of Venice since October 2001. Her career as a cantor was a big surprise! Trained as an early childhood educator, she was a preschool director and owner for 13 years. Then came the call from a choir director which changed the course of her life. She interviewed at his synagogue, they hired her that day and she has never looked back. She has proudly officiated at over 100 weddings, mostly Jewish-interfaith, as well as baby-namings and funerals. She feels blessed to be part of an amazingly warm & accepting congregation. She doesn’t have lots of fancy awards but thinks her husband, Andy, and two kids, Max & Sadie are awards enough. She is a member and serves on the Board of the Women Cantors’ Network.

 

Shefa Gold talking about chanting: Sham etayn et dodai lach  /  There I will give you my love.    (Song of Songs 7:13)     "This is a practice of strengthening and refining our deepest and finest intentions to love God through each moment and detail of our lives. Before the chant begins, imagine before you the landscape of your life - all the small details that make up your day. Then when you chant the word "Sham - (there)," focus the force of your love into a particular detail or relationship of your daily routine. Imagine bringing the power of Love (a love that embraces the mystery of the Whole), to everything you do... "

Wedding Music - Community Thought Questions:

What is a wedding without music?

Who chooses the music?

Does their intention or connection with the music matter?

Who plays or contributes to the music?

Does their connection and intention impact the event?

Think of the last wedding or memorable event you went to, what part did music take in the event?

What do you remember about the music?

When someone comes to your congregation, organization or event for the first time, how do they feel about the music?

Do you know what the impact of the music is?

Welcome to the Launch For One of Our Current Projects. The expected publication date for Music, The Carrier of Intention in 49 Jewish Prayers is scheduled to be free as an eBook on Amazon on September 18th for one day.

If you are one of the Authors, Musicians, Cantors, Rabbis, Poets, or Singers involved in the project - Thank you. This is a very special project for Ann White and Kimberly Burnham at The Creating Calm Network Publishing Group and the editors, Elizabeth Goldstein and Kimberly Burnham.

There is a saying that, "A rising tide lifts all boats." In the case of Music, The Carrier of Intention in 49 Jewish Prayers, an anthology launch lifts all spirits and moves your ideas out into the world. This book is about sharing your experiences so that people can live happier, more connected fulfilled lives because of what each of us shares.

Each of the fifty or so participants (musicians, cantors, rabbis, singers, poets, writers) in this project have been asked to choose a piece of Jewish music, liturgy or Torah passage to focus on as they tell their story of intention and music. The following five questions are guiding the writing process.
1) What is your intention while singing during Jewish services? What do you intend with your song? What does the singing draw you towards?

2) "Music is the carrier of intention, so the intention and focus of the person leading liturgical music is vital to the well-being of the congregation." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What are your thoughts on this idea?

3) "The intention and focus of the individual listening to and participating in a Jewish prayer service, influences not only their own well-being but that of everyone else around them because the music connects us." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What are your thoughts on this idea? 

4) Is there a piece of prayer, praise or gratitude expressed in music that particularly touches you? Why?

5) Would you like to share a story about the power of music in your spiritual, mental or physical life?

The questions are meant as guidelines to express the way the music touches you and impacts your life and that of your community.