Chesapeake Retreat
NHC Chesapeake Retreat!
March 12-14, 2010
Join the National Havurah Committee, havurot and minyanim from across the Mid-Atlantic region for the NHC Chesapeake Retreat.
At the beginning of parashat VaYakhel-Pekudei, the Israelites are told to set apart time and space for the holiness of Shabbat. By the end, they have used their community's possessions to create a shelter for the Divine to dwell along them "throughout all of their journeys."
Take a weekend to examine the tension between the holiness of distinction and the holiness of integration, while experiencing the holiness of a community in which everyone gives of themself. Individuals, families, and havurot of all ages will gather to sing, pray, eat, relax, dance, and learn together.
Download the 2010 brochure!
NHC Summer Institute 2010
August 2 - 8, 2010
Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, NH
The NHC’s flagship program, the week-long Summer Institute, is a unique opportunity for serious study, moving prayer, spirited conversation, late-night jam sessions, singing, dancing, swimming, meditation, and hiking – all in the company of more than 300 people from a wide range of backgrounds. Each year, participants leave the Institute reinvigorated and excited to return to their home communities to share new ideas, skills, and experiences.
The theme of this year's Institute is “D'ror Yikra: Freedom for All" . Read about this year's courses.
From the Havurah! Newsletter Blog...
Announcing the NHC Resources Site
Submitted by nhc on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 21:37If you want to know about the birth, feeding, and care of independent havurot or DIY minyanim there's no place better than http://resources.havurah.org, the resouroces website of the National Havurah Committee (NHC).
Report from the NHC Summer Institute 2009
Submitted by nhc on Sun, 12/27/2009 - 19:45
By Russ Agdern and Marisa Harford, Institute Co-chairs
Where in the world can you thresh wheat, learn about where electricity comes from and how to conserve it, sing the divine, practice mussar (Jewish ethical study), trade ideas about how to build a better Jewish community, discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict, and dance your tuches off, all in one week? The Summer Institute, of course!
Institute 2010: Featured Course
M01 - The Art of Sephardic Music
Samuel Asher, Poretsky Artist in Residence
Description
Sephardim have a rich, diverse musical heritage spanning several centuries, three continents, and dozens of cultures from Spain to Iran, from the Crimea to Arabia. Sephardic music is thriving in Israel today; however, Sephardic music is not commonly sung in America, except for a few notable performers, such as Ofra Haza (z”l) and a few notable melodies, such as Los Bilbilicos. This course will explore the riches of Oriental Jewish music in Ladino and Hebrew, new and old. We will learn music, musical styles, and liturgical versus secular pieces. We will also play melodic and percussive instruments and make new music. Expect lively interaction and participation.
Samuel Asher has done extensive work in reviving traditional Sephardic music as well as developing new music for Jewish liturgy. He has taught many classes and led several workshops on music, prayer, and interfaith dialog. Educated at the Eastman School of Music, Samuel has officiated as Cantor for Temple Beth David in Rochester, NY for the last 17 years, and was the first Artist in Residence for the Partnership program in Modi’in, Israel in 2005. Also comfortable with jazz, gospel, and folk music, Samuel lives in Rochester with his wife of 28 years; they have 3 grown children.
Notes
Prerequisites: None. Course will be taught in English. Music will be in Hebrew, Ladino, and English. Translations will be provided for all non-English material. Teacher will bring a collection of drums and other musical instruments for course participants’ use.
Categories
- Arts and Literature
- History and Culture
- Extended Format
- Morning Course
About the NHC
The National Havurah Committee (NHC) is a network of diverse individuals and communities dedicated to Jewish living and learning, community building, and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Since the 1970s, the NHC Summer Institute has been bringing together Jews from across North America to envision a joyful grassroots Judaism and provide the tools to help them create empowered Jewish lives and communities. The NHC is a nondenominational, multigenerational, egalitarian, and volunteer-run organization.
Havurah Resources Site Sampler
The Havurah Resources Site contains practical advice about starting a new Havurah, governance, finance, leading worship, and other programming including a special section on social justice. Here's a sample: