• Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein, Temple Beth El, Newark, DE
o Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein is the rabbi of Temple Beth El, Newark, DE. Micah helped launch Camp JRF and currently serves on the Camp JRF board as the RRA representative. In this capacity he also helps bridge Camp JRF music program with Harmoniyah. Rabbi Micah is also a member of the Harmoniyah Steering Committee.
o Rabbi Micah (and friends!) will open our program with songs for Shabbat from his forthcoming CD.
• Cantors Mariana and Marcelo Gindlin
o Marcelo Gindlin is the Hazzan at JRF Affiliate Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue. His sister Mariana is the Cantor/Musical Director of Temple Sinai of Glendale.
o Their presentation, a medley of Yiddish songs, honors their grandparents. Cantor Marcelo writes, “As we listen to our musical heritage, we know our spiritual direction and the journey on which we will go.”
• Steven Hirsch and Shannon Fowler, University Synagogue, Irvine, CA
o Steven Hirsch is a founding member of the University Synagogue choir; Shannon Fowler is the director of the choir.
o Shannon and Steve will perform Gershon Kingsley's Yihyu l'ratzon (May the words of my mouth...) Steve writes, “Given the vulgarity that has almost become a stereotype of much of today’s entertainment, this piece encourages us to elevate our words and thoughts to a level consistent with our highest values.”
• Cherie Karo Schwartz, Congregation B’nai Havurah, Denver, CO
o Cherie Karo Schwartz is a Storyteller, Author, and Educator who has been a member of B’nai Havurah for three decades. Cherie draws audiences into a tapestry of tales through engaging, spellbinding, interactive story journeys created uniquely for each audience.
o Cherie’s story this evening is “Yehi Or, First Light”, a story created from Gen. Rabbah 33:11 and B. Bab. Bat. 16b, taking the concept of what happened to the light of the first day, according to Talmud, then spinning it out to include its resting place with humans, seeing the light of Shabbat in our extra soul, in each other's eyes, making for a fuller, richer future.
• Phyllis Angel, Congregation Darchei Noam, Toronto, ON
o Phyllis Angel is the “Rosh Hazzanut” of Congregation Darchei Noam. She leads services, sings concerts and helps to officiate at life-cycle events.
o Phyllis will be performing a Yiddish song called “Harbstlied:” Why should I worry about what will be when autumn comes, since the fall offers me bushels of gold?
• Steven Burnstein, Kibbutz Gezer/ RRC Student
o Steve is the Director of the Center for Israel and Diaspora Education at IsraelExperts-Initiatives in Education. He has led workshops about Israel and Jewish Education across North America, Romania and Israel.
o Steve’s offering this evening will use songs and stories of Israel to help us better understand the contemporary voices dreaming of peace and a better future for Israel, the Jewish people, and the world.
• Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Congregation Kol HaLev, Cleveland, OH and JRF
o Rabbi Shawn Israel Zevit, (RRC '98), JRF Director of Outreach and Tikkun Olam, and congregational consultant, has worked for the Reconstructionist Movement for 12 years, and has over 25 years experience in spiritual and congregational leadership, organizational consulting and training, educational arts, writing, recording, teaching and performing.
o Shawn and friends will be presenting songs about vision and possibility in the world and Jewish life. Audience participation expected!
Did you know that in May 2010, featured Convention speaker Rabbi Steve Gutow traveled to Vietnam as part of a delegation to observe the impact of Agent Orange?