Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Register Now! Harmoniyah Second Bienial Retreat
Bethesda, Maryland (just outside Washington, DC)

http://harmoniyah.wufoo.com/forms/harmoniyah-2nd-biennial-retreat-registration/

Experience a wonderful opportunity for learning, professional development, spiritual growth, lots of music-making and seeing old and new friends in the JRF world.  read more »

The work of Jewish Reconstructionist composers will be performed at "No Rock Like You: Songs for the Jewish Soul." This Shalshelet concert will be at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in downtown Washington, or at workshops the day after. The concert will feature inspiring new works — pop and classical to Latin and klezmer — performed by gifted soloists, a full choir, drums and more. Free creative workshops for music lovers, musicians, and composers will take place on Sunday, Dec. 14, also at Sixth & I. Visit www.shalshelet.org for details and tickets.

Participants include Manel Frau-Cortes, Cantor Marcelo Gindlin, Mark Glicksman, Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael, and Rabbi Shawn Zevit. Read more to learn about these talented Reconstructionists.  read more »

Reconstructing Music
October 16, 2008 - Cantor David F. Tilman, Jewish Exponent Feature

http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/17383/

There are many achievements of the Reconstructionist movement of North America pointing to the undeniable reality that this stream of modern Jewish thought and practice has become a major component of the American Jewish community. At its first music retreat, "Harmoniyah -- Let Us Make Harmony to God," it brought together professional and lay synagogue musicians for a gathering at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington.
Several of the participants were eager to share their motivations for coming to the conference. Lauren Resnick, member and organist of Congregation Dor Hadash in Pittsburgh, was attracted to it for the rich and innovative musical experiences she had found at the Reconstructionist Federation conventions: "I have found a live musical tradition being created day to day, week to week, month to month, by the leaders of the movement."
At the gathering, Resnick found that contemporary Jewish music reflects the philosophy and culture of Reconstructionists. "The Friday evening service seemed to be traditional, and the Shabbat morning service featured a lot of drumming," she said.
Marjan Helms, a Jew by choice, is a member of a small Reconstructionist congregation in Michigan, and a classically trained pianist and composer. Her 90-minute work for the Michigan State University Children's Choir, "Voices of a Vanished World," is based on Holocaust music.  read more »

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  read more »

Harmoniyah Steering Committee(L-R, rear) Barry Brian (Or Hadash), Elaine Moise (Kedem), Cantor Rachel Epstein (Adat Shalom), Doris Dyen (RRC, Dor Hadash), Rabbi Shawn Zevit (JRF), (L-R, Front) Barbara Nordstrom-Loeb (Mayim Rabim), Lauren Resnick (Dor Hadash)  read more »

Music is flowing in the Reconstructionist movement! Voices raised with kavanah, moving renditions of favorite classics, and brilliant interpretations of liturgy seamlessly intermingle with fresh explorations of the meaning of God, Torah and Israel in their broadest sense.

Musicians Attending the JRF Women's Retreat in Wisconsin in April, 2007
The First Retreat of Harmoniyah—Reconstructionist Music Network will be held November 9-12, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA.

Saturday and Sunday 8pm evening events are open to the general public at a nominal charge- register in advance using the registration same registration link below:

Space is limited: Register Online Now.  read more »

Join us for Shabbat services and a unique opportunity to learn with Reconstructionist clergy, lay leaders, song leaders and musicians nationwide:

The Harmoniyah Music Retreat is looking for volunteer presenters to submit proposals for workshops. The application form is attached. Please contact me at szevit@jrf.org with any questions. That's also the address to which you send the completed applications.

Main retreat page.

Shabbat UnpluggedHappy Passover Everyone!

Two new recordings are now available in the resources section of this site. The first is for Hassal Siddur Pesach, the concluding prayer of the Hagaddah. The second is a recording of the Kiddush (prayer sanctifying the beginning of the holiday). Enjoy!

• Hassal Siddur Pesach
• Passover Kiddush

Rabbi Play the video.

Shawn Zevit singing his song, "In the Valley." This song was written initially in 1991 but never recorded until now.