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Shefa Gold Weekend by Carol K. Goldman
I attended the Rabbi Shefa Gold Shabbaton weekend. Each event was informative, inspirational, and compelling. The experiences I had at each session reverberated throughout my High Holiday preparation and teshuvah work. At the Saturday afternoon workshop, Shefa assembled chants to help us cope with our “hardening” our hearts. If our hearts are not open and capable of being receptive, we are limited in what we can experience. On the Sunday workshop, we got a chance to identify and share in small groups our fears and insecurities. Shefa then identified chants that can help us work through anxieties, and disconnection from G-d. The conditions that confront us can be transformed into opportunities for a closer relationship with our Divine Source. We did work in dyads that enabled us to feel G-d’s unconditional love as channeled through our partners. All those who attended the programs, whether at Beth El in Sudbury, or at TBZ, were very appreciative of the chance to study, chant, and dialogue with Shefa. Shefa took the time to answer the many diverse and profound questions and concerns. Carl Woolf, Yocheved Sheila Katz, and Steve Cramer's musical abilities enhanced the large group present at the moving musical Selichot service on Saturday evening and the Sunday workshop. This weekend encouraged people to explore and become involved in Nishmat Hayyim activities. If you missed the Shabbaton or want to experience more of Shefa’s work, I recommend Yocheved Sheila Katz’s “Jewish Meditation and Contemplative chant Course” in January, 2009 on Wednesday evenings and Carl Wolf’s ongoing Tuesday “Morning contemplation, Prayer & Chant” group. Having participated in Yocheved’s summer chanting series and being a regular attendee of Carl’s group, I highly recommend these opportunities for following up on the use of chants presented in the Shefa Shabbaton. |
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