WELCOME to JOYous CHAI LIGHTS, and if you have suggestions to share, please let me know.

JOYous CHAI LIGHTS is a monthly calendar listing of mostly Los Angeles Jewish Renewal shuls, events, holidays, workshops, national retreats, ARTS, contests, books, spiritual teachers, and Joy's commentary.

My photo
Joy Serves G*d in Joy as a passionate performing percussionist, poet, publisher, photographer, publicist, sound healer, spiritual guide, artist, gardener and Gemini. "Ivdu Et Hashem B'Simcha" -Psalm 100:2 ....... Joy Krauthammer, active in the Jewish Renewal, Feminist, and neo-Chasidic worlds for over three decades, kabbalistically leads Jewish women's life-cycle rituals. ... Workshops, and Bands are available for all Shuls, Sisterhoods, Rosh Chodeshes, Retreats, Concerts, Conferences & Festivals. ... My kavanah/intention is that my creative expressive gifts are inspirational, uplifting and joyous. In gratitude, I love doing mitzvot/good deeds, and connecting people in joy. In the zechut/merit of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt'l, I mamash love to help make our universe a smaller world, one REVEALING more spiritual consciousness, connection, compassion, and chesed/lovingkindness; to make visible the Face of the Divine... VIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE and enjoy all offerings.... For BOOKINGS write: joyofwisdom1 at gmail.com, leave a COMMENT below, or call me. ... "Don't Postpone Joy" bear photo montage by Joy. Click to enlarge. BlesSings, Joy

JOYous CHAI LIGHTS May 2009 ~ Iyar 5769

JOYous CHAI LIGHTS
May 2009 ~ Iyar & Sivan 5769

Season of Counting Sephirat HaOmer
May 1, Day 22, Chesed she b' Netzach, 27 days left to count
until SHAVUOT and we receive Torah.


"Then Miriam the Prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand,
and all the women went out after her with timbrels & dances."
Exodus 15:20
Shabbat shalom. See you in shul.

Joy Krauthammer



SHALOM CHEVRE,

I hope you all had a meaningful Pesach and reached for your freedom. For Yiskor and the Moshiach Seudah on the last night, I was blessed to be with four generations of Lubavitchers, including the Chief Rabbi of the Ukraine, my Chabad rabbi's grandfather. Synagogues from the North Valley came together as "Community in Unity" to celebrate with a Farbrengan of teachings and song. We all came together also for the BlesSing of the Sun, Birkat HaChamah.

Welcome to Counting Sephirat HaOmer season.
If you are not already familiar with the Omer Counting which began 2nd night of Pesach and finishes at Shavuot, for wonderful Guides and Calendars visit Chabad.org, Torah.org, Aish.org, Meaningfullife.org. and Neochasid.com.

For Lag B'Omer (Day 33), Monday evening, May 11, check the Jewish Journal for celebrations, especially at Dockweiler Beach, and the Santa Monica Pier.

On percussion, I'm accompanying Rabbi Nachi Klein and Yeshivah singers at one of my Orthodox shuls, Young Israel of Northridge , with a real bonfire and roasted marshmallows.
See and hear you also at the N'Shama Minyan Kumsitz -singalong, at VBS.

Shavuot commemorates the revelation at Sinai when the Israelites accepted the Torah which G*d has given to us. Jews stay up all night studying Torah.

To celebrate SHAVUOT, in RETREAT join rabbis, teachers, musicians and chevre:
Click Link and read details below.
"http://www.opentowonder.com"
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If anyone knows how I can make CHAI LIGHTS more accessible to you and easily readable, with all my colorful formatting (missing here), maybe on a different blog, without my sending individually to each of you the whole CHAI LIGHTS, please let me know.
I will continue to send a link to you for this CHAI LIGHTS Blog. This is my first Blog venture with CHAI LIGHTS and I am grateful for the space. You may COMMENT at end of this POST. (You may see my other BLOGS by clicking PROFILE.)
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I'm happy and grateful to see that our shuls are now including COMMUNITY NEWS on their own sites. I've encouraged this for a long time.
Shuls have followed the lead of Metivta, and now with artistic sites include Ahavat Torah, B'nai Horin and Makom Ohr Shalom in offering this service. Yasher Koach. View their sites below for community info.
Feel free to use any of the info in CHAI LIGHTS for your shul's website info. Let's JOYOUSLY bring "Community into Unity."
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Please ask The Compassionate One for healing blessings / MiSheberach for all those you love, for healing comfort of body and soul.
Torah.org offers MiSheberach lists and you can pray for those listed.

The next six paragraphs are the same as last month (for new readers).

I am happy to share with you my JOYous CHAI LIGHTS of upcoming Shabbats, Chagim, mostly LA Jewish Renewal and post-denominational spiritual events, classes & the ARTS, plus...
I only write about the events that I know and love. Not the shuls I used to go to, nor the ones I haven't yet gone to, nor the ones I intentionally don't go to. Thus mine is a partial listing and not 'impartial'.
They are where I love to be and invite you to join me there in joy along the path to The Tree of Life and Four Worlds-- spirit, mind, heart & body.

Monthly, I write this large mailing, my gift to Chevre, from my Porter Ranch kitchen table looking East to Jerusalem, and no one but I proof it. I hand click each recipient, no lists. (UNSUBSCRIBE-- Let me know.) If you see an error that would be continued, please let me know.

PLEASE FORWARD CHAI LIGHTS TO YOUR FRIENDS so they too can enjoy with you, spiritual Renewal Judaism. Most of what I include here is NOT included in other local media. Click on underlined LINKS below for full updated stories of events & some photos. I love it when at an event I meet someone and they tell me they are present because a friend had forwarded CHAI LIGHTS to them.

Exceptional Chai Lights Happenings (i.e. retreats, ARTS, concerts, books) are mostly at beginning of this list and some are at the end, and ongoing Chai Lights events (i.e. shuls, minyans, museums, classes) are mostly in the middle. Please read Outside LA, and my Personal Note at every end of CHAI LIGHTS to learn of my mamash gevaldt rabbis and other teachers or teachings that I love. Last is best. (Really not as chaotic as it may look.)

Having Publisher's prerogative, I invite you to my many activities, and share them here. You can even hire me to play passionate percussion and Miriyahm for Rosh Chodeshes, Women's Passover Seders, Reb Shlomo Carlebach,z'l concerts or other spiritual events. I play for shuls and events throughout LA. Contact me if you want to invite KINDRED SPIRITS, my 20 member percussion group of REMO friends to join you, or if you want OPEN TO WONDER, my divine band, for your spiritual services.

If your community/shul desires a sound healer, I'm available-- Sounds of Joy. I travel with my crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, bells and gongs that I brought back from Tibet. I love playing them for meditation, vibrational massage, yoga, dance, and homeopathic healing. In addition, I continue to offer Kabbalistic Four World workshops on "Joy."
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BARUCH DAYAN HAEMET Blessed is the true Judge
Deepest condolences to Zena David (Sarah's Tent) on the death of David Sher, z'l, David ben Shimon v'Tema, her sweetest, beloved 99 year old father. He died 3 Iyar, during the Omer counting week of Tiferet, a way of being filled with heart and harmony, which is how dear David and his dedicated daughter spent their many years together here in LA. May David's soul be blessed on its journey to Shamayim. Together, we shared so many Shabbats.
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Deepest condolences to the family of 90 years old Lisa Weissbrod, z'l, my dear close friend of 25 years. She transcended from mitzrayim on Passover. You may read my blog, www.lisamyfriend.blogspot.com May Lisa's memory be for a blessing.
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Deepest condolences to the family of Mort Riemer, z'l, to wife Beverlee, and all of Makom Ohr Shalom. May Mort's memory be for a blessing. Mort was a giving man filled with chesed and died on the Sephirat HaOmer holy day One of Chesed she B'Chesed.


* * * * * * * HAPPENINGS


DOIKAYT. If you missed this creative, artistic experiential Seder DOIKAYT, you can download photos and Haggadah. Join them next year and maybe YOU can present there. www.yiddishkayt.org
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HAPPY MINYAN presents MELAVA MALKA with Israel's Breslover Rabbi Lazer Brody, author of Garden of Emuna, THIS Motzei Shabbos, May 2, 9:30 PM. Teaching, songs and special guests. $12 donation (light refreshments).
www.Lazerbrody.typepad.com
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SHAVUOT RETREAT Brandeis Bardin, American Jewish Univ., Simi Valley campus
Thursday - Sat, May 28 - May 30, Uniting Heaven and Earth.
TEACHERS:
Rabbi Toba August, Rabbi Sheryl Lewart, Rabbi T'mimah Ickovitz, K'vod Weider, Eli Lester, Joy Krauthammer, Tia Cohen.


OPEN TO WONDER BAND:
Joy Krauthammer, Phil Bell, Tia Cohen, Alan Klein, Ian Kroop playing Shavuot and Shabbat services.

Retreat Cost $295 for study, activities, yoga, sound healing, meals and lodging 2 days & nights.
Commuter rates available.

"http://www.opentowonder.com"
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LEV EISHA, monthly Shabbat services by women for women (men invited) has moved to new location at Temple Akiba, May 2, 9:30 AM. See details below. 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, 90230.
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A room for rent for a single woman is available in the Holy Old City of Jerusalem, near the Kotel. Contact me if interested.
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Guitarist wanted: If you know of a "retired guitarist" to accompany a "biblical singing storyteller" resume storytelling, please let me know and I'll forward your name and #.
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MAZAL TOV to my son-in-law, Brett, for creating and running with the inaugural team: Susan G. Komen Cancer Cure for the Boston Marathon . I'm very proud of Brett, and Aviva shot good photos.
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Rabbi Arthur Segal's website offers a delight. Not only does he have two Jewish Spiritual Renewal books he wrote and is selling, MAZAL TOV, he includes a CARTOON that I LOVE by Steve Greenberg, illustrating Jewish Spiritual Renewal.
Cartoon musicians include: flutist, Richard Hardy, and myself-- Joy, timbrel player in purple, both of us Reb Shlomo, z'l musicians, and Alula, (from Ethiopia) and Cantorial soloist Mark Bachrach on shofar; all of us from Rabbi Stan Levy's B'nai Horin during the High Holidays at Brandeis Bardin.
Click the link!
http://www.jewishspiritualrenewal.net/ to learn about two books by Rabbi Arthur Segal:
THE HANDBOOK TO JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL: A PATH OF TRANSFORMATION FOR THE MODERN JEW and
A SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL COMPENDIUM TO THE TORAH AND TALMUD
To purchase, visit : http://www.shop.jewishspiritualrenewal.net/main.sc
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A Heart Afire - Stories and Teachings of the early Hasidic Masters by Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Netanel Miles-Yepez. New book available with 40% discount.
Reb Zalman founded Jewish Renewal.
http://www.jewishpub.org/product.php?id=312&promocode=HEAR40
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Israel’s 61st Independence Day Festival. Sunday, May 3, 10 AM -7 PM. Woodley Park, San Fernando Valley.
Entertainers on 3 stages include Moshav Band-4 pm, Pini Cohen, Jimmy Gamliel, Yosai Levy.
http://www.israelfestival.com
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Margalit Oved, the Golden State Klezmers and Divahn, Sunday, May 3, 2-5 pm, Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. $18. Performances and discussion of Jewish Music from Around the World. Sponsored by Temple Aliyah & Shir Ami & Gladys Sturman in memory of husband, Herman,z'l. 818 348-1498

THIS IS MAMASH WORTH THE TRIP TO THE VALLEY. Margalit is a Yemenite dancer legend. Galeet Dardashti of Divahn is rockin' divine with her all-gal band. I last heard Galeet play in New Mexico at Kallah. where she brought down the roof. I joyously played timbrel with her and her talented family over two dozen years ago and can send you the photo to prove it. Celebration of Jewish Life produced by impresario Neal Brostoff so we know this is good.
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JEWISH WOMEN'S THEATRE presents AT-HOMES SALON THEATRE
Westside home: Mon., May 4 or Wed., May 6. Valley home: Tues., May 5.
Generations, collection of short poems, plays and monologues in which mothers and daughters verbally joust, daughters muse on the meaning of “mother”, grandmothers are remembered, and a mother treks through a rainforest to find her daughter.
Ticket price is $25, includes dessert buffet. Doors open 7 PM. Show begins 7:30 PM.
ronda@jewishwomenstheatre.org Limited free tickets available if you volunteer.
I loved playing for JWT's opening event.
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AROUND THE WORLD IN STITCHES, presented by the San Fernando Valley Quilt Association and Valley Quiltmakers Guild, a beautiful display of fabric artistry, traditional quilts, far out creations, International display of quilted fabric postcards from around the world, promoted by a group of Jewish quilters, imaginative dolls, vendor mall, quilt auction.
Cal State Northridge, Sat., May 16, 10 AM - 6 PM, Sunday May 17, 10 AM - 4 PM.
Admission $7 one day, $10 both days, spouses get in free with paid admission.
Parking $5. Address, Directions, Info. Hannah (818)784-4612 or hka@thephotographystudio.com
I have seen some of these awesome quilts, and by my talented friends which astonishes me. (And Hannah is also a drummer.)
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TOPANGA BANJO, FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL (Bluegrass), May 17, 9 AM - 6 PM on Western movie sets at Paramount Ranch, Agoura, Santa Monica Mountains National Rec. Area.
Professional bands include Whiskey Chimp, Peter Feldmann, Fur Dixon & Steve Werner, Susie Glaze and over 100 singing/playing contestants competing. Folk singing & dancing, folk arts booths, jamming musicians and children’s music and crafts!
Advance tickets: $12.00. At the gate $15.00 and $10. Kids under 10 get in free! FREE Parking and shuttle bus! Bring a picnic, bring your instruments.
www.topangabanjofiddle.org hotline: (818)382-4819. info@topangabanjofiddle.org

I love volunteering at this festival, enjoying music under the trees.
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Woodley Park WORLD FEST, Sat. May 16, 10:30 AM - 7 PM. LA's Largest Earth Day Festival! LA's only vegan (the closest thing to Kosher)and cruelty-free Music Festival. A solar-powered, day-long event filled with music, food, film and celebrities to raise public awareness for environmental, health, human, and animal issues, held in Woodley Park, THE VALLEY. (close to freeways 405 and 101.) (You could bring a minyan with you and davven in nature.)
http://www.worldfestevents.com/
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NEW WORLD FAIR, May 16-17, Pasadena Convention Center www.newworldfair.org
Activities include the best REMO drum circles, labyrinth walk, art, reggae, jazz, pop rock and magic shows, 200 + vendors. 70 + lectures and workshops, films. Click LINK for a coupon. I enjoyed this Fair for the last two years, especially lying on the amythest healing mattress and buying crystals for presents.
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Tel Aviv in Focus. Photo contest in honor of Tel Aviv's Centennial. Deadline for contest and entries, July 1. www.JewishLA.org/TALApartnership
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SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH is the spiritual journey and ritual celebration on turning at least 60 years. Continue to consciously envision your dreams, transform age-ing beliefs into blesSings, and strive toward attaining greater spiritual heights. How do we face our 'next' era, and then mortality, and redefine values in our lives in desiring to meet our highest potential, and leave our legacy? I would love to offer this to your spiritual community. Write to me to book a date or if you have questions.
http://simchatchochmah.blogspot.com/
Mazal Tov to Lynn Stevens for her SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH !

AriellaShira Lewis and I are offering SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH at Aleph's week-long KALLAH retreat this summer in Ohio beginning June 29. Join us.
http://www.aleph.org/kallah.htm Click on IMPORTANT UPDATES for the afternoon Workshop Track.
This week we loved presenting at the Women's Annual Forum, Jewish Federation of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Mazal Tov to all the honored women.

Joy, MBA (UJ) Serving G*d With Joy, artist, poet, percussionist, Chai Lights publisher, PR consultant, gardener. (I'm a Gemini.)
AriellaShira, MA, SLR, Speech Language Therapist. Facilitator, healing circles, angel on earth.

Both were students of Savina Teubal, z'l, creator of the wisdom ritual, and have studied with Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi's Spritual Eldering Project / Aleph Sage-ing Project, as well as Marcia Cohn Spiegel, #2 Simchat Chochmah.

Many Wonderful Women With Wisdom joined us at Sarah's Tent, LimmudLA, Wagner Women Retreat, Jewish Federation and AJU workshops and are ready for part II. If you've had part I, let's prepare for part II.
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JOY SHAKERS. As percussionist for LA synagogues and events, I'm offering a little workshop on small percussion. See PR at bottom. Please contact me, Joy, for bookings.
www.joyshakers.blogspot.com
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"MIDASH AND MEDICINE " conference, May 11-13, 2009, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, CA
www.midrashandmedicine.org Anyone going? Please tell me.
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RABBINIC, CANTORIAL, CHAPLAINCY Smeecha Ordinations are happening this month.
To witness a holy experience, RSVP your seat at AJR and AJULA (my Alma Mater) and HUC ceremonies. I attend every year and I am in awe of the graduates and their stories.
AJR ordinations held at SS. Wise on Monday, May 25th 2 PM.
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*GOLDSTAR*: To sign up for FREE info on half-price tickets for events, theatre, music, etc. write:
http://www.goldstar.com/?p=f563067ff27
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When I am drumming I love seeing your smiling hearts and then mine drums in joy with yours.
I always love hearing from YOU and hearing about your spiritual path.

BlesSings of love, Shalom, prosperity, health and joy (of course),
Joy
"Ivdu Et HaShem B'Simcha"
Serve G*D in Joy



* * * * * * * SHULS, MINYANS


"And I have loved you with an eternal love,; therefore I have extended loving-kindness to you. I shall yet rebuild you and you shall be rebuilt, O Maiden of Israel; you will yet adorn yourself with drums and go forth in the round-dance of the joyful." (Jeremiah 31:2,3)


LEV EISHA monthly Shabbat, this Sat. May 2, 9:30 AM. LEV EISHA IS ON THE MOVE for May & June at TEMPLE AKIBA, 5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, 90230. For updates on the locations of future services, please visit the Lev Eisha web site www.leveisha.org , and/or read ads in the LA Jewish Journal paper edition. This service continues to led by Rabbi Toba August and Cindy Paley.
SAVE THE DATE: Sat. June 6th. 8:30 AM Early Breakfast teaching with Rabbi August.
Rabbi Toba teaches at SHAVUOT RETREAT, Brandeis Bardin, May 28-30. www.opentowonder.com

LEV EISHA is where I love to be:
* a monthly creative prayer service for women by women, led by Rabbi Toba August & cantorial soloist - Cindy Paley with world music percussionists - Joy Krauthammer and Chris Gacsi, and soloists - Robin Winston, Mollie Wine & Toby Schwartz (who also chants Torah!). WE have some great new songs for you!
* an exciting, innovative Shabbat service that offers a warm welcoming environment for women seeking to connect with their Judaism - as women.
* a joyous, spiritual sanctuary for women of all ages and affiliation to come together in song, prayer, study, dance, meditation and spiritual growth.
* the first Saturday /Shabbat of every month your other rabbis know where you are. www.leveisha.org 310 575-0986
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MAKOM OHR SHALOM EnCHANTing Erev Shabbats in Valley, Fridays May 1, 15 7:45 pm. Other dates in LA. See Website. Rabbis Debra Orenstein & Monty Turner. Dana Stone-Goldberg, W. Ellen Fleischmann & Mitzi Schwarz-- soloists, Alan Klein, horn, David Platus, clarinet, Joy Krauthammer, percussionist, and Eli Lester, drummer, Steve Berman, harmonica. 5619 Lindley @ Burbank, NW corner in host church, Tarzana. Shabbat dinners, Havdalahs, huvurahs, healing services. www.makom.org
Save the Date: June 13th. MOS honors Shayna & Eli Lester.

New people are always greeted at the door and invited to play small percussion. Reb Debra is enchanting as she chants Torah.
Check Reb Debra's website www.RabbiDebra.com for audio CD's of Debra and Reb Zalman. CD's with valuable inspiration and tools for spiritual exploration.
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B'NAI HORIN, Shabbat once monthly services May 2, 10 am - 1:30 pm, Rabbi Stan Levy, Associate Rabbi Laura Owens, Marc Bachrach, cantorial soloist. As a member for two decades, you may find me there with my timbrel in hand. SHABBAT CELEBRATIONS: Shavuot - May 30. June 20th.

Regular Contribution: $15 B'nai Horin members, $20 guests. Please bring a salad, dessert or drinks to share or contribute $5 toward the main dish. A blesSing to be in Carole Foley's home garden, 11040 Queensland, West LA, one light south of National, 1 1/2 blocks east of Sepulveda Blvd. I love it that mailings now include community events. www.bnaihorin.com (310) 441-4434.
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N'SHAMA MINYAN, Rabbi Nina Bieber Feinstein & Cindy Paley Aboody - cantorial soloist and guitarist, Joy Krauthammer - world music percussionist, and guest musicians & soloists. Service in the artistic stained glass Lopaty Chapel, Tuesday night, May 12 Lag B'Omer, prayer, song, dance, spirit, study. Sisterhood minyan led by and for women and all are invited.

Check the VBS website or call the shul to confirm dates & time for the next Women's Shabbat service. (Not always Sat. AM) Join us. Meets at Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 91436.
(818) 788-6000 or Susan: (818) 343-3078 www.vbs.org
While at VBS, check out all their daily many varied fantastic spiritual offerings with many wonderful rabbis and cantors.
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METIVTA, Friday, and new Sat. services. Lay led meets both in LA and the Valley for Shabbat services, Shabbat dinner, meditations and classes. Fills quickly. Call for dates and events. I love their Contemplative intimate Kabbalat Shabbat service; candle lighting, prayer, chanting, niggunim, a pot luck dinner and a discussion of the weekly parsha. Founded by Rabbi Jonathan Omer-Man. I enjoyed recently serving as their percussionist. RSVP to Gilla at gilla@metivta.org or call (818) 990-7942. Metivta@metivta.org (818) 654-9293. www.metivta.org
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AHAVAT TORAH Congregation. Weekly lively Shabbat service and pot-luck buffet luncheon. Sat. 9 AM teaching (in fireside lounge) and 10 AM Shabbat service with Israeli-born Rabbi Miriam Hamrell (AJR graduate), Gary Levine (opera-trained) & other cantorial soloists. Guest Torah teachers. Participatory musical worship service. Held at the Village Glen Lutheran Church, 343 Church Lane, LA, 90049, 5-6 blocks south of Sunset, north of Montana, just west of the 405 Freeway. Brentwood, LA. Park in the South parking lot or on the streets.

I love it that member Sherry loans me her timbrel when I show up. I love attending the participatory early teachings in the intimate room.
Take a look at the AT website that Julie creatively prepares as it is filled with community events in full color that members are involved in and you can join them. This is a social-action community and they warmly greet you at the door, and offer Torah honors which feel really good. They offer important evening classes.
www.ahavattorahcongregation.org
MAZAL TOV to Lynn Stevens on celebrating her SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH.
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MALIBU Jewish Center & Synagogue weekly shabbat services with Rabbi Judith HaLevy & (Argentinean) Cantor Marcelo Gindlin. Go early for Rabbi Judith's deep Torah teachings. Sarah's Tent people study & davven at Malibu and love the rabbi who co-founded Sarah's Tent.
310 456-2178 www.mjcs.org
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THE ONE SOUL MINYAN, Monthly Saturdays, 10 am, with Rabbi Mark Borovitz of Beit T'Shuvah, rehab. center, exhilarating musical service held at Valley Beth Shalom and most months, third Shabbat. VBS Rabbi Ed Feinstein and other visiting rabbis participate in service. 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino 818 788-6000 www.vbs.org I truly appreciate this intimate meaningful service and when I don't bring my timbrel the pianist loans me hers. I wish we had more Shabbats each month so I can davven everywhere.
When Beit T'Shuvah offers their powerful musical performance, Freedom Song, do try to attend, as I did.

You may have read my Letter to the Editor, Jewish Journal, April 23. I spoke of this group.
http://www.jewishjournal.com/letters_to_the_editor/article/letters_april_24-30_2009_20090422/
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ONE SHABBAT MORNING with Craig Taubman & wonderful musicians at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. Sat., May 23. Call or google to confirm date of musical 10 am service with 9 am shiur sometimes, several times yearly. I love this service.
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HAPPY MINYAN meets regularly for all Jewish observances and classes in the 'Hood'. We founded this Orthodox minyan when our beloved Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt'l died 14 years ago. The chevre continue to meet and learn in Shlomo's light. It was the greatest blesSing in the universe for me to be his percussionist and personal chauffeur. Meets 9218 Pico Blvd. in a karate studio. Lots of visiting scholars. Check out their musical Havdalahs. http://www.happyminyan.org
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SHTIBL MINYAN, lay-led, meets weekly, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., LA (south of Pico) at Workman's Circle location on Sat. Mornings. www.shtibl.com


* * * * * * * HOLY GATHERINGS, ARTS, ETC.


Dancing with the Divine Shabbat Morning Prayers & Meditations with Paulette Rochelle-Levy, MFT. Sat., May 9, Location TBA call (310) 453-4053. Donations. paulette453@earthlink.net www.creativepathwithpaulette.com Gain new UnderStanding of the meditations of your heart as we embody traditional Shabbat prayers and sacred poetry through movement and stillness, expanding upon dance as a path to God. Author of Dancing with the Divine: Prayers & Meditations for Movement & Stillness and- And You Shall Be a Blessing and the newly released CD Medicine Words.
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A SHABBAT Meditation Circle with K'vod Wieder (AJU rabbinic student), 10 AM -12 PM, at Valley Beth Shalom, Teachers' Lounge, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91436. 310 424-0219. www.opentowonder.com
Our Open To Wonder Shabbat service (from AJU) and OPEN TO WONDER band is available to tour locally and bring joy and wonder to your service.

OPEN TO WONDER is at Brandeis Bardin for a Shavuot retreat through Shabbat. Thurs. - Sat, May 28-30.
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OPEN DOOR SHABBAT MAY 8, with the Owens and Lesters on alternating months. Celebrate and welcome the Sabbath Queen monthly 2nd Erev Shabbats, Fridays, 6:30 PM. Shayna & Eli Lester or Linda & Gerry Owens host each monthly Open Door Shabbat. Call them to confirm time, date, place in Santa Monica. Wonderful musicians and friends from all Renewal chevre including Sarah's tent. RSVP and advise what potluck vegetable, salad, fish or dessert you will share. Parking permits needed at Owen's home, so come by first to get permit.
What a mamash holy gift to us that our blessed friends open their doors for Shabbat to create sacred space for us all.
RSVP. RevShayna@roadrunner.com 310-650-8808

Both Linda and Shayna serve as Spiritual Directors, and may be hired, along with many other divine LA Jewish women.
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CHAI CENTER. Shabbat dinners for 60 !!! strangers, holidays, giant Sukkot, Pesach events and women's events. Schwartzie and Olivia (Schwartz). info@chaicenter.org www.chaicenter.org I love this Orthodox family and had a wonderful time with them meeting old and new friends. They were best friends with Reb Shlomo, zt'l. Do you know that Schwartzie is an ordained Chabad rabbi?

Video of Olivia Schwartz. http://www.chaicenter.org/chai_way_video.htm I love Olivia and I loved seeing this new video.
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Jewish Learning Exchange. So many great visiting scholars from Israel teach daily at JLE. 512 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 857-0923Can we have this in the Valley? Ask to receive their mailings.
info@jlela.com http://www.jlela.com
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OHR HAMAKOR / Light from The Source, A Home for Holistic Kabbala with Rabbi T'mimah Ickovits (Aleph graduate) deciphers essential wisdom from Kabbalistic traditions, showing its relevance for today. Serving as a teacher, Mashpia Ruhanee; Spiritual Guide, Rabbi T'mimah leads custom ritual events and serves as a prayer leader. Rabbi T'mimah teaches at Shavuot Retreat, Brandeis Bardin. www.opentowonder.com
RebbeT@KabbalahTmimah.org www.KabbalahTmimah.org 310 450-8808
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Women's Week. Ongoing spiritual activities and classes in the Orthodox North Hollywood area with wonderful teachers. Nina from The Happy Minyan created this wonderful program. 310 925-1132. jwomenevents@roadrunner.com
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JOY SHAKERS
"Make a joyful sound unto Hashem. Serve G*d with Joy." -Psalm 100:1-2.
"Let your hands take you where your feet can't go." - Joy Krauthammer
Take a sound journey with Joy Shakers.* Learn to creatively play EGGS and small, shaken percussion instruments from indigenous world cultures. Explore shaker rhythms, tempos, patterns. Shape sounds, and experiment with body and shaker movements and positions. Shake, swing, swirl and shuckle your shakers in the Four Worlds--spirit, mind, heart and body.

Embrace the shaker beat; expand your vitality, joy, love, gratitude, silence. Express passion--ecstasy and subtlety. Dance with the Divine. Reveal and share your blesSings and abunDance. Inspire others with sacred connection to the Creator.
Booking for Joy Shakers workshop, please write to me either at my personal address or joyofwisdom1@gmail.com
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REMO Music Center is offering KIDS free drum circles monthly on first SUNDAYS, from 11 - 11:45 AM. Check first before going. www.remo.com Adult drumming every week night. Check web for amazing activities. Drums provided at every event and circle. 818 982-0461, 7308 Coldwater, North Hollywood. Say hi to Mike & Jerry from Joy. Jerry told me that my "drum shtick are my stories." REMO's Women's Drum Day coming in July.
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SAVE DATE: Shalom/Salaam Film Salon
Film/Discussion. Sponsored by The Workmen's Circle & Brit Tzedek v'Shalom
Tue., June 2, The Band's Visit (Bikur Ha-Tizmoret): "When an Egyptian police brass band travels to Israel to play at the opening of an Arab arts center, they wind up abandoned and lost in a remote desert town in this charming cross-cultural comedy. Defying expectations, the tiny Israeli community embraces the musicians, and both the Egyptians and the locals learn a few things about one another -- and themselves -- in this witty winner of the Cannes Film Festival."

The Workmen's Circle (310) 552-2007 circle@circlesocal.org
1525 S. Robertson Blvd., LA (south of Pico) $5 suggested donation, Light refreshments. Call for current schedule.
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Skirball Cultural Center. Check out all the Jewish exhibits, concerts, theatre, dance, film, lectures, CAFE Z, events. Great Adult Learning program. Cart Sandwiches/salads sold at events.
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Lights, Camera, Action, Comic Book Heroes of Film and Television. Ends Aug. 9.
www.skirball.org 310 440-4500 Sepulveda Pass @ Skirball Drive (Mulholland Drive) Free on Thursdays.


* * * * * * * OUTSIDE LA


Going to Jerusalem? The ultimate Jerusalem calendar of events is published by Rabbi Yaacov Fogelman. Say HI from Joy. in LA
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SAVE THE DATE
ALEPH Kallah Registration Now
The 2009 Kallah, “Living in the Light of G!d: Making Every Day Holy” takes place this year at Ohio Wesleyan University. June 29 - July 5, 2009. Fabulous lineup of teachers, talented prayer leaders, artists, musicians, etc.

www.aleph.org/kallah.htm
or request a hardcopy by emailing: kallahadmin@rcn.com
Don't miss this amazing biennial event! I've been going since 1993 and totally love Kallah. This summer AriellaShira & I offer our Simchat Chochmah workshop, and I love singing in and accompanying Shir Ecstasy Jospel Choir directed by Sharon Alexander. Google them for some great videos on U Tube.
If anyone wants to experience Jospel, Sharon (from Switzerland) can bring Shir Ecstasy to your community in the two weeks before Kallah.

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Elat Chayyim at Isabella Freedman Center. Experience year-round Jewish Renewal retreats. I love this retreat center.)
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WOMEN'S KABBALAH CIRCLE ~ Kabbalah of the Heart & Womens Healing Circles. Scheduled Nov. - May in PALM DESERT, CA for info contact: Sarah's Tent member Lois~Raphaela Aurleey, Lois K. Rubin, Ph.D. Mind~Body~Spirit Healer, Meditation Instructor (760) 297-2164.
I love Lois. For those of you with family and friends in the Palm Springs, or doing mineral spas, do contact Lois for a divine experience.
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Rabbi Nadya Gross offers her wisdom school: “Secrets My Grandmother Told Me”. This two-year training program draws upon an evolving kabbalistic tradition, rooted in ancient wisdom, and transmitted orally through the generations by our grandmothers. Suggested by Reb Zalman. Joining the next group of initiates who will begin the journey in May.

Info: Ruach Ha’Aretz website: www.ruachhaaretz.com, and click on Grandmother’s picture. You may apply online, or contact Reb Nadya through the website with your questions. Rabbi Nadya Gross, co-Project Director, (I love Reb Nadya & her family and I am blessed to know them for three decades.)


* * * * * * * JOY's PERSONAL NOTE

Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) produced a one-hour documentary "A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal the World," which argues that the application of Jewish values is essential to respond to global warming and other environmental threats and to help shift our imperiled planet to a sustainable path. Highly acclaimed, by both Jews and non-Jews. "A Sacred Duty" can be found at www.ASacredDuty.com Complimentary copies of DVDs can be requested. Information about these issues can be found in many articles at JewishVeg.com/schwartz.
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Continuing Directory of Torah Teachers, Local & International mostly.
We have so many DIVINE JEWISH TEACHERS who are accessible to us. Write them to receive their weekly mails, or tune in their live webcasts. Who are your favorites?

Read Sarah's Tent and Malibu's JC&S Gerry Owens' Torah parsha commentary. I love his psychological direction. http://web.mac.com.gerrylinda for Reflections from Above . Write and ask Gerry (Open Door Shabbat host) to be on his list.
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To receive weekly deep Chassidic Torah Parsha teaching, contact Rachel Elana from the Happy Minyan. tikkunrachel@gmail.com
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My rebbe Yosef Ben Shlomo HaKohen sends out his Hazon - Our Universal Vision Torah teachings. Ask me for his e-address or click LINK. For years I study with this Jerusalem based teacher and continue to be deeply inspired and supported in my spiritual growth by Reb Yosef.
www.shemayisrael.com/publicat/hazon
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I love receiving the teachings from Miriam (AKA Mindy) Ribner. Write to Miriam and ask for her deep holiday teachings. Mindy is a disciple of Reb Shlomo, z'l, and she has been journeying around the world sharing her Kabbalistic meditations and counsel. Please see www.kabbalahoftheheart.com
For more information call 646-382-4696 or email Miriam@kabbalahoftheheart.com.
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Cyber class NOW & ongoing: Talmud-Torah-Tanach From an Ethical/Spiritual View Point
with Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal.
Sponsored by Hebrew College, a yeshiva for Rabbinic and Judaic studies. Online class is Jewish Spiritual Renewal based, transdenominational, interactive and mailed each Sunday. You can audit and participate in the class for free . E -mail RabbiASegal@aol.com for enrollment. Rabbi Segal is author of "The Handbook of Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew." A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud, " and "Spiritual Wisdom of the Talmudic Sages."

Arthur has a great sense of humor, compassion, chesed and understanding of human nature. Arthur always generously invites everyone to his family's home for Shabbat and holidays. I love it that this rabbi spends holidays going to senior facilities to bring joy and helps others to return to their Judaism.
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I love the deep teachings from the Jerusalem's Reb Carlebach Yeshivah www.shlomoyeshiva.org
shulim26@shlomoyeshiva.org
Write to Rabbi Sholom Brodt to receive his weekly teaching and see their video class schedules.
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Former LA teacher now living in the desert, fine Judaic artist, Michael Jacobs, for years has written a weekly Torah commentary. Interesting points and gematria from a scribe's point of view. Michaelojacobs@roadrunner.com
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Knowing Heart, Daat Tevunos by Ramchal with Yad Avraham's Rabbi Kalatsky. LIVE, Wednesday 10 am LA, 1 PM NY. Torah live, Tuesdays 9 AM LA time. Rav translates all the Hebrew. I love learning with him.
Watch live online at: http://www.yadavraham.org/Default.aspx?mediatitle=http://www.yadavraham.org/asx/live.asx&tabid=62
www.yadavraham.org/asx/live.asx&tabid=62
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I love Daily Dose from www.Chabad.org . You too can subscribe to this daily teaching of the Rebbe, revised by R. Tzvi Freeman. RABBI FREEMAN is scholar in residence for PASSOVER at Brandeis Bardin. For wonderful writings by Jewish women, also read www.TheJewishWoman.org on Chabad's web site. They include my writings. I've been a Chabadnic ever since I met the Rebbe in 1970 and he gave me a dollar.
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Learn Hebrew with Israeli teacher, Gilla Nissan, privately in her Valley home. You may know Gilla from AJU/UJ or Metivta. I love accompanying Gilla at special Metivta's services. Tuesdays from 7-8:30 PM.
Info Gilla29@msn.com or 818 990-7942
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Cantor Michael Russ teaches B'nei Mitzvot in the Valley. www.LChayimservices.com
Michael tutored me to read my Torah birth parsha for my Simchat Chochmah. 818 360-3468.
* * *

Shalom,
BlesSings to you for joy (gila, rena, ditza, simcha, chedva, sasson, tzachala),
JOY


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KABBALISTIC WORKSHOPS WITH JOY
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> SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH ~ JOY OF WISDOM
www.simchatchochmah.blogspot.com

> JOY SHAKERS
www.joyshakers.blogspot.com

> SOUNDS OF JOY
www.healingsoundsofjoy.blogspot.com

> MIRIYAHM HaNEVIAH
www.miriamhaneviah.blogspot.com

> G*D'S HOLIEST # 7
www.holiestnumber7.blogspot.com

> MENORAH

> SEPHIRAT HaOMER
www.sephirathaomer.blogspot.com

> JOY


> OPEN TO WONDER BAND
http://opentowonderband.blogspot.com/

> THE KINDRED SPIRITS
http://thekindredspirits.blogspot.com



Joy -- a percussionist, and her bands, OPEN TO WONDER, and KINDRED SPIRITS are also available for musical and spiritual gatherings.


> JOYous CHAI LIGHTS
www.joyouschailights.blogspot.com

.