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, July 2009, Tamuz, Av 5769



"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.
BlesSings, Joy Krauthammer


SHALOM CHEVRE,

If you know how I can make Joyous CHAI LIGHTS more accessible to you and easily readable, maybe on a different website or blog, please let me know.

I may possibly continue to send a link to you for this JOYous CHAI LIGHTS blog but if I don't, you now know how to find my monthly calendar. I am finally releasing this blog to the universe and allowing the "search engines" to locate Joyous Chai Lights. "Chai Lights" was birthed in the "Jewish Calendar Magazine" around 1983 and my monthly ARTS column lived there in hard copy about a dozen years.

A benefit to blog form vs. my e-mailing CHAI LIGHTS, is that I can add to it during the month, so if you want something included, feel free to let me know. In blog form, you can access this info at any time.

You are welcome to "COMMENT" at end of this long POST. I always love hearing from YOU. (My other BLOGS (PR memos mostly, not diaries) are visible by clicking MY PROFILE.)
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I'm happy and grateful to see that our shuls are now including COMMUNITY NEWS (Clal Yisroel) with greater social and spiritual consciousness on their own sites. I've encouraged this expansion for a long time. Shuls have followed the lead of Metivta, and now artistic sites include Ahavat Torah, B'nai Horin and Makom Ohr Shalom in offering Community News. Yasher Koach. View their SHUL sites below for community info.

Read the LA Jewish Journal web calendar for large listings. http://www.jewishjournal.com/
Another calendar site I appreciate for young adults is JConnect LA. http://www.jconnectla.com/
See what Samuel K. puts in his website, http://www.sacredfriends.com/.
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 in Four Worlds of spirit, mind, body and soul. Remember to try to use the Hebrew name both of the one in need, along with the mother's Hebrew name. Torah.org offers MiSheberach lists you can use and you can pray for those listed.
http://torah.org/services/cholim/

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/holidays, 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 Four Worlds path to The Tree of Life.

In the merit/zechus and light of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt'l, I love helping to make our universe a smaller world, one with more spiritual consciousness, connection, and chesed/lovingkindness. With spiritual Guidance, I make instinctual connections for people. I believe that music helps to cross boundaries and bring us closer to the Holy One, so I emphasize here those events, as well as learning and prayer opportunities. See my Reb Shlomo story at the end.

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. Information is subject to change. Please call event to confirm specific locations, times, fees. If you see an error that would be continued, please let me know.

PLEASE FORWARD JOYous CHAI LIGHTS TO YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY 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.

CONTENTS: Exceptional Chai Lights HAPPENINGS (i.e. spiritual retreats, festivals, ARTS, 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, then, HOLY GATHERINGS, ARTS, and OUTSIDE LA, and my PERSONAL NOTE at end of JOYous CHAI LIGHTS to learn of my mamash gevaldt rabbis and other teachers or teachings that I love as well as videos, etc.


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 HaNeviah for Rosh Chodeshes, Women's Passover Seders, Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt'l concerts or other spiritual events. I play for shuls and events throughout LA. Contact me if you want to invite KINDRED SPIRITS, my 18 member percussion group of REMO friends to join you, or if you want OPEN TO WONDER, my divine band,
http://www.opentowonderband.blogspot.com/ for your spiritual services. If your community/shul desires a sound healer, I'm available-- Sounds of Joy. http://www.healingsoundsofjoy.blogspot.com/

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, Joy, continue to offer Kabbalistic Four World
workshops on "Joy." See list at end.


* * * * * * * HAPPENINGS
Arts, Movies, Festivals, Retreats
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The 17th of Tammuz is a fast day in remembrance of Jerusalem's walls being breached and the beginning of the Three Weeks, a period of mourning commemorating events surrounding the destruction of the Temples and the subsequent exile of the Jews from the land of Israel. Go to
http://rebshlomo.org/ to read Reb Shlomo's Torahs and Stories about Tammuz.
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SKIRBALL's free outdoor rockin' Thursday night world-music CONCERTS are listed under HOLY GATHERINGS, halfway down. Go early to wait on line, because although free, it becomes sold out. Balcony outside was filled. First concert was great and museum stayed op;en til 10 pm to see exhibits. Check out cartoon exhibit before it closes.

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LIMMUDLA, a taste, Thursday, July 23, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Beverlywood. Space is limited so please RSVP to Taste@LimmudLA.org . Address and directions to the event will be provided upon receipt of RSVP.

Join LIMMUDLA for an evening of Jewish learning and get a taste of what to expect at the LimmudLA Annual Conference. With registration for Conference 2010 opening soon, this is a perfect opportunity to find out what the buzz is all about! Presenters include: Daniel Bouskila offering a taste of magical storyteller Shai Agnon. Marcus Freed leading an interactive Bibliodrama session. Cathie-Ann Lippman discussing alternative healing the Jewish way. David Suissa sharing insight from a Hartman Institute retreat in Jerusalem. Discuss new concepts, share ideas, and join your fellow Jewish Angelenos for a snack and a schmooze.
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MOVIES

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg and Making the Crooked Straight (Best Short Film, LAJFF) open July 24. See at LA Jewish Film Festival. www.LAJFilmFest.org info and tix www.laemmle.com
Q&A with Aviva Kempner, director.

Film Summaries: Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg. From Aviva Kempner, award-winning maker of THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HANK GREENBERG, comes this humorous and eye-opening story of television pioneer Gertrude Berg. She was the creator, principal writer, and star of The Goldbergs, a popular radio show about a Jewish family living in New York City which became television’s very first character-driven domestic sitcom in 1949. She combined social commentary, family values and lots of humor to win the hearts of America.


Making the Crooked Straight The story of one man’s journey to save the world by saving one child at a time. Dr. Rick Hodes has dedicated his life to helping heal the sick and poor of Ethiopia. Dr. Hodes arranges for complex overseas surgeries, often paying at his own expense, and has thus far adopted seventeen children, providing them with not only proper medical care, but a home and an education. (Dr Hodes is a friend of a friend and I have heard awesome stories of this hero.)

HOLD THE DATE

LA Jewish Film Festival, August 6, 7:30 pm premieres "The Wedding Song", Le Chant des Mariees. Q&A with Director and writter Karin Albou follows screening. Laemmle's Music Hall Theater, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., 9036 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, Arabic, French, German with English subtitles. http://www.lajfilmfest.org/ call 800-838-3006 323-938-2531.

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TOPANGA WORLD MUSIC AND DANCE FESTIVAL. Aug. 13-16. www.topangaworldfestival.com email topangaworldfestival@gmail.com or call 310-876-8017, Sounds like fun!

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SIN BY SILENCE. Free Documentry Screening: Aug. 18th, 7:30 PM. Ahavat Torah and Makom Ohr Shalom invite you to the acclaimed documentary "SIN BY SILENCE", A film produced and directed by Olivia Klaus, with guest speakers BRENDA CLUBINE and OLIVIA KLAUS, advocates against domestic violence. Location: Village Lutheran Church, 343 S. Church Lane, Brentwood, 90049 RSVP necessary, space limited. Please reply to: Shayna Lester revshayna@roadrunner.com 310-650-8808

This heart opening documentary is shown nationally and has received wide acclaim. It was filmed during meetings of ‘Convicted Women Against Abuse’ at the California Institution for Women (CIW). Stories of women incarcerated for the murder of their abusers. Brenda Clubine, a major player in the film, established the organization 'Convicted Women Against Abuse' while incarcerated at the California Institution for Women. It is directly because of her work as an advocate against domestic violence that Battered Women's Syndrome became a viable defense in a court of law as well as a mental health designation in the DSM IV, the code book of mental health disorders. Brenda was released after serving 26 years in prison in October, 2008, for the accidental killing of her husband who was physically abusing her. Brenda's mission in life, while in prison, and now in the free world, is to educate audiences about domestic violence. She hopes to reach young people before they become involved in abusive relationships. Go to http://www.sinbysilence.com/ to see about the film and to read a letter from Brenda. Refreshments will be served. Dear chevre, many of our LA friends volunteer at CIW. Please let women know about this important showing and maybe save their lives.

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Salon Film/Discussion. Sponsored by The Workmen's Circle & Brit Tzedek v'Shalom,
The Workmen's Circle (310) 552-2007 circle@circlesocal.org1525 S. Robertson Blvd., LA (south of Pico) $5 suggested donation, Light refreshments. Call for current schedule. Thank you to Lawrence Feinberg, Renewal member, for regularly arranging the films.
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KALLAH is listed under OUTSIDE LA. Fantastic retreat's registration is open for June 29-July 5. Kallah has PLENTY of work/study positions available. Discounted fees. Please contact Annie Klein,
mailto:annie.klein7@gmail.com) KALLAH appreciates donations during this economic crisis.
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p>

http://www.stefanivaladezmusic.com/ gives you all the info for singer Stefani's many group LA gigs this summer from zoo to Venice, 7-14,18,27, 8-1,9,25. Stefani always sings in enchanting voice at B'nai Horin during the High Holidays.

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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.
http://simchatchochmah.blogspot.com/
AriellaShira Lewis and I are offering SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH at ALEPH's week-long KALLAH retreat in Ohio beginning June 29 and to Makom Ohr Shalom members. Join us for dozens of exciting workshops and Shabbat. http://www.aleph.org/kallah.htm Click on IMPORTANT UPDATES for the afternoon Workshop Track.

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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.
http://www.joyshakers.blogspot.com/
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The ACADEMY FOR JEWISH RELIGION/CA (AJR) July 6-10 and July 13-17 for the first time, "opens its two sessions of summer classes to serious adult learners outside their regular programs".
http://www.ajrca.org/ 310 824-1586 . Near UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., LA 90024
AJR: A favorite teacher of mine over the last decade, Professor RONNIE SERR, teaches on Rabbi SHLOMO CARLEBACH, zt'l, Hasid Master. Other AJR summer topics include Mysteries of our calendar. Issues in Jewish education. Modern Jewish literature. Ancient teacher, Jesus. Science & Jewish mysticism. Issues in gay & lesbian studies. Ancient Jewish classics.
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*GOLDSTAR*: To sign up for FREE info on half-price ARTS tickets for events, theatre, music, etc. write:
http://www.goldstar.com/?p=f563067ff27
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When I am drumming & connecting to the Source of All BlesSings, I love seeing your smiling hearts radiating from Hashem and illuminating and reflecting Divine light, 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" Psalm 100:2
Serve G*D in Joy



* * * * * * * SHULS, MINYANS

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"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 (Heart of a Woman) SUMMER HIATUS. monthly Shabbat, Sat. , 9:30 A.M. LEV EISHA now meets 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 newsletter: http://www.leveisha.org/archive/latest.htm
http://www.leveisha.org/ and/or read ads in the LA Jewish Journal paper edition.

This service continues to be led by Rabbi Toba August and Cindy Paley accompanied by us ruach-filled musicians.

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 accompanied by us ruach-filled world music percussionists - Joy Krauthammer and Chris Gacsi, and soloists - Robin Winston, Mollie Wine & Toby Schwartz (who also beautifully chants Torah). Chaplain Ruth Belonsky joins us on violin. 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. Men are welcome.
* a joyous, spiritual sanctuary for women of all ages and affiliations to come together in enthusiasm, heart, energy & intellect: in song, prayer, study, dance, meditation and spiritual growth.
* the first Saturday /Shabbat of every month your other rabbis know where you are. 310 575-0986 Join us.
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MAKOM OHR SHALOM EnCHANTing Erev Shabbats in Valley, Fridays July 3 and 17, 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, Eli Lester, drummer & Steve Berman, harmonica. 5619 Lindley @ Burbank, NW corner in host church, Tarzana. Shabbat dinners, Havdalahs, Havurahs, healing services.
http://www.makom.org/
Makom members greet all the people at the door and it feels good to be welcomed. When I'm there early, I greet arriving people.
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CARTOON that I LOVE by Steve Greenberg

(Jewish Journal cartoonist)

illustrating Jewish Spiritual Renewal. Cartoon musicians include: flutist, Richard Hardy, and myself-- Joy Krauthammer, timbrel player in purple, both of us Reb Shlomo, zt"l musicians, and Alula (from Ethiopia), and Cantorial soloist Mark Bachrach on shofar; all of us from Rabbi Stan Levy's congregation B'nai Horin during the High Holidays at AJU's Brandeis Bardin.

B'NAI HORIN-Children of Freedom, once monthly intimate Shabbat services, 10 am - 1:30 pm, Rabbi Stan Levy, Rabbi Laura Owens, Marc Bachrach, cantorial soloist. As a member for two decades of this 40 year old shul, you may find me there with my timbrel in hand and with an open heart, dancing in the garden. Summer Hiatus ? Dates TBA

Regular Contribution: $15 B'nai Horin members, $20 guests. First-timers: no charge. 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.
http://www.bnaihorin.com/ Lovely new website. Yasher Koach. (310) 441-4434.

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AHAVAT TORAH Congregation. Weekly, lively Shabbat service and pot-luck buffet luncheon. Every Sat. 9 AM Israeli-born Rabbi Miriam Hamrell (AJR ordained) teaches Mussar/Pirkey Avot-Ethics of our Father, and 10 AM Shabbat service with Rabbi Miriam Hamrell and Gary Levine (opera-trained)- cantorial soloist and others accompanied by Joel Warren, pianist. Guest Torah teachers. Participatory musical worship service. I plan to be percussionist there one Shabbat in July. Date TBA

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. I love receiving Torah aliyahs. I love feeling winged angels flying high from the sweet sounds.

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.
http://www.ahavattorahcongregation.org/
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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, prayer, song, dance, spirit, study. Sisterhood minyan led by and for women and all are invited. Summer hiatus. Check the VBS website or call the shul to confirm dates & time for the next Women's Shabbat service. (Not always Sat. AM, some Rosh Chodeshes and holidays) Join us. Meets at Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 91436.(818) 788-6000 or Susan: (818) 343-3078
http://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 Sat. services. Lay led meets both in LA and the Valley for Shabbat services, Shabbat dinner, meditations and classes. Fills quickly. Call for dates TBA 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.

It is a gift that Metivta Valley members like Gilla Nissan and the Glasers and Morgensterns offer their homes for spiritual Services. 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. http://www.metivta.org/
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MALIBU Jewish Center & Synagogue weekly Shabbat services with Rabbi Judith HaLevy & (Argentinean) Cantor Marcelo Gindlin. Chaplain Ruth Belonsky plays exquisite soulful violin. 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. Shabbat at the Beach is offered some summer Friday nights. If I didn't live so far, I'd be learning there all the time. Torah study 9:30 am, Service 11:30. 310 456-2178
http://www.mjcs.org/
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THE ONE SOUL MINYAN, Monthly Saturdays, 10 am, with Rabbi Mark Borovitz of Beit T'Shuvah (addiction rehabilitation center), exhilarating musical service held at Valley Beth Shalom location and most months, third Shabbat. VBS Rabbi Ed Feinstein and other visiting rabbis participate in service.

15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino 818 788-6000 http://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. They may be on summer hiatus(?). Meets regularly at 8831 Venice Blvd. LA

http://www.beittshuvahla.org/ 310 204-5200 This organization collects for their thrift store.

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ONE SHABBAT MORNING (OSM) with Craig Taubman & wonderful musicians at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. Sat., Call or google to confirm date of musical 10 am service with 9 am guest shiur sometimes, several times yearly. I love this service and the special themes. This is one of the minyans (like Lev Eisha) which attract other shul congregants from all over the greater LA area. Summer hiatus.

I am offering my Joy Shakers workshop at a Fall 2009 OSM service. DATE TBA. The congregants are given colorful egg shakers to use to enable greater musical participation, and I'll share a few techniques. I love it when percussionist Jeff loans me his dumbek.

Check out Craig's other Shabbats at Sinai Temple. (and his web site for terrific Jewish music.)
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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 1/2 years ago. The chevre continues to meet and learn in Shlomo's light. It was the greatest blesSing in the universe for me to be Shlomo's percussionist and personal chauffeur.

Meets 9218 Pico Blvd. in a karate studio (across from Pat's). Visiting scholars. Musical Havdalahs. Yehuda of Moshav Band davvens with Happy Minyan.
MOSHAV - does many Melave Malka Concerts, Sat nite, Happy Minyan, Mitzvah g'dola lihiyot b'simcha Tamid. It's a big mitzvah to be happy.
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.
http://www.shtibl.com/

* * * * * * * HOLY GATHERINGS

Shabbats, Museums: concerts, More ARTS, Workshops, classes, etc.

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OPEN DOOR SHABBAT, 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, location in Santa Monica. July at the Owens.

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 other divine LA Jewish women for this holy work. Mazal Tov to the Lesters on their just born granddaughter in Efrat.

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CHAI CENTER. Shabbat dinners for 60 !!! strangers, holidays, giant Sukkot, Pesach events and women's events. Schwartzie and Olivia (Schwartz). During summer the Schwartzies are in Tzfat at Ascent.
info@chaicenter.org http://www.chaicenter.org/

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DANCING WITH the DIVINE Shabbat Morning Prayers & Meditations with Paulette Rochelle-Levy, MFT. Saturday morning, July 18, 10 AM for Dancing with the Divine Shabbat.

Location TBA call (310) 453-4053. Donations. paulette453@earthlink.net http://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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Jewish Learning Exchange. So many great visiting scholars from Israel teach daily at JLE. 512 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 857-0923. Can 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. RebbeT@KabbalahTmimah.org http://www.kabbalahtmimah.org/ 310 450-8808
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Bais Chana women's LA school is run by rebbetzin Yehudit Eichenblatt. Wonderful teachers learned with the finest Kabbalah teachers. Single lectures, Rosh Chodeshes, farbrengens for The Rebbe, z'l. I first met Yehudit when Reb Shlomo, z'l used to stay in her parents' LA home and I loved learning with her chevre.
http://www.baischanaca.com/
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Women's Week. Not sure about the classes since dear Nina this month has made aliyah. Ongoing spiritual activities and classes in the Orthodox North Hollywood area with wonderful teachers. We will miss her here. May Nina be blessed to continue her good work in the Holy Land.
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SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH ~ Joy of Wisdom 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? Become a "wisdom keeper" in a Jewish Eldering rite of passage ceremony.

I would love to offer this workshop to your spiritual community. Write to me to book a workshop, or if you have questions. http://www.simchatchochmah.blogspot.com/
Joy, MBA (UJ) Serving G*d With Joy, artist, poet, percussionist, Chai Lights publisher, PR consultant, workshop leader, ritual guide, 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 Joy of Wisdom ritual), and have studied some with Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi's Spritual Eldering Project / Aleph Sage-ing Project, as well as with Marcia Cohn Spiegel, #2 Simchat Chochmah. Many

Wonderful Women With Wisdom joined us at Sarah's Tent, LimmudLA, Wagner Women Retreat, Jewish Federation, Aleph's KALLAH, and AJU workshops and are ready for part II. If you've had part I, let's prepare for part 2.

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JOY SHAKERS with 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. Booking for Joy Shakers workshop, please write to me either at my personal address or

joyofwisdom1 at gmail.com http://www.joyshakers.blogspot.com/
Upcoming session in Fall 2009 with One Shabbat Morning.

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REMO Music Center
is offering the best! KIDS free drum circles monthly on first SUNDAYS, from 11 - 11:45 AM. Check first before going.
http://www.remo.com/ Adult drumming every week night. Check web for amazing activities. Drums provided at every event and circle. Last summer there were a few hundred drummers at REMO's drum circle and friends even shlepped from LA to the Valley. 818 982-0461, 7308 Coldwater, North Hollywood.



Say hi to facilitator's Mike & Jerry from Joy. Jerry told me that my "drum shtick are my stories." REMO's Women's Drum Day coming. DATE TBA.

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SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER. Enjoy the Jewish exhibits, concerts, theatre, dance, film, lectures, Passport Screenings, events. Great Adult Learning program. Tasty "Cart" sandwiches/salads sold at events and buffet dinner for some concerts. Lights, Camera, Action, Comic Book Heroes of Film and Television-- Ends Aug. 9.

http://www.skirball.org/ 310 440-4500 Sepulveda Pass @ Skirball Drive (Mulholland Drive) Free on Thursdays. Summertime means the Skirball's fantastic outside free Thursday sunset concerts are happening.

Skirball's SUNSET CONCERTS, Thursdays; July 16–August 13, 8:00 p.m., Free; no reservations, Limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis, Be on line at 6:30 pm. On-site parking: $5 per car. Celebrating musical traditions from around the globe! I love dancing here every summer.

ISSA BAGAYOGO, July 16, Malian musical great. A fleet-fingered player of the n’goni (three-stringed lute), he infuses the acoustic, organic traditions of his West African homeland with elements of rock, funk, dub, and electronica.


MIKE MARSHALL, DAROL ANGER, AND VÄSEN, July 23, L.A. premiere! sophisticated arrangements, rich global sounds, new acoustic music, and enduring melodies. Two celebrated architects of American bluegrass, Mike Marshall on mandolin and Darol Anger on fiddle, join forces with Sweden’s influential instrumental trio Väsen. Together the five virtuosos create a dynamic soundscape that bridges the gap between the fiddle and dance tunes of Appalachia and the nyckelharpa (Swedish key fiddle) and polskas of Sweden.


GADJI -GADJO. L.A. July 30. premiere! Led by accordionist Mélanie Bergeron and also featuring violin, mandolin, clarinet, guitar, double bass, and percussion, this beloved Quebec-based band reinvigorates the Roma and klezmer traditions of Eastern Europe with diverse world influences. With its zesty, high-spirited live show, pairing original compositions and masterful improvisations, Gadji-Gadjo has become a young favorite on the world-music festival circuit. Co-presented by Yiddishkayt Los Angeles.


THE WILD MAGNOLIAS Aug. 6. Mardi Gras in summertime! upbeat music and ornate costumes, the Wild Magnolias are an ebullient example of the mania that envelops New Orleans on Fat Tuesday. Well known for their on-stage flamboyance and funky roots music, the ensemble not only brings fans to their feet but also celebrates the life and culture of the Mardi Gras Indians—originally a secret society of African Americans that battled segregation in the late 1800s and whose name pays tribute to the Native Americans who assisted runaway slaves before emancipation.


Related Film TOOTIE’S LAST SUIT, Wednesday, August 5, 7:30 p.m., $5 General; Free to Skirball Members. Advance tickets: Available on site at the Skirball, online at http://www.blogger.com/, or by phone at (877) SCC-4TIX or (877) 722-4849
On the eve of the Wild Magnolias’ performance at the Skirball, watch this documentary about New Orleans’ vibrant Mardi Gras Indian culture. Produced and directed by Lisa Katzman, the film profiles the late legendary Allison “Tootie” Montana. Long admired for his gorgeously beaded and feathered Mardi Gras costumes, “Tootie” is revered for turning Mardi Gras Indian life away from gang-style violence toward artistic accomplishment and innovation. (2006, 97 min. No MPAA rating.)


OMAR FARUK TEKBILEK ENSEMBLE, August 13, master player of various Middle Eastern reed instruments, lutes, and percussion, Omar Faruk Tekbilek is one of the most sought-after Turkish/Middle Eastern musicians living in the United States. Worldwide touring and an openness to music from all cultures position him as a rare artist who transcends political obstacles while maintaining traditional sensibilities.

I won't be here for Omar Faruk Tekbilek, but I've been with him at the Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp, Mendocino, where I spent a couple summers learning from the masters of middle eastern sounds, so I know he's the best.



* * * * * * * OUTSIDE LA

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8th Annual CARLEBACH SHABBATON BY THE SEA, NY, July 17 & 18. Great davening, singing, learning, and food. With Reb Nossen and Rebbetzin Channah Schafer and many more of our Chevrah. 26 Tamuz 5769, Shabbos Parshas Matos-Masei, Shabbos Mevarchin. Davening and meals will take place at, the Young Israel of Long Beach, NY, 120 Long Beach Blvd. KUMZITS MELAVEH MALKAH. RSVP and more information. Call Chaya Adler Poretsky (516) 432-7260, MOSHCHAYA@AOL.COM . This was my husband's, z'l shul in NY so I am glad to know of the Shabbaton there.

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Going to Jerusalem? The ultimate Jerusalem e-calendar of events is published by Rabbi Yaacov Fogelman. Say HI from Joy in LA.

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2009 ALEPH Kallah “Living in the Light of G!d: Making Every Day Holy” at Ohio Wesleyan University. June 29 - July 5. Fabulous lineup of teachers, talented prayer leaders, artists, musicians.www.aleph.org/kallah.htm : 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.

Kallah still has PLENTY of work/study positions available. This is a wonderful way both to be of service and part of the Kallah team... as well as to save some money. NO limit on how much work/study a person can earn....Please contact Annie Klein, (annie.klein7@gmail.com)

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EMUNA Witt HaLevi, a holy sister and Kol Chevra's editor, will be visiting on the East Coast from the Holy Land, Aug. 3 - Aug. 13. 2009 Workshop Tour, Transforming Ourselves and the World with the Rebbe's Torahs. I remember all the holy times that she hosted Reb Shlomo, z'l in her home.
Write to Emuna for details. emunawitt14@yahoo.com

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Elat Chayyim at Isabella Freedman Center. Experience weekly/Shabbat year-round Jewish Renewal retreats with wonderful teachers by a lovely lake in the Berkshires. I love this retreat center.) http://www.isabellafreedman.org/elatchayyim

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

Writings, Videos, Teachers, etc

KOL CHEVRE, The Voice of the Chevra of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, z'l, is NOW accepting articles (2-3 pages) for the 15th Issue for 15th yahrzeit. Theme: Moments, Tikun, Vision. Send memories, stories, Your Torahs, Reb Shlomo Torahs, poetry, Reb Shlomo photos. Donations welcome for mazal tov announcements (with photos, especially babies!!!), condolences, ads, artwork. Add a little blurb about yourself, so we all get connected!! Don't hold back, give nachos to the Rebbe!!

Emuna's coming to East Coast. See OUTSIDE LA for details.

Thank you, emuna emunawitt14@yahoo.com emuna.witt@rebshlomo.org 050-862-9040 kolchevra@rebshlomo.org The Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach Foundation info@rebshlomo.org Jerusalem, Israel http://www.rebshlomo.org/
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JEWELS OF ELUL, inspirations for the High Holy Days, compiled by Craig Taubman. This year 29 contributors share their Inspirations on the Art of Forgiving; their wrestling with reconciling, moving forward and returning. The Jewels is available online beginning August 21, at http://www.jewelsofelul.com/. Jewels of Elul books is available in bulk quantities for Temples and organizations to share with their communities. Order books or sign up for the daily Jewel email HERE. Craig asks that donations for the book be made to Jewish Family Service. Each year I mamash enjoy the delights in this small booklet.

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RUTH FOGELMAN's newest book of poetry and photographs is at the printers: "Cradled in God's Arms." I have been reading Ruth's poetry for years and have her photos of the Old City on my wall. Ruth's writings from the Jewish Quarter are for me an umbilical cord through the heart to holy Jerusalem; My soul deeply connects. Ruth taught me how to tie my tichels / head scarves. http://www.geocities.com/jerusalemlives/

Ruth Fogelman is the author of "Within the Walls of Jerusalem - A Personal Perspective." Her writing and photography have appeared in numerous anthologies and other publications in Israel, the USA and India. Ruth is a facilitator of the Pri Hadash Women’s Writing Workshop in Jerusalem and finished her Masters Degree in the Creative Writing Program at Bar Ilan University. For me, Ruthie is a drumming, purple loving, soul sister.

Here are links to Ruth reading from her new book at the release party:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NSJ9UxvqTk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93j42TUDK-I&feature=channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLgesDkRbqQ&feature=channel

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Tablet Magazine (www.tabletmag.com), a daily online magazine of Jewish news, ideas, and culture, launched June 9. Tablet Magazine offers up-to-the-minute reactions to the day’s news, sophisticated cultural coverage, and in-depth investigations of broad trends in Jewish life. It combines a newspaper’s skepticism, a journal’s thoughtfulness, and a blog’s immediacy. Marissa Brostoff, daughter of LA's Marlene & Neil Brostoff, is staff writer. Yasher Koach
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JConnectLA weekly Jewish calendar for my daughter's generation.
http://www.jconnectla.com/

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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. "A Sacred Duty" http://www.asacredduty.com/ Complimentary copies of DVDs. Many articles at JewishVeg.com/schwartz. Shown at Kallah and Limmud.

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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?

Torah parsha teachings from Academy of Jewish Religion, LA http://www.ajrca.org/parsha_of_the_week.shtml
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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 (gracious 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 the 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. http://www.kabbalahoftheheart.com/For more information call 646-382-4696 or email Miriam@kabbalahoftheheart.com
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A SIMPLE JEW. A blog I've discovered http://asimplejew.blogspot.com/
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I bought the first edition of JEWISH VIEWS OF THE AFTERLIFE from the author, Simcha Raphael, at Elat Chayyim, and now a 2nd edition is published by Rowman and Littlefield. I loved it that Rabbi Simcha recognzied my husband, z'l from visiting at his home in Montreal years earlier. (This last Shabbat at Metivta, people expressed their desire to know more on "afterlife", so here's a good book.)

JEWISH VIEWS OF THE AFTERLIFE presents a compilation of sources on the topic of life after death in Jewish tradition, drawing from Bible, Apocrypha, rabbinic literature, medieval philosophy, medieval. Book offers a "Kabbalistic-Psychological" model of the afterlife, based upon the four worlds teachings of Reb Zalman, and neo-Hasidism.
New material on afterlife in the practice of Jewish rituals of dying, death, burial, mourning and memorialization. Forward by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.
http://www.simcharaphael.com/ .
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Use this link to connect to other teachings from Rabbi David Ingber, Romemu, NY.
I have greatly enjoyed learning with him at Elat Chayyim and LimmudLA and look forward to a service with him this summer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxEN1mA3SqE&feature=channel_page
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http://www.jewishspiritualrenewal.net/ for two books by Rabbi Arthur Segal. RabbiASegal@aol.com to subscribe to his Talmud teachings.
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I love the mamash gevaldt deep teachings from the Jerusalem's Reb Carlebach Yeshivah
http://www.shlomoyeshiva.org/ http://www.oneg.tv/video/homepageshulim26@shlomoyeshiva.org
Write to Rabbi Sholom Brodt to receive his weekly teaching and see their video class schedules. Invite him to your community. "To gather the holy sparks, is a task that we are all engaged in. Each time you drink some water or eat some food, if you do this in a holy way and then use the energy of the food and drink to do good deeds, to study Torah, to pray and to do acts of loving kindness, you are gathering and elevating the holy sparks that were 'trapped' or contained in the food and drink.

"The four corners of the Tallis teach us that it is our responsibility to reach out to all four corners of the world - whichever direction we are walking in, wherever we may be at the moment, there are sparks of holiness that are waiting to be gathered and elevated. Each time we do so we are affirming and strengthening the unity of the worlds." - Rabbi Sholom Brodt

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When I would slowly walk to shul on Shabbat in Jerusalem with Reb Shlomo, z'l, I mamash deeply felt that Shlomo was pulling in "all four corners of the world" just like tzitsit on a tallit. At each intersection, people increasing in number, came to Shlomo to greet him and ask for his bruchot / prayers and mitzvot, which he later delivered. I told Shlomo he was the "Pied Piper." He was cute and said that I was "the Pied" and he was "the Piper". I know that Shlomo's kavenah / intention of "uniting the worlds" was met when the chasidim with black hats and peyis would recognize and greet me at other times, when Shlomo was not present.

Years ago, I once heard Malavah Malkah dancers in Berkeley call out loud, "Shlomo is not even here and we continue to dance." We dance in Shlomo's zechut / merit. May we be blessed to dance. Reb Shlomo would share, "Our feet can take us where our minds can not go."

with love, Joy
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Read Jerusalem Rabbi Yaakov Fogelman's Torahs at:
top@actcom.co.il .
www.israelVisit.co.il/top Latest e-mail studies archived at http://www.shamash.org/.
I have been blessed to meet this rabbi and have Shabbat in his home in the Old City. I LOVE HIS FAMILY.
Ruth Fogelman is a divine poet.
http://www.geocities.com/jerusalemlives/
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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. The Rav translates all his Hebrew. Watch live online at: http://www.yadavraham.org/Default.aspx?
mediatitle=http://www.yadavraham.org/asx/live.asx&tabid=62
http://www.yadavraham.org/asx/live.asx&tabid=62

Video Broadcasts at www.yadavraham.org

To download this week's commentaries please go to: http://www.yadavraham.net/documents/Korach2009.doc

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I love DAILY DOSE from
http://www.chabad.org/ . You too can subscribe to this daily teaching of the Rebbe, revised by R. Tzvi Freeman.

For wonderful writings by Jewish women, also read http://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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A Jewish paper that I was reading today:
http://forward.com/current-edition/

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Learn HEBREW and B'nei Mitzvot studies with Israeli metaphysical teacher, Gilla Nissan, privately in her Valley home. You may know Gilla from AJU/UJ or Metivta. I love accompanying Gilla at special Metivta services.Info: Gilla29@msn.com or 818 990-7942

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Cantor Michael Russ teaches B'NAI MITZVOT privately in the Valley. http://www.lchayimservices.com/

Michael tutored me to read my Torah birth parsha for my Simchat Chochmah. 818 360-3468.

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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
http://www.simchatchochmah.blogspot.com/>

JOY SHAKERS
http://www.joyshakers.blogspot.com/>
SOUNDS OF JOY
http://www.healingsoundsofjoy.blogspot.com/>
MIRIYAHM HaNEVIAH
http://www.miriamhaneviah.blogspot.com/>
G*D'S HOLIEST # 7
http://www.holiestnumber7.blogspot.com/>
SEPHIRAT HaOMER
http://www.sephirathaomer.blogspot.com/> JOY
> MENORAH>
http://www.templemenorah.blogspot.com/
OPEN TO WONDER BAND
http://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
http://www.joyouschailights.blogspot.com/