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 June 2009 Sivan, Tamuz 5769

JOYous CHAI LIGHTS
June 2009 ~ Sivan & Tamuz 5769
Happy Summer Solstice

"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 for my favorite Parshat BaHa'alotecha.
Raise up your lights.

Joy Krauthammer


SHALOM CHEVRE,

If anyone knows how I can make Joyous CHAI LIGHTS more accessible to you and easily readable, maybe on a different website or blog, without my sending individually to each of you the whole CHAI LIGHTS, 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. This is my new Blog venture with Joyous CHAI LIGHTS and I am grateful for the space. To celebrate my Gemini birthday 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 monthly "Jewish Calendar Magazine" around 1983 and my column lived there in hard copy about a dozen years.

A benefit to blog form vs. my mailing out CHAI LIGHTS, is that I can add to it during the month, so if you want something included, feel free to let me know.

You are welcome to COMMENT at end of this POST. I always love hearing from YOU. (My other BLOGS 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. Another calendar site I appreciate for young adults is JConnect LA. http://www.jconnectla.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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MAZAL TOV ON THE CHUPPAH OF KAREN & IAN KROOP.
May you be blessed with a shefa of rejoicing, jublilation, pleasure and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship, health and lots of drumming and joy.
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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, z'l, I love helping to make our universe a smaller world, one with more spiritual consciousness, connection, and chesed/lovingkindness. 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 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 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.) Let me know if you have favorite teachers OR events to include or a better calendar system.

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 20 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."


* * * * * * * HAPPENINGS

Reb DOVID ZELLER's, zt'l, 2nd yahrzeit is 8 Sivan, Sunday, May 31 this year.

I wish I was in Efrat with his family and chevre. My heart fills when I think of dear Reb Zeller. Open these links below and hear him sing, in his angel voice, and see the new PHOTO GALLERY SLIDE SHOW of the different remarkable people David wrote about, and photos of him at different stops along his spiritual journey.

http://davidzeller.org/book/ The Soul of the Story
http://www.davidzeller.org/ . Order and listen to David Zeller's songs for meditation, relaxation and inspiration
David Zeller Foundation info@davidzeller.org If you have photos and memories to share, write to the family who has suffered such a huge loss.
If you Google Reb Zeller, you can probably find some of his teachings, and the long story I wrote about him which is also in a published book about Reb Dovid.
I miss him so much; I loved him as my very first rebbe.

Photo-Rabbi David Zeller, Joy Krauthammer, Happy Minyan, 1997 Beth Jacob

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May 31, 3 pm, book signing by Steve Greenberg, LA Jewish Journal political cartoonist and Renewal Jew has published his first book, "Fine-Tooning the Planet." MAZAL TOV. A collection of 120 cartoons from Steve's 30-year career. With his creative gifts, Steve has given much to community. Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring, 1525 S. Robertson. http://www.circlesocal.org/
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METIVTA MEDITATION Annual RETREAT, June 5-7, Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Encino. The retreat includes meditation, prayer, chant, contemplative teachings, ritual, and study. Also, Zhikr (remembrance), a powerful practice that incorporates chant, breath, movement, and meditation. Teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Omer-Man, Metivta’s founder led by senior Metivta teachers, including Rabbi Ivan Ickovits, Gilla Nissan, Perry Oretzky, Lyle Poncher, and Marilyn Zweifach. I greatly enjoyed the pre-High Holiday day retreat I had with Metivta. http://www.metivta.org/ metivta@metivta.org

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LEV EISHA (Heart of a Woman), monthly Shabbat services by women for women (men invited) with us regular ruach-filled musicians, has moved to a new location at Temple Akiba, June 6, 9:30 AM. Early 8:30 AM Breakfast teaching this month with Rabbi August.

MAZAL TOV. I personally invite you to the Lev Eisha Shabbat service & Kiddush following service in honor of recent SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH of Lynn Stevens, Leah Gila Chaya, a new "Simchat Chochmah ~ Joy of Wisdom" woman who has become a "wisdom keeper" in her Jewish Eldering rite of passage ceremony. Full details in SHULS below.
5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, 90230. June Newsletter:

http://www.leveisha.org/archive/latest.htm www.leveisha.org
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ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL # 24, June 3-18. LA and the Valley, sponsored by IsraFest Foundation. Celebration of more than 30 new Israeli feature films in Hebrew with English subtitles, thought-provoking documentaries, award-winning TV dramas, and innovative student shorts. Opening Night Gala June 3, Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood. Every day but Shabbos, both locations, matinees and evenings, a few movies each day. Fine Arts Theatre, Wilshire @ LaCienega, Beverly Hills, 310 360-0455, and Laemmle Fallbrook 7, 6713 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills. 818 340-8710. It's always fun to find your old friends on the ticket lines. If you have a favorite film, let me know, we can meet there. Tickets and sponsorship 1-877 966-5566. www.israelfilmfestival.com info@israelfilmfestival.com Buy Tickets

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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.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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Contemporary Crafts Market. 250 finest artisans. You may find here wonderful Jewish artists, Shula Baron and Ruth Shapiro and others. June 5,6,7, 10 am -6pm. My definite favorite crafts show. I'm spending my birthday here; come join me. (You probably didn't know that I used to be a weaver, and a professional potter since the sixties, etc. My heart is still there. I taught ceramics both in NY and LA art schools before becoming a drummer. Ask me why I changed careers...) Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St. Santa Monica. http://www.contemporarycraftsmarket.com/judaica.html 310 285-3655

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Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum is coming to LA from Israel. For his whole schedule for from June 11-17, click the link and then go to the home page. I've been blessed to learn with the former New Yorker for the last two decades, and on one of his last visits I loved accompanying him.)

http://www.azamra.org/news.shtml Info, directions, reservations: 310.741.8359

The KABALAH OF MUSIC with American born, Israeli Breslover, Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum and musician Yuval Ron. They are both terrific. Thurs, June 11. Saban Theatre, formerly Wilshire Theatre. 323 655-9900.

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KINDRED SPIRITS LIVE at The Walt Disney Concert Hall, June 7, 7 pm. Concert featuring Ilan Davidson, Ron Li-Paz, Ilysia Pierce and Gospel choir with the LA Jewish Symphony. You'll recognize some of our favorite singing shul members. http://www.kindredspiritslive.org/, 424 785-1563. (Disclaimer: this is not my 18 member Kindred Spirits percussion band.)

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Makom Ohr Shalom honors Shayna & Eli Lester Lester, Sat night, June 13, for their years of community service with a fundraising concert of Eli's music at the Writer's Guild Theatre, 135 S. Doheny Dr. , Beverly Hills. 8 PM. http://www.makom.org/ 818 725-7600. MAZAL TOV

(I recall with gratitude when Eli accompanied me when I was creating performance art ("I am a Holy Vessel") for chevre a dozen years ago, and also when Shayna offered me spiritual guidance when my husband, z'l died. Generously, both do so much for Renewal Judaism.)

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SUMMER SOLSTICE http://www.liveh2ounitedbylove.com/ LIVE WORLD WIDE BROADCAST CELEBRATION FOR OUR BLUE PLANET JUNE 19-21. This Summer Solstice1 Granada Ave, Belmont Shore Beach/Long Beach. Prayer time at 5 pm PST on Sunday, 6-21. Hundreds of thousands of people will be gathering on beaches all over the world in this simultaneous prayer event where we will express love and gratitude for our Living Waters TO RAISE GLOBAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND TO HEAL THE WORLD. We invite you to be part of a historical experiment to shift global consciousness through music and prayer. Donations accepted online.

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KALLAH is listed under OUTSIDE LA. Fantastic retreat registration is open for June 29-July 5. Kallah has PLENTY of work/study positions available. Please contact Annie Klein, (annie.klein7@gmail.com) If you see me, I'll show you Kallah brochure.

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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. http://simchatchochmah.blogspot.com/

AriellaShira Lewis and I are offering SIMCHAT CHOCHMAH at ALEPH's week-long KALLAH retreat this summer in Ohio beginning June 29. 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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MAZAL TOV to all the many newest RABBINIC, CANTORIAL, CHAPLAINCY Smeecha Ordinees. Academy of Jewish Religion Rabbi Barbara Zacky is from Sarah's Tent. Chaplain Barbara Singer is working with Skirball Hospice. I totally loved witnessing these last seven AJR magnificent ordinations. Maybe next year I'll make it to AJU and HUC. Each Monday morning last semester I made it to an AJR class early so that I could davven with these inspiring students.

SAVE THE DATE: 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 July 6-10 in the five afternoons on Rabbi SHLOMO CARLEBACH, zt'l, Hasid Master. You may know Ronnie from AJR, Metivta, Ahavat Torah, Happy Minyan, or his personal classes, Shir HaShirim. Ronnie appreciates Reb Shlomo for being the most brilliant Torah scholar that he was. One afternoon, possibly Tuesday 7-7 (because I love G*d's holiest number 7), I share a few minutes of my personal photos & stories from when, as percussionist, I accompanied Reb Shlomo, of blessed memory. Last time I shared at VBS Farbrengan, the rabbi and cantor had to pull me off the bima because the endless stories kept coming. Please call AJR and register.

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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Michael Cohen's MAJESTIC CATERERS delighted me tonight with the very best kosher catering at the pre-concert dinner for the Cantors Sing for Life concert fundraiser for American Friends of Magen David Adom. I have hired Michael myself, and it was so good again to be nourished with his delicious food. (Shomrei Torah Synagogue--818 226-0677).

All the LA cantors sang beautifully. I've gone before to their concerts and tonight Cantors Marcelo and Mariana Gindlin prepared a fantastic evening of song for an important Israeli cause. Look for next year's concert.

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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

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

"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) monthly Shabbat, this Sat. June 6, 9:30 AM and 8:30 AM teaching breakfast. LEV EISHA meets in 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 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 with 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.
* 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 June 5, 19, 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.

June 13th. MOS honors Shayna & Eli Lester for all their Jewish Renewal & Interfaith community work with concert of Eli's music at the Writer's Guild in Beverly Hills. Details: see HAPPENINGS.

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B'NAI HORIN-Children of Freedom, once monthly intimate Shabbat services, June 20 (held elsewhere for a Bar Mitzvah), 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. Shavuot service- May 30. Mazal Tov on the new Torah. With so many B'nei Mitzvot students in the best program run by Rina Daly, this new Torah is appreciated.

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.

MAZAL TOV to Rabbi Stan Levy for the 7th Academy of Jewish Religion (AJR) Ordination which only a decade ago was his dream.

http://www.bnaihorin.com/ (310) 441-4434. Mazal Tov on the new website.
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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)- cantorial soloist and others accompanied by Joel Warren, pianist. 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. 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 (see her perform in Kindred Spirits June 7) 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 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 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/

METIVTA MEDITATION RETREAT June 5-7. Details: see Happenings.
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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. Healing Shabbat service, Sat. May 30th.
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.
When Beit T'Shuvah offers their powerful musical performance, Freedom Song, do try to attend, as I did.
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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 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. The congregants are given colorful egg shakers to use to enable greater musical participation, and I'll share a few techniques. This last Shabbat I loved playing percussionist Jeff Stern's dumbek while he was on cajon. Thanks Jeff. Jeff accompanied Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt"l to Russia and Poland two decades ago. What a blesSing.
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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 - Melave Malka Concert, Sat nite June 6, 10 pm, $15, Post-Shavuot, 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, ARTS, ETC.


A SHABBAT Meditation Circle with K'vod Wieder (AJU rabbinic student), 10 AM -12 PM, June 6, at Valley Beth Shalom, Teachers' Lounge, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91436. 310 424-0219. http://www.opentowonder.com/
K'vod's Open To Wonder Shabbat service (from AJU) and our OPEN TO WONDER band is available to tour locally and bring joy and wonder to your service. I'm grateful to K'vod for setting up many holy experiences here locally.
Last Shabbat service for the season.

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OPEN DOOR SHABBAT, June 12, with the Owens- (this month) 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. 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.
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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/ I love Olivia and I loved seeing this new video.
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Dancing with the Divine Shabbat Morning Prayers & Meditations with Paulette Rochelle-Levy, MFT. 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. 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 Nina is making aliyah with family, and others will, Bezrat Hashem, continue programming. We will miss her here. May Nina be blessed to continue her good work.
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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://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 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 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 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 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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Skirball Cultural Center. Enjoy the Jewish exhibits, concerts, theatre, dance, film (Latin Jewish Life June 4 & 14), lectures, Passport Screenings, events. Great Adult Learning program. Tasty "Cart" sandwiches/salads sold at events.

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.


* * * * * * * OUTSIDE LA

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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ALEPH Kallah 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.
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.

Kallah still has PLENTY of workstudy 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.
We have NO limit on how much workstudy a person can earn....
Please contact Annie Klein, (annie.klein7@gmail.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

KOL CHEVRE, The Voice of the Chevra of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, z'l, is 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!! 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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RUTH FOGELMAN's newest book is available: 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. 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.

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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. Highly acclaimed, by both Jews and non-Jews. "A Sacred Duty" can be found at http://www.asacredduty.com/ Complimentary copies of DVDs. 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?

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 blog I've discovered and with permission, include it for you: http://asimplejew.blogspot.com/

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Rabbi Arthur Segal's website includes a CARTOON that I LOVE by Steve Greenberg, illustrating Jewish Spiritual Renewal.
Cartoon musicians include: flutist, Richard Hardy, and myself-- Joy Krauthammer, 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 congregation B'nai Horin during the High Holidays at AJU's Brandeis Bardin.
Click the link http://www.jewishspiritualrenewal.net/ for 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.
Purchase: http://www.shop.jewishspiritualrenewal.net/main.sc

Rabbi Arthur Segal offers a cyber ongoing class: Talmud-Torah-Tanach From an Ethical/Spiritual View Point. Jewish Spiritual Renewal based, transdenominational, interactive. E -mail RabbiASegal@aol.com

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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/homepage
shulim26@shlomoyeshiva.org

Write to Rabbi Sholom Brodt to receive his weekly teaching and see their video class schedules. Invite him to your community. He may be here in August.

"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

When I would slowly walk to shul on Shabbat in Jerusalem with Reb Shlomo, z'l, I deeply felt that he was pulling in "all four corners of the world." 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 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.
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
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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 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

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

> THE KINDRED SPIRITS
http://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/

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