Notes from Cantor Avima

     Nava Tehilah is not a group or a person. Nava Tehilah is a renewal community in Jerusalem. Their website introduces the community as follows: "Nava Tehilah is a home  in Jerusalem for men and women of diverse backgrounds who desire to explore together the spiritual expression of the Jewish experience and are drawn to the collective creation of a Jewish-Israeli spiritual renewal. For the last 20 years, we have been creating a unique space for prayer, study, music and texts in an egalitarian and inclusive environment. Come as you are and take part in change and renewal." 

     The community is led by  Rabbi Ruth Gan Kagan and the musicians: Daphna Rosenberg (vocals and guitar) and  Yoel Sykes (vocals and guitar)  compose much of their music.  These musicians have been creating a new musical expression  of Jewish prayer which has made its way to many mainstream synagogues all over the world. Their melodies are extremely accessible and engaging, yet very spiritually inspiring. 

     You are likely familiar with their Oseh Shalom: Oseh Shalom Nava Tehilah. 

     Here is an exquisite Shalom Aleichem: Shalom Aleichem Nava Tehilah

     I especially love when musicians write new melodies for prayers or parts of psalms that have escaped my attention. The following link is for a setting of just three words from Psalm 95 which opens the kabbalat shabbat service. We all know the opening of this psalm - "L'Chu Nerannenah", but these three words almost buried toward the end of the psalm: "Al Takshu L'vavchem" translates to "Do not harden your hearts (as your ancestors did when wandering in the wilderness). Those three words... never captured my attention before. But, as I listen to their beautiful, gentle setting, well, the music, literally melts your heart. What a beautiful message as we enter shabbat... during the week we are so often "hardening our hearts" as we react to people around us, perceived insults, tasks we are stubbornly trying to escape, ignore the tug to do a mitzvah or help someone in need...  So many ways of "hardening our hearts". But, shabbat is a time to soften, to relax, to accept and to pursue peace. Al Takshu from Psalm 95 Nava Tehila

     I would say this is also an important message as we head into Rosh Hashanah, the New Year and the period of repentence. Let's not harden our hearts. If you go on youtube and look for Nava Tehila you will find many of their songs. They are very generous bout freely sharing their music. Their website is Navatehila.org. I will also be exploring and I will highlight some of their High Holiday music in next week's blog. 

     On Friday, November 1, I will be joined on the bimah by the Ben Wisch Trio. We are preparing a special musical service which will include contemporary settings of the Friday night service. I will definitely be including f Nava Tehila's music as well as other beautiful settings of other composers. Please save the date and plan to participate!