CBI Blogs

Shalom Chaverim,

This week I had the opportunity to attend Hava Nashira at our very own URJ’s Greene Family Camp. Over the years, I have attended this remarkable conference/retreat twice when it was hosted at its original home in Wisconsin at Olin Sang Ruby Institute (lovingly referred to as OSRUI), another URJ camp.

To say this experience was overwhelming when I first attended in 2008 or 9 (I can’t remember which) is an understatement. The faculty for this year included Debbie Friedman (z’’l) and I truly had no idea what I was walking into. The communal singing, sitting in the presence of and learning from the creative geniuses behind so much of the music we know, all the while navigating a camp that was unfamiliar to me – was a lot. Additionally, my involvement in music at CBI was that of a monthly volunteer who was also co-leading our Religious school t’fillah with incredible mentors. I wasn’t sure of my role in the musical life of our community and the people I was encountering seemed so much more confident about why they were attending and what their greater professional purpose was.

Fast-forward 16 years later. On July 1 I will be entering my 8^th year as Cantorial Soloist here at CBI. I served on faculty at Greene in 2014, 15, 16 & 23. I was the summer education director for the summers of 2017, 18, & 19. Unlike OSRUI, Greene is my home away from home in Central Texas. Additionally, I know what my role and purpose is regarding music at CBI and, having missed many years of learning away from Austin for all the reasons life can throw at us, I was eager to be in the presence of all the goodness Hava Nashira can offer.

Of course, there were many familiar faces as well as new people to meet. In the crowd were 60 new participants to welcome into the Hava Nashira family. Reconnecting with Jewish professionals I typically only get to hang out with at camp was also great fun. Cantor Rollin Simmons and Rabbi Josh Fixler from Congregation Emanu El in Houston. Cantor Jenna Mark and cantorial student Margo Wagner who worked at GFC as song-leaders in summer of 2018 were also there. It was so great to hear their stories and wish them mazal tov on their accomplishments since we last sat together in camp spaces 6 years ago. Of course, my good friend and colleague Cantor Jaime Shpall was also in attendance. I so appreciated more time with her and the opportunity to meet her wonderful friends.

Amidst all the learning there were also opportunities for deep breaths and self-care. Morning walks on camp ending with a cup of coffee on the beautiful porch located just outside the faculty lounge at the motel. The sound and sights of nature including the spotting of a road runner. Most notably, those three few days every month when you can stand in the middle of the field and watch the moon rise and the sunset at the same time!

I am continuing to soak in and process my learning and experiences from this sacred time. I am grateful to my colleagues and our Board of Directors for giving me this time and I look forward to bringing new melodies back to our prayer spaces.

As we look ahead to our hot, long, summer days, I hope that you to are able to participate in moments of learning that fill not only your professional cup but also feed your soul. Taking deep breaths, making positive connections with people, and knowing that we aren’t alone in our struggles, is just what we all need during this tumultuous time.

Shabbat Shalom,

Sarah