Category Archives: Music

Blogging the Torah: Parashat Pinchas, Whose Seed is it Anyway?

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Gail F. Nalven

This post is dedicated to my teacher, my friend, Hazzan Faith Steinsnyder. If royal watchers were Bob Dylan fans, they might be singing “The Times They Are A Changin’.” The Parliament has passed a law allowing the monarchy to be … Continue reading →

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Blogging the Torah: Parashat Balak, Mah Tovu Ohalech WCN

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Gail F. Nalven

I am renewed.  I am exhausted. There is music running around my brain.  I wake up with a song in my head.  My cup is filled after a glorious week with my chaverot at the Women Cantors’ Network annual conference.  … Continue reading →

Posted in God, Judaism, Music, Spirituality, Tefillah (prayer), Torah, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Memories of Jewish Education, When You Least Expect Them

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Gail F. Nalven

I was sitting on a train, looking at the Virginia countryside, and checking my email when this post came through. For the second week in a row, I am stunned by negative memories of childhood Jewish education.  In my last … Continue reading →

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Blogging the Torah: Parashat Lech L’cha, Remembering Winnie

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Gail F. Nalven

I gave this dvar Torah at shiva for my mother-in-law Winifred Spence Rudden.  On her second yarzheit, I remember Winnie. Tuesday, October 12, 2010 This week’s parasha is the third in our Torah.  In just the passed two weeks, we read … Continue reading →

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Mayim, Mayim, Mayim

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Gail F. Nalven

  “I get on my knees everyday and I’m saying an extra prayer right now,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters after briefing President Barack Obama. “If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, … Continue reading →

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Have You Had Your Mah Gadlu Moment Today?

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Gail F. Nalven

Life keeps handing me these moments.  So here is Mah Gadlu, Part 2 This week I saw the most amazing 4th of July fireworks over the Hudson River.  Even with a partial view from a roof top half way across … Continue reading →

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Blogging the Torah: Parashat Korah, REBELLION-SCHMELLION

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Gail F. Nalven

Scene opens:  The people are dancing and doing all sorts of debauchery around the golden calf.  They have given up on their leader.  He’s been up on the mountain too long and they think he was eaten by a wolf … Continue reading →

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A First Without a Last, for the Second Time

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Gail F. Nalven

As we head into the second Hava Nashira Songleaders Conference without Debbie Friedman, I share a piece written last year at this time.  Although last year’s program was incredibly healing, her loss is still felt among us Hava Nashir-ites.  And … Continue reading →

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