B'nos Mitzvos

With the new year around the corner and a couple of Bas Mitzvah party bookings, I thought I'd post a couple snapshots of Bas Mitzvah girls I sang for over the years. I'm going through the archives so more to come. P.S. If you have a picture of us together , please email it to me so I can post it.

Across the borders, we know no boundaries....

This past Wednesday I was in Peabody Ma. for a "Spa for the Soul" hosted by Shlucha Raizel Shusterman. Here are some pictures from that night. These pictures only ever so so slightly capture the electrifying mood. We laughed, we cried, we were touched by a personalized "Sister, Sister" slideshow Raizel's sisters emailed in, and we bonded over a night of massages, manicures and music. Thank you Raizel for a great ladies night out!

It's been a busy concert month, and Sunday preceding Peabody, I sang at Sparks Center fundraiser, in a (gorgeous) private residence in Flatbush, Brooklyn. A wonderful organization that raises awareness and money for new mothers suffering from PPD. I learned a lot about this issue and was inspired to see how many women turned out for this very important cause. The hostess really enjoyed the music. She came over to me after and said "Music is so powerful, you're so blessed..." She then described to me how her and her sisters sang to their dying mother till the moment she passed away. I always hear little stories from my audience but this once really gave me the chills. For more information about Sparks visit http://www.sparkscenter.org/.

One Sunday later, I was back on the road, this time headed to Lake Worth, Fl. where Leah Rosenfeld hosted her monthly women's group in honor of Rosh Chodesh Tamuz.

Like I joked at the ladies; the room decor and dessert tables were set up so beautifully and perfectly, I knew something would have to be imperfect on my end. But what's a missing mike stand when you have a room full of adorable, upbeat women ready to sing right along? We stuck the mike into a foam centerpiece, taped it onto the Shtender and got right to the music. (Necessity is the mother of all inventions right?) Leah, you're tables were set stunningly and your white chocolate chip cookies have popped into my head a few times already since my trip. Thank you for having me, I hope to be back next year!

Celebrating the Jewish Woman in San Francisco

Sunday Lag Baomer, I was in San Francisco, by the Labkowski's where I sang at their first ever all women's event. An inspired Tea Party, in the most beautiful hall, complete with scrumptious cakes and tea sandwiches that hit the spot as perfectly as the wonderful speech Shulamis delivered on the theme (see title). Can you tell from the pictures just how stunning it all came together?

Little Lamplighters

I sang again last night for the Tzierai Shluchos winter camp. I recognized a bunch of faces from Bas Mitzvos I've sung at and a few faces that looked just like my old (shlichis bound) classmates. A very special (huge) group of girls that certainly have "lives full of meaning" and "homes full of light". It was my honor to spend a short amount of time with such important little people.

"Vatispalel Chana"

On a mountain of Israel two women are known
One walks with children, while one walks alone
Day after day turns to year after year
The yearning inside turns to pain she can’t bear

No words can console her, no love can replace
Her arms start to tremble, her whole body shakes
A womb oh so empty, a heart filled with pain
Her grief knows no boundaries and tears form like rain

Vatispalel Chana, she prayed all the while
Have I been forgotten, don’t I get a child?
I don’t ask for many, just give me one
In return your maid Chana will give you her son

Vatispalel Chana, na na na na na na na
Vatispalel Chana, she prays for a child

Eili HaCohen watches from far
Daughter of Israel tell me who you are
Your whispers have traveled, your home will be blessed
So now go in peace for he’ll grant your request

Her tefillos accepted, her prayers are heard
He gives her a child, she gives Him her word
A son only borrowed, a son she would raise
Her joy knows no boundaries and G-d she does praise

Vatispalel Chana, she turns to the skies
Hashem You’re my Savior, Hashem upon High
Ein Tzur Kelokaynu, Hashem You are One
And blessed be Your Name for You gave me a son

Vatispalel Chana I turn to the sky
Hashem you’re my savior, Hashem upon High
Ein Tzur Kelokaynu, Hashem You are One
And blessed be Your name for You gave me a son
And blessed be Your name, now I’ll give You my son

Vatispalel Chana, na na na na na na na na
Vatispalel Chana, and she prayed for a child

Girls just want to have fun

I sang last night for the Chof Bes Shvat convention Melavah Malkah. "Montreal in the house! Miami represent! Bet Reeevkah of Pareeee!!!!!!!" Total chaos at times but a real blast; a super excited, energetic, beautiful group of girls from all over the world, singing in one voice, the nigunim that unite Chasidim worldwide. Thanks girls for a fun night out, and be in touch with all those pictures we took together. Here are some clips.

Less than 2 weeks ago I spent 3 days in Chili by the Permans. Mrs. Chaya Perman, Shlucha in Santiago for 28 years, invited me to come sing for the women in her community. Although I don't have any pictures of my trip I want to describe the night of the concert and the hospitality of the Perman ladies (the mener were in CH for the kinnus). I landed morning time and went straight to the Perman's home where I was greeted by the smell of fresh, home made grilled cheese sandwiches. (Diet officially over.) From the moment I entered their home I was no longer in a strange country but in a familiar and comfortable haven. I told Chaya "I traveled for so many hours only to come back home!" The Perman home is filled with Judaica and Lubavitch chotchkes and pictures and the Perman sisters are typical Bnos Lubavitch, speaking Yiddish between each other (with a smattering of Spanish here and there understandably!) The atmosphere was heimish and inviting and I was so comfortable by them even though I had never met them before. I rested up on Sunday then met a delightful girl named Ariella who took me around the neighborhood a bit for some touring and shopping. Tuesday morning I had a grand tour of the Chabad house. I cant fully describe the beauty of the building so I'm going to post a picture of it. The building is a 4 sided 770 complete with a gorgeous preschool, 2 magnificent women's mikvehs and more than one full size industrial kitchens where they prepare the lavish and delicious food for their various events. Of course, most beautiful was the Shul itself, so grand and luxurious. It was all awesome in short.

The day of the show the Chabad house was a whirl of activity with a staff of cooks preparing the food and the sound people setting up video screens and speakers in both halls. The tables were set gorgeous with tons of food hot and ready to go out. About 150 women filled the Chabad house, chatting away in Spanish until dinner was served. I'm sorry I can't tell you more about the speeches but it was clear Rebbetzin Perman's words are soaked up based on the quiet in the room while she spoke. Later in the evening following a brief introduction about music, I was on. Slideshows played throughout the night, and through my broken Spanish (I actually told them "Tu Casa es Mi Casa"-Your house is my house!" I communicated as much as I could leaving the rest to the music. The women danced, sang, laughed and cried with me and I took in every moment I got to spend with these Jewish women, now my sisters for life. I'll post a little more on my thoughts later; Yaffita (her new spanish nickname) is crying.