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.

Singing in Shula's Name

I received so much feedback today on "Shula's Song" that I've decided to post these two video clips. The first is the song with the lyrics, the second is the performance last night. It was hard to keep composed at the end when Mrs. Swedlov came on stage, forgive me for warbling through the last chorus. I wrote the song after I watched her speak the last day of Shiva for her grandaughter Alta Shula. Her thought and words inspired this song. May we share only Simchos together and sing only happy songs hence forward.

"The Special in the Child"

by Chana Harrel

I used to turn my eyes

At a body bent and broken

I didn’t know the words

So the words were left unspoken

And now I’m so ashamed

Cuz I know the pain that you’ve been through

I used to walk right by

Never taking time to bother

I didn’t know understand

Until I became a father

And now I’m not afraid Cuz my child is disabled too

And I’ve learned he is a blessing

Most will never get

And in this special child

I’ve found my greatest teacher yet

He’ll take you on a journey

Open up your eyes

You’ll find yourself in places

Where unknown beauty lies

He’ll let you know you’re human

That it’s ok if you cry

He’ll show you all the magic

That hides behind the door

He’ll prove to you, you’ll get there

That you don’t need wings to soar

Believe in your Creator

The One Who gave him that smile

And put the special... in the child

I used to wonder how

A mother kept on going

I didn’t understand

The strength she kept on showing

Little did I know

Just how proud she was of what he achieved

And just how much she believed

Until my son made me see...

He’ll take you on a journey

Open up your eyes

You’ll find yourself in places

Where unknown beauty lies

He’ll let you know you’re human

That it’s ok if you cry

He’ll show you all the magic

That hides behind the door

He’ll prove to you, you’ll get there

That you don’t need wings to soar

Believe in your Creator

The One Who gave him that smile

And put the special... in the child

He’ll give your life such meaning

He’ll teach you how to dream

He’ll break your inhibitions

And build your self esteem

He’ll love you without boundaries

He’ll make you reach for the sky

He’ll show you all the magic

That hides along the way

He’ll prove to you G-d listens

To His children when they pray

Believe in your Creator

The One Who gave him that smile

And put the special…. In the child