What could be better than seeing an original Hanuka video every night of Hanuka? Okay, maybe opening presents every night of Hanuka – you got me there.
Nevertheless, I’m gonna share with you an original Hanuka video every night. Some will be slick and polished, some just videotaped in my basement.
Here’s number one… ENJOY! It’s approaching 30,000 views! Think we can get it over that this Hanuka?
Let your descendants keep Shabbat,
renewing themselves throughout the generations, as an eternal bond.
It shall be an eternal sign between me and your descendants,
for in six days God made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day God ceased and drew a breath of rest.
(Exodus 31:16-17)
Let us lie down tonight in peace
And rise up again in the morning
To life.
Spread over us the shelter of your peace
And protect us
Beneath the softness of your wings.
And as we go fourth each day
Every new morning
Renew us in the warmth
Of your presence.
Spread over us the shelter of your peace.
Taking the first step, Moses, Miriam and the Israelites broke out in song,
Abundant in joy, in one voice they sang:
Who is like you? Who is like you, bathed in holiness,
Awesome and wondrous, radiating pure praise?
When your children saw the waters split, the path open before them they cried:
The way of God is the way of liberation – we will walk upon it forever!
And it was said:
Now you see there is a Power greater, yes far greater, than any you have ever known.
You are blessed, source of our liberation.
An Interpretive Translation of the Prayer
Peace to you, dear friends, messengers from beyond time, beyond space, beyond knowing, source of deepest blessing.
Come in peace, bless me in peace and depart in peace, dear friends, messengers from beyond time, beyond space, beyond blessing.
Source of deepest blessing.
An Interpretive Translation of the Prayer
You are blessed.
Drawing us close to your sacred presence,
you invite us to kindle the Shabbat lights.
(Rabbi Naomi Levy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18lyE55iH7Yhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18lyE55iH7Y And remember, it’s just THREE WEEKS until we celebrate the release of the CD at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation on November 7 at 7:30 pm. Can’t make it to Evanston? The service will be streamed live HERE.And remember, if you want to get one of the delightful CDs on November 7, you have to pre-order them HERE. CDs will not be sold the evening of the service to respect the Sabbath.
Last night I went into the studio with the “Sweet Sisters” – Rena Newman, Emma Chanen, and my eldest daughter, Hannah Kaplan. And as an incredibly special treat, my youngest daughter, Ruthie, also sang on the piece!
The Sweet Sisters sang have been singing with me since the first time I shared Shabbat Sweet in 2011, so it was particularly delightful to have them be the last voices is session for the recording of Shabbat Sweet.
They recorded lovely three-part harmony for Shalom Rav. Have a listen to this rough mix (and keep in mind there will still be a bass and piano part added; and there will be a piano solo by Steve Rashid in the currently “empty” section).
Steve Rashid and I started recording the final pieces for Shabbat Sweet on Monday, May 19.
I’m relieved and a little sad that the recording process is coming to a close (hopefully by the end of the summer). Relieved because I’ve been working on this project, including the Kickstarter campaign, for over a year. And while it’s a joy, it’s also work and takes lots of my energy and attention! Sad because it’s been a profoundly great joy! It’s fascinating to start with an idea of how something will sound, and then to see how it evolves.
For instance, Beggar’s Niggun is one of the pieces we’re working on. And while Steve and I sat down beforehand to talk about a plan for arranging it, now that I hear the rough, I’ve got a whole new idea. (boy, is Steve going to be thrilled with that!).
So… thanks for hanging in there with me throughout the project.
I’ll be playing live in several places in the next few months. Please check the DATES page on my website so that you can plan I time to come out and experience Shabbat Sweet live!
SHABBAT SWEET 
