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Sacred Hebrew Chant with Jeanette Gross
(click to play) CHANT IS A WAY OF FOCUSING on the core meaning of a prayer or piece of text that allows us to enter more fully into the kavannah, the holy intention, of the phrase. By using a simple melody and repeating the sacred phrase over and over, we are able to open our hearts to its blessing, to step inside of the prayer itself and take on its deeper meaning in a new way. THE REPETITION ITSELF becomes a meditation. In raising our voices together we synchronize our breathing which, combined with pouring ourselves into the chant, can be a powerful tool in opening the heart and mind. In the silence after the chant we might find ourselves opening even more fully to the prayer, and I like to use this silence as a way of soaking in the effects of the practice... RABBI SHEFA GOLD WRITES: "Chant is the bridge between the inner life and the outer expression; between the solitary practice and the shared beauty of fellowship. When we chant we are using the whole body as the instrument with which to feel the meaning of the sacred phrase."
Below are more samples of this practice, including a recording of each chant and a short teaching for the sacred phrase - the kavannah, or holy intention of the practice. (Note: To download mp3 recordings - right click on its title - (or control-click on a mac) and save the linked file)
(Recorded* at Elul Workshop for Temple Beth Abraham Sisterhood, Oakland, California. August 12, 2007)
JEANETTE GROSS is Chant Leader at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, CA. Jeanette has studied with Rabbi Shefa Gold since July, 1996 and is a graduate of Rabbi Gold's Kol Zimra Chant Leadership Training Program. Jeanette has been teaching monthly sessions of Sacred Chant in Lafayette since July, 1998 and a monthly "Chanting with Our Elders" group at the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living in Danville since March, 2000. In addition to her regular chanting sessions, Jeanette has organized and led special chanting sessions for Temple Beth Abraham's Sisterhood (Oakland, CA), The Mill Valley Community Church (Mill Valley, CA), Temple Isaiah's 'Boi Kallah' Shabbat Retreat and for Temple Isaiah's Annual Women's Retreat. She also created and leads a 4 hour session each Yom Kippur between Temple Isaiah's Morning and Afternoon services (Open to the public, continuous from 12 noon to 4:00 pm, leading into Temple Isaiah's Afternoon Service at 4:15)
Upcoming Chanting Dates*: Monday, January 5, 2009 7:30 - 9:15 pm - Sacred Chant at Temple Isaiah Friday January 9, 2009 10:30 - 11:30 am - Chanting with our Elders the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living in Danville Friday February 13, 2009 10:30 - 11:30 am - Chanting with our Elders the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living in Danville Monday, February 16, 2009 7:30 - 9:15 pm - Sacred Chant OFF-SITE - contact Jeanette Gross for details Monday, March 2, 2009 7:30 - 9:15 pm - Sacred Chant at Temple Isaiah Friday March 13, 2009 10:30 - 11:30 am - Chanting with our Elders the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living in Danville
*More detailed information is available on Temple Isaiah's website
"Your Jewish Neighborhood" Podcast
Chanting Intensive: Al Shlosha D'Varim
Sacred Chant Program For Mill Valley Community Church
Contact Jeanette at jeanetteg@SacredHebrewChant.com
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