CD release parties might be a rare occurrence at most congregations, but not at Congregation Beit Haverim (CBH) in Atlanta. CBH—which happens to be marking its 30th anniversary—just released its sixth professionally recorded CD, “Chant: Beyond the Veil.” It’s the fourth part of the Merkavah Project, the CBH Music Program’s expansive endeavor to connect to the most mystical text of the Bible: Ezekiel’s Vision.
 
“Music has become something that CBH is ‘known for,’” explained Gayanne Geurin, CBH’s music director. “We have wanted to create recorded experiences that in some ways makes a soundtrack for our synagogue life, reflecting who we are and what we strive to be.”
 
The goal behind the latest CD was to highlight the spiritual practice of chanting and capture its musical beauty.
 
At CBH, music is woven into the fabric of the community. Participation is high: the synagogue has 300 households, and the chorus, led by Will Robertson, boasts more than 45 members. CBH also has a band, a string ensemble and a tradition of participatory singing.
 
“We really do let the music guide us into new experiences of connection with each other. The music itself is connecting us, lifting us and teaching us,” she said. “One of the messages is, ‘If there is a creative impulse, let’s makes something happen.'”
 
CBH works to ensure that its music facilitates prayer and contemplation and doesn’t veer into the realm of performance. Geurin says the way to make sure music connects people and is contextually appropriate is to ask many questions: What is the intention behind a particular piece of interpretation of liturgy? What aesthetic tone is it trying to evoke? How does it empower a worshiper to connect with the prayer experience and with one another?
 

During the ceremony, we recognized exemplary people in the Reconstructionist movement and wider Jewish world. We awarded honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees to Rabbis David Gedzelman, David Mivasair, Reena Spicehandler, David E.S. Stein, Michael Strassfeld and Avi Winokur. These rabbis have served for 25 years and have acted to better the Reconstructionist movement in keeping with its ideals.
 
This year, we inaugurated the first Presidential Recognition Award. This was presented to Aaron Ziegelman, who has devoted his life to advancing Reconstructionist Judaism in both institution and practice, while sowing the seeds that nurture rabbinical training and movement leadership.
 
We were pleased to bestow the College’s highest award, the Keter Shem Tov Award, to Stephen P. Cohen, Ph.D., a person of academic and communal distinction for his service in pursuit of Reconstructionist ideals.
 
John S. Ruskay, Ph.D., was our recipient for Doctor of Humane Letters, which we annually award to scholars and organizational leaders who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of strong Reconstructionist values. These leaders make outstanding contributions to the Jewish community or to religious life in North America or Israel.
 
We congratulate all of our graduates and honorary degree recipients.

Learn more about our graduates and see a video clip from the ceremony, or view the 2016 / 5776 graduation program.

For more information, click on this link or contact Barbara Lissy, Assistant Vice President for Development, at 215.576.0800, ext. 155 or blissy@rrc.edu.

Please visit Panim's website to learn more about the organization. And if you are in Israel, pay a visit!
 

If you’re 21-26 years old, you can travel to Israel on the first Reconstructionist Birthright Israel trip! Find out more information at www.campjrf.org/birthright.

All of those years filled with anxiety, homework, papers, group projects, all-nighters and final exams have led you to this moment…graduation! During this time of celebration, check out these rituals for Graduation on Ritualwell.org. Whether from high school, college, graduate school, vocational program or any other educational milestone, take time to commemorate your accomplishment.
 
Are you a parent with an empty nest? You’re not alone! Loren Amdursky describes her experiences transitioning after her kids left home. She came up with a ritual to comfort her and mark this new phase of her life.
 
During times of endings and beginnings, find prayers, rituals and blogs at Ritualwell.org, the Reconstructionist movement's creative ritual website.