If you were to ask me about what stood out at the NewCAJE conference, I’d say the incredible generosity of the musicians and performers. Generosity—and humility. As far as I could tell, they:
1. Are part of the chevrah, stay in the dorms with the participants, lead and attend sessions and services, and stand in line for meals like everyone else. They embody al tifrosh min hatzibur.
2. Lead song sessions including kumsitzim till the wee hours of the morning. Like Sam Glaser.
3. Organize and plan for months for evening performances. Like Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff.
4. Lead the Emerging Educators cohort. Like Eliana Light.
5. Gather workshop participants together in classrooms to take group photos. Like Susan Shane-Linder.
6. Help out at friends’ booths in the exhibit hall. Like Sue Horowitz.
7. Fill in when a fellow musician unexpectedly can’t make the performance. Like Ellen Allard.
8. Facilitate a lunch-and-learn for new educators. Like Jay Rapoport.
9. Lead workshops, for example, how to bring comedy into the classroom. Like The Bible Players.
Those are just a few examples. All of the musicians and performers at the conference incur expenses to come, give of their time, share their music and artistry, practice and rehearse—and do it from the bottom of their hearts because they want to give to the community and because they believe in NewCAJE.
You can support these amazing artists by purchasing their music or bringing them to perform and teach in your community.
