Micah Artist/Scholar in Residence: Danny Maseng

This weekend for Simchat Torah, our community is in for a treat that is so special, it’s hard to put into words! But allow me to try.

Danny Maseng will be our guest musical artist and scholar in residence this Friday through Sunday.

Danny’s talent, creativity, knowledge and wisdom spans a breadth and depth unlike anyone I have ever met or worked with. I was lucky enough to get to know him during my time in Los Angeles. I started off as his student, and ended up getting to record and perform with him over the years. To have the chance to share his talents with the Micah community feels like coming full circle.

Here is a little bit of his bio to give you a taste of who he is:

Danny grew up in a "unique Jewish Israeli family, where everyone was an artist, philosopher or a professor," His grandfather, Rabbi Harry Davidowitz, translated the complete works of Shakespeare, Chaucer and Beowulf into Hebrew. His grandmother Ida B. Davidowitz was the first theater critic for The Jerusalem Post. His mother was an accomplished pianist, and his father was a poet and archeologist.

By age 10, Maseng was playing classical guitar. By 14, he was the star of one of Israel's first TV shows.

After moving to the US to appear on Broadway in "Only Fools Are Sad" in 1971, Maseng rushed back to Israel in October 1973 to serve his country in the Yom Kippur War. But he returned to the States in 1975 "to evaluate myself and my life," he said.

During his soul-searching period, Maseng turned to Zen Buddhism. "It took me 14 years of study and contemplative thought to realize that my own religion, Judaism, had everything I was seeking elsewhere," he said. "I eventually came back to my religion in a much stronger, deeper way.”

Since then, Maseng has released numerous albums, has appeared in films and on television, written books and a wrote and performed a play that he performed off-broadway as well as internationally called "Wasting Time With Harry Davidowitz." Using the stories of his grandfather, Harry, as a framework, the show traces Maseng’s own spiritual journey using homily and song.

For decades, Danny has served as Chazzan at congregations from New York to Los Angeles, and though he no longer serves a congregation in a full-time capacity, he was recently ordained as a Rabbi!

Danny is one of the most popular and respected composers of contemporary Liturgical and Synagogue music in the world. Some of his most popular liturgical settings (many of which you heard over the High Holy Days at Micah) include Mah Tovu, Elohai N’tzor, and Kedushah.

And if all that weren’t enough—Danny is now the author of a regular blog featured in the Times of Israel where he eloquently shares his opinions and thoughts on current events in the Holy Land.

This weekend you will have three opportunities to see, hear, and meet Danny. I hope you will take advantage of as many of them as possible.

Friday night at 6, Danny will lead us in prayer, song, and dance as we celebrate Shabbat and Simchat Torah along with our choir and guest musicians.

Saturday night at 7pm, Danny will present a “Havdallah Cafe” concert with stories and song.

And Sunday morning at 9:30, Danny will lead a special T’filah and teaching for our J-Lab religious school families.

After the year we’ve had since last Simchat Torah, I can think of nothing we need more as a community than an uplifting, spiritually cathartic, and musically satisfying experience to bond us together.

Invite a friend or two, and we will see you this weekend!

Sincerely,

Cantor Josh Goldberg

Echoes of Elul: Day 27

HEARING THE BLASTS

 “The mitzvah of the day is shofar!” -Mishnah, Rosh Hashanah 3:3

There is only one positive commandment related to the Jewish New Year: to hear the blowing of the ram’s horn. Its piercing cries serve to awaken slumbering souls that have grown complacent. Echoing the prophetical cries of our predecessors who urged Israel to mend their ways and return to the Jewish community, this year its sounds will inevitably remind us of the cries of war, pain, and hope. Need a glimmer? Watch these kids blow the shofar:

 

Or hear Rabbi Flip blow the shofar here:

Echoes of Elul: Day 26

WALKING HUMBLY

“Be like a helmsman, on the lookout for good deeds.” -Vayikrah Rabbah 21:5

The word Torah can be translated as law or teaching or even better as direction, because it teaches us to translate principles into everyday practice. A BIG THANK YOU to the staff and lay-leaders who daily attended to our spiritual community.

Details matter. The little things we do (or do not do) make a difference. At this time of year especially we are called upon to reflect upon our character. We are blessed to have a spiritual community where glimmers - little acts of thoughtfulness - are often performed all the time behind the scenes. May we all continue to Tzneah Lechet - Walk Humbly.

Interested in volunteering during the holidays, looking to take on a larger or leadership role at Micah? Email us here:

mindy@congregationmicah.org

-The Prophet Micah

Echoes of Elul: Day 25

LOVING MERCY

“All depends on deeds.” -Pirkei Avot 3:15

Very soon we will all stand together before the Court on High. The question each one of us will be asked: “Did you conduct your affairs with sincerity and honesty?” This dramatic approach to Jewish life is a reminder that Jews focus not on dogma but on doing; not on professing principles of belief but on practicing Ahavat Hesed – the love of compassion.

The glimmers this year of Micah members actively engaging in acts of tikkun-olam - healing the world through mitvzvot – commanded deeds of kindness – shine brightly as we prepare to answer individually and communally: are you leading a decent, honorable, and responsible life? Feeling compassionate? Find more about the Bellevue Food Bank’s needed items to bring on Yom Kippur:

-The Prophet Micah

Echoes of Elul: Day 24

DOING JUSTICE

“Righteous justice you shall pursue!” -Deuteronomy 16:11

Establishing fair courts, protecting the vulnerable, treating wage laborers fairly, caring for the earth, and so much more. When the biblical prophets express God’s anger at the people for failing to “DO justice”, at the core of their critique was society’s inability to uphold the laws concerning the vulnerable (the stranger, the widow, the orphan, the poor). Jewish justice is a substantive vision of what human life could and should be.

Glimmers shone brightly from the work of our social action committee members this year as they educated, advocated, and took to the streets. Oseh Mishpat – DOING justice at Micah is as easy as responding to the needs of others.

Sign up to participate in our homeless shelter - Room In The Inn.

-The Prophet Micah

Echoes of Elul: Day 23

SCHMOOZE &VIEWS

“To err is human; to disagree, Jewish.”-Rabbi David Wolpe

        Throughout history Jews always respected different ideas, even preserving dissenting opinions and codifying them in our Sacred Scriptures. Every week for over two decades a group of sages gather on campus to solve the world’s problems, well discuss them. With honor and humor, a true mensch - Dr. Bob Smith guides a respectful conversation in which Democrats, Republicans and Independents, men and women, Jews and non-Jews, members and non-members share their political views on a variety of local, national, and international issues. Civil dialogue still happens in our country, all you need to do is turn on the glimmer to see it and/or join us Thursday mornings in the chapel at 10:30 AM.

-The Prophet Micah

Echoes of Elul: Day 22

TORAH STUDY

“Be a disciple of Aaron: love peace and pursue it, love your neighbors,

and attract them to Torah.”-Ethics of our Ancestors 1:12 

In Judaism, study is elevated to the status of worship. Large portions of our prayers are simple selections from the Scriptures. We are a people of perpetual learning. And growing spiritually is a joy that can last our whole lives!

Each week a group of compassionate, supportive, inquisitive folks gather virtually on Shabbos morning and share their insights - glimmers from the weekly Torah portion, as well as from their lives. These bright spots have lifted me up during a difficult year to be Jewish. Care to affirm your Jewish identity? Learn a little? Make new friends? All you need is an internet connection, an open mind, and a little time for study. Follow this zoom link on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM Central:

-The Prophet Micah

Echoes of Elul: Day 21

Mx2 Cx1

There is a saying among us social workers - there is a reason why we became social workers, because we don't do math.

I was never particularly good at algebra.

So, it struck me strange when my friend Pat looked into my eyes and said, "Listen to me, my dear friend.  Mx2 Cx1.  Remember that."

Maybe it was lack of coffee or the fact my brain was trying to clear the cobwebs of surgery to rebuild broken bones but I didn't remember that equation in Mrs. Brewer's algebra class.

When my friend had told me to remember that phrase, I had just relocated to my extended family's home to recover for the next two months.  I had not been discharged a full day when I had promptly fell after thinking I could answer the door on a modified walker with one good foot and arm.

My friend again looked into my eyes and said, "Mx2 Cx1.  It's a term carpenters use.  Measure twice, cut once.  Every time you decide to do something, think about it twice.  You'll only get one chance kiddo."

I used that advice those two months, not falling again.  I continue to use that advice seven months later.  Not only for the recovering ankle to prevent falls, but I've tried to remember that in my day-to-day life and its activities.

Mx2, Cx1 = good life advice.

-Pamela Simmons

Echoes of Elul: Day 20

EXPRESSING LOVE 

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” -Leviticus 19:18 

Why does the Torah say, “love your neighbor” instead of “love all of humanity”? It is easy to love a starving child in the Sudan, it does not cost much financially or emotionally. It takes effort to love neighbors when their garbage spills onto our lawn or their music shatters our eardrums. It requires great tolerance to coexist amiably with a neighbor whose outlook or lifestyle is opposed to ours. 

Glimmer this: the Micah community takes inclusivity seriously and loves its members regardless of their sexuality, political preference, economic status, race, etc.…you name it! And we do our best to love our neighbors for who they are too. This year that diversity was on full display time and time again as we came together to hold space and support each other and all the many feelings we were feeling. Let’s do it again in the coming weeks! 

-The Prophet Micah 

P.S.. we also felt the love and support this year FROM many of our Christian and other neighbors! 

Echoes of Elul: Day 19

My brightest glimmer this year was watching my oldest child, Ari, stand up on the bima and lead his Bar Mitzvah service with ease and confidence. Thinking back about where he started at Micah: a little toddler crying all day every day at Micah Children's Academy and me wondering if this phase would ever end; if he would ever become independent. If I could see the future, I wouldn't have believed it, and I'm pretty sure Lynn Heady wouldn't have either :) 

- Leah Hasson

Echoes of Elul: Day 18

 One recent Friday morning, I was running around hurriedly completing my long mental list before the weekend (pick up dog food, buy groceries, get gas, etc) and I stopped at a local flower stand to choose some flowers for Shabbat. I was frazzled and tired, and quickly chose some pink lilies because I know they are my daughter’s favorite. The owner saw me and me and said “cash only!” And unfortunately I didn’t have any. So I gently put the flowers back and prepared to move on, saying I only had a credit card. She picked the flowers back up out of the water, handed them to me, and smiled. “I want you to have them. Make your Shabbat table beautiful and special, and have a peaceful weekend. You can come back and pay another time.” I tried to decline but she held my hands, looked into my eyes, and insisted. Standing in the crowded market, we had a special moment that I will never forget. The following Friday, I paid her back, and she had already forgotten that I owed her money. It was such a beautiful reminder of the impact you can make in someone’s day, in a simple but kind gesture.

-Celia Lerch

Echoes of Elul: Day 17

This year as I reached a significant age milestone I had a “glimmer”.  I had faced this event with trepidation - “was I really now old ?”.

After pondering on the event for several days - weeks, I came to the conclusion that I was now free to be myself. I was no longer building my resume!  Actually, what it meant was that I could enjoy myself in ways that I had never considered before - I was free to do things that I would have considered trivial in the past but now had some significance. I now give myself time - the most valuable commodity that I have-  to do things like read late into the night and awake late in the morning, or watch butterflies in my garden, or take the long way around to work so I could try a new route and see more of my environs - and perhaps stop and talk to a friend. 

It’s small but this glimmer also enlightens me about myself in the way that I look at these things. 

That’s my bright and shining glimmer. 

-Joe Barker

Echoes of Elul: Day 16

This year was very challenging, so glimmers were of everyday occurrences and recollections of the past… bringing love, light, gratitude, and learning to my life.   Hope and trust that I have the resources to skillfully meet disappointments and losses, my sweet Bichon, Jesse, who died at the start of the Jewish New Year and my other Jamie, Bichon, who has health issues.   Being able to hold profound love and grief in my heart at the same time… Glimmers… my eyes taking in the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, viewing photos of my mother, Gladys, who died 7 years ago, and my beautiful boys, the Jersey boys (they are from New Jersey).  Listening to Jewish music, especially Kol B’Seder’s version of Shalom Rav, uplifting yet brought tears.   In 5785, my intention is to cherish each day, to trust, to be a source of love and light, to have a grateful heart, and to learn from everything, everyone.

-Judy Itzkowitz

Echoes of Elul: Day 15

Apparently your sermon last year, coupled with the writing I'm currently doing, has really made a lasting impression on me. So, last week I had to drop my car off at the dealership to have some work done. They arranged for an Uber to transport me to and from home while the car was in the shop. On the ride home I was picked up by a 30-something young lady, Stefani. We had a nice conversation on the drive home. She told me a little about her family and herself. And I told her about my work in genealogy. She dropped out of college before completing her degree and her real passion was writing. The thing is, she had just gotten laid off from her sales job and was doing Uber to make ends meet and it was her first week as an Uber driver. I found myself encouraging her to focus on pursuing her passion and completing her degree. I don't know if I'll hear back from her, but she asked for my card.

Then, on the drive back to the dealership a couple of days later, I was picked up by a man, Rex,  who was originally a refugee from the Congo some 15 years ago. I persuaded him to tell me his story of escaping the conflict; making his way to Mozambique, then Malawi, and finally to South Africa, all the while trying to get a refugee visa to the US. After a few years of attempting to get approval the word finally came for him and a friend to come. He and his friend would be able to come to Vermont and New Hampshire respectively. They objected saying that, NO... they wanted to come to the US. The agents at the consulate had to explain to them that they WERE coming to America. Once here, he traveled to several states until finally settling here in Nashville. He opened his own import business and was successful until the pandemic forced him to close it. He has a daughter that lives with his ex. They alternate custody of her annually as the mother is in South Dakota with family. He has since remarried. Once again I found myself speaking words of encouragement to him and suggested a business networking group he might consider attending that might be of some help. His current wife makes African clothes to sell and I even suggested they look at Etsy to market them.

Rabbi, the point I'm making is this. I have come to realize that glimmers are not just those small moments we experience in life that bring us joy, and peace. and gratitude. More importantly, we become glimmers to others by our intentional acts of kindness. I now believe this is the more important lesson to be gleaned from your sermon. One I am fortunate to have heard and internalized.

-Roy Hiller

Echoes of Elul: Day 14

The JNF mission I took to Israel in April was indeed a profound experience, marked by a powerful glimmer that connected me deeply with the country and its people. In that moment, I felt the significance of my presence there—understanding that it wasn't just about the mission itself, but about the message I was sending to those that I  encountered.

This glimmer reinforced the importance of showing the people of Israel that they were cared for and supported. It was a moment of realization that my presence, actions, and compassion had a real impact, letting them know that they were not alone and that there were others who backed them up.

This experience, and the emotions that came with it, will likely stay with me for a long time, serving as a reminder of the profound connections that can be forged through empathy and solidarity.

It was such an impactful glimmer, that I am going back on another JNF mission in October

-Judy Roth

Echoes of Elul: Day 13

Four weeks into his freshman year, our son faced a stark realization: the dream college he’d imagined was nothing like he’d hoped. He committed to finishing the year and explored transferring. Juggling a demanding course load while exploring and applying to other colleges was difficult, overwhelming, and at times discouraging. In March, while other college kids were on Spring Break, we were back on the college circuit. The first visit left us feeling deflated and discouraged. The second visit was different. We watched our son, cautiously connect during the visit – a glimmer. That night he enthusiastically talked about where and how he felt during the visit for the first time in months, he spoke with hope about college another glimmer. 

Fast forward, he transferred to the new college and the experience has been transformative. He’s found his place in a community where he truly fits in.     

- Vicki Estrin

Echoes of Elul: Day 12

The glimmer for me came in seeing our son complete and excel at his Bar Mitzvah.  This was a very important rite of passage to our family and though it was really difficult to get our son to devote time to his studies and to stay focused, with the help of our Rabbis, he not only achieved the goal but shined throughout the service.  The pride that our family members felt was contagious and so uplifting for all of us.  This changed my son's view that he can overcome hard things in life and succeed. We are looking to this next year as the year that this country will come together and be less divisive.  

-Anonymous

Echoes of Elul: Day 11

In the last year, I, along with my family, have seen an incredible number of rainbows.  The rainbows remind us of my father, who passed a couple years ago, and seem to materialize in the most striking of ways.  When my son hit his first homerun playing baseball, as he rounded the bases, a rainbow appeared, also coincidentally on my father's birthday. One day I woke up feeling sluggish on a rainy day, a rainbow came out from behind the clouds, and renewed my energy.  Driving my daughter home from gymnastics, she was feeling down because of an elbow injury, and boom- double rainbow!  There are many other examples, but the takeaway is that there is good to be found in every situation, it is all about attitude. The glimmers are all around us, we just have to open our eyes.

-Cole Geringer