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A Singing Shabbaton: Building a Community of Music

$1,379   raised
GOAL: $2,500

21

 Donors

Join our community of supporters and we can make a difference

CAMPAIGN DID NOT REACH GOAL

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A Singing Shabbaton: Building a Community of Music

January 23 – 25

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel taught, “In our days, public worship tends to become a spectacle, in which the congregation remains passive, inert spectators. But prayer is action; it requires complete mobilization of heart, mind, and soul. What is the worth of attending public worship when mind and soul are not involved? Renewal of liturgy involves renewal of prayer.”

Music is the heart of our prayer service here at Temple Beth-El. Renewing our experience of synagogue through focusing on participation in song will be the task of this special Shabbaton weekend. Sarah Metzger, who has been with us for two-and-a half years, is excited to leap headfirst into her expanded Music Director role by facilitating this joyous, musical weekend full of spirit and song for/with the Temple Beth-El and surrounding Jewish community.

This will be a time to make new friends, experience the power of a full 25-hour Shabbat, discover your hidden potential, and engage your mind and your heart. If you’ve never had a Jewish retreat experience, let this be your first. If you’ve been on retreats many times before, come help the rest of us get into the spirit of a day spent in the company of friends.

In addition to the communal singing that will take place on Friday night and Saturday, we’re excited to conclude the Shabbaton with what we will cheekily refer to as “Sarah Metzger’s Bachelorette Party” (Metzgeritas will be served, naturally). By the way, did you know that Sarah Metzger is getting married?? Save the date for the Aufruf on June 6!

In order to run this Shabbaton as successfully as possible, we’ll need your support in the following two ways:

1) COME SING AND LEARN WITH US!

2) Help us keep this Shabbaton free and open to those in our community.

In addition to the support from the Temple Beth-El Foundation, we are hoping to raise an additional $2,500 to help cover the cost of musical accompaniment, security, a catered dinner, and Metzgeritas.

As the late R. Heschel once said:

“Come for the Singing Shabbaton; stay for Sarah Metzger’s Bachelorette Party.”

 

Join our community of supporters and we can make a difference

CAMPAIGN DID NOT REACH GOAL

This campaign is currently closed.
No new updates
2020-01-23
Anonymous donor
2020-01-21
Paul & Kelly Horwitz
$180
"In honor of Sarah Metzger in thanksgiving for all her help in preparing our daughter Samantha for her bat mitzvah!"
2020-01-21
Mira and Eddie Griffith
$36
2020-01-15
Anonymous donor
2020-01-14
Sheri & Jimmy Krell
$100
2020-01-14
Ricki & Lanning Kline
$250
2020-01-14
Mia Neustein
$18
"Keep singing, lady!"
2020-01-12
Loraine & David Reznik
"We’re looking forward to sharing Sarah’s creative musical weekend of “old sach”, nusach, and “newer sach”!"
2020-01-11
The Ivker family
2020-01-10
Rebecca Rothman
"We're looking forward to it!"
2020-01-09
Marged Lindner
$36
2020-01-09
Nan and Doug Unkenholz
$100
2020-01-09
Bethany Slater
"So excited!"
2020-01-09
Anonymous donor
2020-01-09
Marjorie & Jay
"Looking forward to a weekend of music!"
2020-01-08
Anonymous donor
2020-01-08
Claire G. Metzger
$54
"I gladly give to your worthy cause!"
2020-01-08
Abe and Gail Schuster
$18
2020-01-07
THE WEINRIBS
$100
"I look forward to my newest vm recording"
2020-01-07
RIck and Addie Lupert
$36
"Please mail us unlimited high fives."
2020-01-07
Anonymous donor
"I dedicate this to Sarah who has taught us about mental health awareness, preparing for the High Holidays (Selichot), and enhancing “routine” prayer throughout the year (especially during Yom Kippur) through her amazing music."

This campaign deals with:

Film & Music | Jewish Communities

A Singing Shabbaton: Building a Community of Music

$1,379   raised
GOAL: $2,500

21

 Donors

Campaign organizer profile img
Campaign by
Temple Beth-El of Birmingham
AL, USA
CONTACT ORGANIZER

Shalom, y'all! I'm Sarah Metzger, the Music and Youth Director of Temple Beth-El in Birmingham, and I'm so proud of my community here. A little over two years ago, I came here to help Temple Beth-El become the singing community that I think the majority of our members want it to be. We've made huge strides, but I think an intensive Shabbaton weekend where we let go of all our inhibitions and just sing our hearts out--sing, with the joy and confidence of my 4-year-old nephew Matthew--would do TBE a world of good. This is a weekend where I will jump headfirst into my role as Music Director and I hope to inspire as many people to sing as possible.

  • Relationship Milestone I: The First Date
    3 claimed

    Well, gosh, I sure had a lovely time! How much do I owe you for dinner? WHAT, DINNER IS ON YOU?? THAT'S SO NICE! Your contribution is helping us reach our goal and we are incredibly grateful. In exchange for your $18 contribution, Sarah will give you a hug or high-five upon request.

  • Relationship Milestone II: The Four-Month Anniversary
    3 claimed out of 15 available

    The Talmud states that the traditional four-month anniversary gift is a poem, so for a contribution of $54, I will write you a haiku or limerick about you based on your real or imagined interests.

  • Relationship Milestone III: Assembling IKEA Furniture Together
    4 claimed out of 12 available

    Talk about commitment, AM I RIGHT??! Nothing says "I love you" quite like a couple's willingness to assemble an elaborate IKEA bookshelf together using only an Allen wrench and an instruction manual printed in Swedish. For a contribution of $100, Sarah will assemble & record a funny/musical/silly outgoing voicemail greeting on your phone that you can keep for as long as you'd like (or delete immediately. dealer's choice). Hey, if it's good enough for NPR, it's good enough for us!

  • Relationship Milestone IV: Meeting the Family
    1 claimed out of 3 available

    Well, it looks like it's getting pretty serious. Would you like to keep the magic going even AFTER the Shabbaton weekend? For a contribution of $250, I (Sarah Metzger) will be the musical entertainment at your next event. Pop/folk is my specialty, but I've also been known to quickly learn classic jazz standards for 90-year-old women's b-day parties.

  • Don't see the amount you want to donate? Every contribution helps!

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