Havurah Community Letter: Addressing Rising Antisemitsm in the Art World
Reimagining Tradition in Hannah Altman’s Photography
Nathan Salsburg on Folk Music and Jewish Inspiration
In this intimate conversation, iconic folk music guitarist and composer Nathan Salsburg intertwines his musical journey with his Jewish heritage, creating a path that transcends time and space.
On Narrative and Futurism: A Rosh Hashanah Reflection
Ellie Klibaner-Schiff, the Havurah Journal’s new editor, reflects on the powers of narrative and futurism as we enter the Jewish new year.
On Mac Miller's Yahrzeit, Remembering His Jewish References
As a fellow Jewish kid born in the 90s, listening to the Jewish references and wordplay in his music influenced me tremendously. I’ve combed through the internet, searching the r/MacMiller subreddit and diving deep into Google, and here I have compiled Mac Miller’s Jewish references that are most meaningful to me.
Eight Films to watch this Tisha b’Av
Films that echo themes of destruction, introspection, and serious contemplation have become fitting vehicles for this observance, helping us engage more deeply with the spirit of the day. Thus, the custom of watching sad, usually shoah-centered, movies on Tisha b’Av was born.
In Their Footsteps: Abby Litman writes Music for her Ashkenazi Heritage
Abby Litman's latest song, "This is Where I Stand," recounts the story of her grandparents during the Holocaust. Having attended a Jewish day school, Litman embarked on a March of Living-style trip to Poland and Israel for her graduation. However, despite being in such an intense place, she struggled with the feeling of not "experiencing it deeply" enough.
A Glue-Covered Omer
The counting custom includes reflecting on one of seven sefirot, the qualities or attributes of G-dliness, each week. In chassidic thought, the spectrum of human experience is composed of these seven fundamental emotions. Each of the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot, the period known as the Omer, are specifically set aside for introspection and improvement of each emotion.
From Texas to Tzfat: The Spiritual Journey of Chaya Toron
In this intimate interview with Havurah, Rachel Rumstein sits down with beloved Judaica artist Chaya Toron. Chaya shares her journey as an artist, the inspiration behind her work, and her mission to bring beauty and holiness to the world through creativity.
The Best Designed Haggadot
From mid-century kibbutz to contemporary Jewish artists, I’ve scoured the web to bring you the most beautiful haggadot out there. Get yourself a haggadah so good it can distract you from the 2 hour wait before food.
The Whimsical History of the Purim Spiel
The story of Esther is full of cosmic winks and giggles, which is what made Purim Speils so hard to ban for Chazal, even when live theater was often violent and crude with the occasional on-stage murder. Sages of the Mishnaic and Talmudic eras condemned theatre for being frivolous, and yet, Purim Speils were relatively commonplace throughout Ashkenazi Jewry of the mid-1500s.
RAZA on Uncovering the Heart of Song, and their Debut Album, Kapelya
Lifting the veil of mystery and discovering the heart of the nigun is what drives Chana Raskin, the woman behind Raza. This spiritual pursuit shines throughout her newest project, Kapelya, the debut album from Raza.
Josef by Cedars Of Lebanon - Parshat Vayeshev
Josh Engelson of Cedars of Lebanon gives Havurah an exclusive look into his newest single Josef, and how this week’s Parsha inspired the track.
The Annual Havurah Gift Guide - 5783
The season of hot beverages and thick sweaters is upon us. As Havurah’s self-proclaimed shopping expert, I thought it only right for me to publish our annual Chanukah gift guide. Our list includes some staff picks along with some spins on a few timeless classics. I guarantee these presents are so good, only one will be enough to last all eight nights.
How to draw God: Parshat Vayetzeh
Creatives often see censorship as meaningless blocks on creativity, which I usually agree with, but taking a look at other representations of this scene perhaps points to more possibilities within the realm of the limited.
Analytical Cubism & the Art of the Sukkah
In the cubist paintings of Georges Braque (France, 1882-1963), it seems to me that it is by dealing with the formal elements of structure and landscape that one can in fact find the space of spiritual dimensions within physical reality.
I Can No Longer Come and Go: Parshat Va’Yelech & The Death of Socrates
In The Death of Socrates, the chalice of poison is about to be handed to Socrates by one of his disciples. In the background at the staircase walks his wife; her hand raised gesturing farewell, echoing her husband’s hand raised in the philosopher’s resolute idealism.
Dancing for the Sublime
To create is inherently divine. To speak, write, and revel in artistic expression is to mirror the force that causes life to march forward and to cease- the same force that brings some molecules together and prevents the union of others…
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