Craig Taubman, a wonderful Jewish musician (and a friend), published a new album recently.
I love the cover art:
The title track, Holy Ground, is beautiful. It reminds us that "all of life is holy ground" - wherever we are. What a powerful reminder for those days when we feel that our lives have become mundane and ordinary. It was commissioned in honor of the HUC Rabbinic Class of 2008, and I think it's a perfect song to help new (and veteran) rabbis (and non-rabbis too!) remember the sacred nature of every act they perform, even ones that seem trivial.
My favorite track on the CD is V'shamru. It's a rockin' rollin' awesome version of this traditional reading. And Craig writes in the liner notes: "Don't let PlayStation steal this chance to live and to love." I love this singable song and I love the reminder to carefully guard and protect the joys of Shabbat.
The other track I'm holding onto is Ki Hem Chayenu (not the least of which because it is dedicated to the memory of Grandpa Ben and Grammy from Ben, Anna, Noah, and Dorothy - a family that I hold dear), because it's a really beautiful reminder of the real meaning of the prayer Ahavat Olam. Teach us to number our days that we may have a heart of wisdom...
There are other great tracks that I'm going to learn...a musical setting for Birkat HaGomel, a prayer that Reform Jews have begun to embrace thanks to its inclusion in the new Mishkan Tefillah prayerbook, a Lecha Dodi that is also pretty jazzy (but I'm a fan of Craig's earlier Lecha Dodi too!), Love Your God, a setting for the Shema that is a perfect lullaby.
It's a great CD, would make a great gift, and no one even paid me to say this! (Actually, Craig himself handed me this CD at the Biennial and I told him that I'd be giving it away after I listened to it!)
So...you know you want this CD. I'm sure you can get it somewhere else, but you can also WIN IT here!
Leave a comment and make sure I know how to get a hold of you if you win.
Winner will be chosen on Tuesday, December 8th. Tell your friends!Extra entry for tweeting but YOU MUST LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT to tell me about your tweets, pretty please?
Wouldn't it be nice if you shared it on Facebook too? I'd appreciate it. You know you love me. Thanks, y'all!
27 comments:
I would love to win this CD. My mom and I love Craig Taubman! :) sbcashortie (at) hotmail (dot) com
I tweeted the giveaway at http://twitter.com/sbshortie/status/6387536790
I'm always looking for new Jewish music to listen to. Thanks for the rec!
I also tweeted the giveaway (via cumomof2). My email is laura at chambanamoms dot com
This is new to me, but it sounds great. I'm always looking for new Jewish music (or good old Jewish music too).
YiddishBitterRose at gmail dot com
Wow - Sounds great and I can't wait to listen to it!
Woo hoo - I retweeted and I'm so excited that I actually did it correctly!
Chicken or egg -- are we embracing Birkat Hagomel because it's in Mishkan T'filah or is it in MT because it was already in demand?
Retweeted the Craig Taubman link, neglected to say in my previus comment that I want a crack at winning the CD, and you can reach me at hinneni@aol.com.
It sounds like a wonderful CD to have!
It's funny. My husband was telling me that he turned down all food at his office party because it was not kosher. When someone asked him why, he said that his diet is holy.
It reminded me of the cd you have written about.
Melissa
I am intrigued and may have to purchase this cd if I am not the lucky winner ;)
intriguing new CD. thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you so much for writing me back.
I think I am more excited right now than Nick is that he might be Jewish.
He is excited, however, because he wants me to be happy. He feels like this will help me on my journey to Judaism.
Melissa
I am always looking for new music
You know where to find me :)
I love his music. It is nice to find Jewish music you actually enjoy!!!
sari H.
Retweeted the info.
I learned many of these songs from Craig over the last few years. Can't wait to see how they have been produced. Favorite new song: Aleinu (the one that focuses on "Ein Od."
Best,
Neil Weinstein
neilnfw@aol.com
A CD would be awesome!! This would make me a very happy camper! email me at hsjcohn@att.net.
Shalom,
Holly
This sounds like it would make a great gift. Please enter me.
Thanks!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
We would love to have this CD at our preschool!
carrieplant AT gmail
I would enjoy this CD.
Alain
abeauparlant AT gmail
This CD would make a great addition to our Frozen Chosen preschool room in Anchorage!
in my excitement about this amazing giveaway, I forgot to say that I could be reached at jecpreschool at aol.
Todah!
pick me pick me! :)
tweet tweet! heatheramyprice
have you entered @imabima 's giveaway? http://imabima.blogspot.com/2009/12/holy-ground-review-and-giveaway.html
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