Jerusalem Business Blog: Hope and Redemption

"The idea of the Messiah gives people hope. We have to have something to look forward to, to know that we're not alone and that good things are coming. This concept should inspire people to be better. People are so intrinsically selfish—they want what they want and just care about today. Giving goodness out for the sake of the better world: that is the Messiah. Redemption is when we're taking care of each other, when we are conscious of each other, when we're bringing each other closer. What messianism means to me is collective redemption, not just for the Jewish people, but for the entire world. My father believed that we are meant to be one—we're meant to come together and to know that G-d loves every one of us. I feel that's mashiach—when people are singing one song together, dancing together, crying together. How amazing to see it happen during a song as opposed to during something tragic such as a tsunami or a hurricane. What if we made space for each other when there's no crisis? How amazing would that be!"

-Neshama Carlebach

Dear friends,

I hope blessings surround you.

Recently I was asked to express my thoughts about the concept of Redemption (quoted above).

It was a deep and ever evolving assignment. I remain tremendously grateful for this valuable and precious exercise.

Shortly thereafter I was asked by The Jewish Daily Forward (NY) to sing their new version of Hatikvah ("The Hope"), the Israeli National Anthem, with lyrics created by their staff.

The intention and prayer is for these new lyrics to not only open the door to more inclusion and peace, but also create the space for a global conversation about what that would mean, hopefully leading to more support for Israel. Since this was not the first time these lyrics were altered, I felt elated to have the opportunity to also create an impact. How incredible it is to witness these beautiful little souls in the 1930's expressing the same longing we all feel when we sing this timeless melody!

There has been controversy and misunderstanding attached to my recording of Hatikva but I know we are moving toward a better place and a new moment of perspective as a result.

Please click here (or scroll down) to read my press release.

In my own search for truth and meaning, I've thought about these two projects/opportunities a lot. My view continues to expand. After these experiences, it has become clear to me that our ultimate redemption and great healing will come from us. It is absolutely in our hands.

To find hope and redemption, we have to be who we are, without exception. It's about connecting to the Source and recognizing our unique gifts and the pure joy found within the call of our personal mission . We should be invigorated, not depressed, by this challenge. There are times we all fall apart, but we must consciously choose to stand up again, stronger, more capable, and filled with more life-power than before. Then, as soon as possible, we should seize the opportunity to use our experience to inspire others to find strength within themselves. A broken heart is absolutely the most whole; we pray to be broken so that when we heal we can recreate ourselves with new depth, empathy and understanding. When we find this, we are able to include every human being in a meaningful and redemptive manner. When we find each other, we find the Hope that allows us to grow and break free from everything holding us back. If we can love others from this place, aware of their vulnerability and all that we share in common, we can start to build a new world.

I hope you feel me praying for this- our Hope and Redemption- as I sing. It is my dream and personal mission to be a part of the inspiration for this change. I know we can get there.

With great pride, I also want to share our first video clip from our collaboration with Odyssey Networks. Please G-d, may this be the first of many we will create together. I remain so blessed by the Holy Work my team and I do together.

I'm looking forward to singing with you, in person, in your City, very soon. In the meantime, I send love to all corners of our world, to every one of you.

Peace and love,
Neshama

EVERY LITTLE SOUL MUST SHINE

Neshama's 8th recording, Every Little Soul Must Shine, is available now for purchase and download!

Here's a recent video interview describing me/my father's work:

http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishFeatures/Article.aspx?id=239947

BRING NESHAMA TO YOUR COMMUNITY!

To hire Neshama for concerts, private parties, fundraisers, Shabbat services, "women only" events, interfaith concerts with Reverend Roger Hambrick and The Green Pastures Baptist Choir, and workshops, please visit NeshamaCarlebach.com or send an email to soul@neshamacarlebach.com for more details.

NESHAMA LIVE!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK THE SCHEDULE at www.NeshamaCarlebach.com - new shows are being booked constantly…

May 12, 8:30 PM
An intimate Melavah Malkah musical evening with Neshama Carlebach, filled with soulful singing, storytelling, dessert, and Havdalah. This event is a benefit for the Enrichment Fund of Congregation B'nai Israel of Tustin, CA. A minimum donation to the CBI Enrichment Fund of $500 per person includes this event and all 5773 Enrichment Fund programs.
For further information or reservations for this exclusive event, please contact Congregation B'nai Israel at (714) 730-9693 or cbi18@cbi18.org.

May 13
Private Event
LA, CA

May 20, 6PM
Potomac, MD
Neshama will be performing at Supper Under the Stars
FOR WOMEN ONLY
For reservations please call 301 881-9010 ext 10, or visit www.Supperunderthestars.org
www.hamc.org

May 22, 5:30 PM
Park Avenue Synagogue
NYC
Neshama will be performing at the "Hadassah: 100 Years Young" Centennial Ima Celebration
To request an invitation please contact nyregion@hadassah.org or call 212-303-7433

May 30, 6:00 PM
Central Synagogue
123 East 55th Street
NYC, NY 10022
Neshama will Emcee the Isabella Freedman Inaugural Induction Event titled "If Not Now Society"
For further information or to RSVP please visit isabellafreedman.org/ifnot now.

June 9
NYC- Details to be posted shortly

June 24-July 1
Israel Tour
Show details to be posted shortly
For information or bookings, please contact Jonty Zwebner: jontyzwebner@gmail.com

Statement from Neshama Carlebach Regarding Hatikvah for the Holy Land

May 10, 2012

My father — Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach — was a man who truly loved humanity and fought against all odds, to bring change, new understanding and holiness. His tears never stopped for the 6 million. He and his immediate family fled Nazi-occupied Lithuania on the very last boat for America in 1939. My father is buried in Israel. My sister lives there with her family; I grew up in Israel and return several times a year. Even as children, my sister and I were taught to cry with one half of our hearts and rejoice with the other, in honor of our remembrance and mission to move forward. I have never turned my back on my Homeland, on who I am and where I've come from. I never will.

Two weeks ago, The Forward honored me with a request to perform their new version of our timeless and beautiful Hatikvah, the Jewish national anthem. My intention was not to make a political statement of any kind but to speak to the hearts of people from all faiths and backgrounds with love, compassion and great connection to Israel. This arrangement combines The Forward's new version with the original lyric, at my insistence. It is a gesture of fellowship to all those who pray for peace in the Holy Land and our Jewish Brothers and Sisters everywhere. Our voices together in song make our prayers more powerful.

It is my belief that music creates bridges, which lead us to harmony and peace. This creative endeavor was not intended to replace the original, iconic song but to expand its power and meaning. Hatikvah is the song of our people. It is mournful, steeped in memory and longing, sung in celebration and commemoration. Hatikvah is close to the heart of every Jew. Hatikvah is my own anthem.

To those who have misunderstood my intentions, I ask you not to dishonor yourselves by comparing my performance of Hatikvah to the acts of the worst persecutors of the Jewish People. As a child I watched my father be spit upon as frequently as he was embraced. I understand the risk of social censure as a creative and spiritual pioneer. There is so much work to be done, so much that needs to happen for our Global Redemption. I hope my music helps us feel that this moment is possible.

My singing of the Hatikvah was part of a larger mission. In my father's song, Higher and Higher he says, "Let me live till to the great moment comes, when the whole world will sing just one song." My dream is for each of us to be heard on the deepest level. We must have empathy and love to hear both the song and silent scream of every human being.

With the recording of this song, I challenge the world to be open to the idea of a global anthem, which inspires the growth of all humanity together in the revolution of peace.

Sing with me so our love will lift us Higher and Higher.

PRESS PRESS PRESS!

RADIO INTERVIEW ARCHIVE

VIDEOS OF LIVE PERFORMANCES

Click the links below to see video clips of performances…

ISRAEL- JUNE 2011
http://www.sojournrecords.com/prod/video/page/videoId/198
http://www.sojournrecords.com/prod/video/page/videoId/205
http://www.sojournrecords.com/prod/video/page/videoId/190
http://www.sojournrecords.com/prod/video/page/videoId/195

The Roper Theater , Norfolk, VA 1.15.11
NYC, May 12th, 2010
New Orleans, Oct 15, 2009: "Brothers and Friends"
New Orleans, Oct 15, 2009: "Return Again"
Amsterdam, 2009
Krakow, 2009
New York, 2008

NESHAMA ON FACEBOOK!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neshama-Carlebach/337524699742

According to Facebook I have too many friends (and hundreds of requests pending) and haven't been allowed to accept more. Please join me here, on my new Musician page. I'll still be running the page and responding to people, as I did before. Over the next weeks my existing friend page will be disabled to avoid confusion.

Thanks for your friendship and understanding!

Friends, our campaign to bring healing, love, awareness and much needed funds to the City of New Orleans continues!

Please help to rebuild Beth Israel of NOLA!

Click here to see a blog about Neshama's trip to New Orleans in October, 2009.

NESHAMA'S CONTACT INFO

Management:
Mark Ambrosino of MTA Management/Sojourn Records
Phone: 212-255-5080
Email: mtambro@gmail.com

Booking:
Neshama Carlebach
PO Box 525, Planetarium Station
New York, New York 10024-0525
Fax: 917 • 464 • 3723
e-mail: soul@neshamacarlebach.com

Label:
Sojourn Records
405 Kirkman Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003
Phone: 718-360-9925
Email: info@sojournrecords.com
Website: www.SojournRecords.com
Neshama's page

Executive Assistant to Neshama Carlebach
Ruth D. Caraballo
917-597-3069
ruthdcaraballo@gmail.com

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