Harmoniyah Mission Statement:
The mission of Harmoniyah (Reconstructionist Music Network) is to nurture, facilitate, and energize the evolving musical culture of Jewish civilization in accordance with the values and principles of Reconstructionism Judaism. Harmoniyah will serve to connect all who are involved in the musical transmission of our religious civilization by providing a central place for philosophical, educational, material, and logistical knowledge to be disseminated and shared by all of its members.
Background
Harmoniyah was founded as a grass roots movement by musicians attending the JRF Biennial Convention in 2004. There was a general feeling that musicians throughout the Reconstructionist movement had no apparatus by which they could network easily together. It was decided to try and build one together.
The main goals identified at that time included:
1. Create a list serve, preferably hosted by JRF.
This was achieved quickly by successful collaboration of Harmoniyah member Barry Brian with JRF Staff member R. Shai Gluskin. The list serve has over 100 subscribers. A monthly update is posted on the list by the Steering Committee Chair, and the list, while moderated, is used freely by its members to pose questions, make announcements, organize meetings, share resources, and was used very successfully to organize music events approaching the JRF biennial convention.
To sign up for the listserv you must be a member of a JRF congregation, a graduate of RRC, a member of the RRA or an individual member of JRF: Go to http://jrf.org/listserves
2. Create an on-line Music Catalogue for Reconstructionist music, with links to other resources. To be launched in phases beginning in 2007.
3. Energize Reconstructionist gatherings with music, both nationally and locally.
With the help and support of JRF Staff, Harmoniyah prepared a number of workshops and programs for the 2006 JRF Biennial Convention. This included the first North American JRF Community Kumsitz, a Music Sharing workshop, a goals setting workshop, and teaming with other groups in JRF to help with Shabbat song leading duties.
4. Provide for continuing leadership
After the convention in Portland a Steering Committee of volunteers was formed and has led the network up to the present day. The Steering Committee members were invited to join the committee by founders from Portland. The committee includes a member who is the liaison between Harmoniyah and JRF Staff. This relationship has proven to be very helpful and successful.
We are proud of what we have achieved so far with limited resources, feel we are able to acknowledge how to better concentrate these in order to achieve our goals, and look forward to the upcoming Convention in Philadelphia, and beyond.
Thank you.
Submitted by the Harmoniyah Steering Committee
Barry Brian
Hazzan Rachel Hersh Epstein
Elaine Moise
Barbara Nordstrom-Loeb
Rabbi Margot Stein
Rabbi Shawn Zevit (JRF Staff Liaison)
Doris Dyen (2007 Retreat co-chair)
Lauren Resnick (2007 Retreat co-chair)
Rabbi Shai Gluskin (JRF Web Liaison)
Other founding committee members:
Ilana Axel (Chair 2004-7)
Rabi Steve Segar (2004-7)
Cantor Sharon Hordes (2004-6)
