Believe it or not, if the Bride & Groom would have a 2nd chance to do their wedding reception over again, over 70% of Brides & Grooms said they would of not skimped on the DJ, that’s 7 out of 10. It seems like everyone is just looking for a price and not putting the value of having a great DJ at your wedding reception. Below are a few considerations when pricing and booking a DJ.

“The Entertainment You Choose For Your Wedding Is Responsible For 80% Of Your Events Success.”- Martha Stewart

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Back-up: Does your DJ have a back-up DJ in place and can be reached 24/7. We have a back-up DJ on call through our 24 hour answering service that can be activated through your venue or yourself. What if the DJ moves out of the area in next few months or gets sick, has a family emergency, car breaks down, has a car accident on the way to your wedding or may be sick or injured and may require a hospital stay? Murphy’s Law: “everything that can go wrong, may go wrong”, so what is your back-up plan?

Insurance: Most, if not all reputable venues require a 2 million dollar liability policy which can name them and you with the protected liability insurance. If your DJ doesn’t have insurance, you probably will be required to provide a “wedding vendor insurance policy” to protect the hall from liability and damages” and that cost will come from you or the vendor and chances are, the vendor won’t pay it. The policies can range from $250-$500 per policy, per vendor. So you may initially save on the DJ at first, but will have to pay for a policy costing you more than your allotted budget. “Just like a warranty, better safe than sorry, what is this type of service worth to you?”

Familiarity: Does the DJ know the venue, know the routine of how they do things, the acoustics of the room? All weddings have a tight agenda and must be coordinated and communicated with the caterer in charge. So any delays or miscues can cause missed pictures or video, overcooked food, poor communication with other vendors, acoustics of the room (proper sound system with upper full range and lower subs for a beautiful sound) etc.. “We recommend to ask your venue about who may be the best DJ for your needs, get references or look on-line to see your DJ’s reviews from other brides.”

Quality: I know most of our customers don’t ask about what type of DJ equipment is used or even if the DJ has knowledge of the wedding industry and traditions, but they should and here’s why. A DJ is performing around 4 to 6 hours continuous throughout the night with really no breaks, so if he is a bad DJ or has a bad audio system with mics cutting out, speaker distortion, sound not properly set-up for that room ”you may have a very long night”. “According to “theknot.com” and other wedding review sites, over 75% of brides are unhappy with their entertainment choice and wish they could do it all over again.”

Forms, music choices, ceremony music, etc.: Does your DJ have the proper forms, music lists, tools, a website, an office or office staff with knowledge to help you plan your perfect day? We will break your wedding reception into a wedding time-line program with exact times for each event to assure you a smooth running affair with no worries. “Before booking a DJ, ask the DJ to send you their forms, music lists, etc., if he has none, then he is not a DJ who does weddings.”

Budgets: I know weddings can be expensive, so why would a bride & groom have a beautiful wedding and spend $10,000 to $100,000 on their big day and hire the $500 DJ that could be a total embarrassment to you and your guests. Not to take away from all the other things that go into a wedding, but I always constantly hear, “we had a great time at your reception, we danced all night, the food was great, congratulations “ Let’s face it, at the end the day, we really only have the memories, so make your choice the right one.

Time Invested: We hear that some vendors do not do this full time and are tough to reach. We have 2 offices, 2 faxes, many e-mail’s and a 24 hour answering service for your convenience to always have a way to contact us. Plus we have an office staff fielding calls and appointments 40 hours per week. The time invested with a DJ is about 10+ hours, it is the initial consultation with many calls throughout the year to discuss the agenda of your wedding, our load ins, set-up, breakdowns, load outs, travel time and of course the time entertaining at your wedding, not to mention the investment of equipment and music. Well, you’ve heard, “buyer beware, you always get what you pay for”, so if they seem to be too good to be true, they probably are

I’m one of those people who loves new music, especially when I get to play it at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Wedding, Prom, Homecoming Dance, Corporate Event, Gala, Sweet 16, Birthday Party, Graduation, School Dance, Club, Bar, etc, etc, etc. Hey, I’m a DJ! Check out some of the newest viral videos trending online, and throughout the youth and social media channels of the Philadelphia and New Jersey teenage market.

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

David Guetta – She Wolf (Falling Into Pieces)

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Christina Aguilera – Your Body

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Chris Brown – Don’t Judge Me

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

One Direction – Live Like We’re Young (Behind The Scenes Look)

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Cher Lloyd – Oath

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Coldplay – Hurts Like Heaven

It brings me great pleasure to announce the merging of ESG Entertainment & East Coast Event Group. With a combined “50 plus” years in our industry, experience is definitely something we can back up. We are about to completely revamp the entire bar/bat mitzvah market, from Philadelphia through New Jersey, and everywhere in between. Below are some of our basic packages. We look forward to working with you soon.

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Growing up in Bucks County PA was pretty cool. Council Rock, class of 1996. Bucks County Community College. Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and all the cop cars pulling you over for illegal window tint one could handle. Hey, not much crime really goes down in the North Eastern Suburbs of Philly. We have some pretty neat wedding venues and bar/bat mitzvah venues too. Pennsylvania isn’t just Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with Alabama in between. Check out a montage of awesome affordable wedding and bar/bat mitzvah venues in pictures.

They say a picture is worth 1000 words. In this case, it’s just worth 20… or 20 pictures that is. A “who’s who” of artist(s) you probably will recognize. According to some charts, these celebrities are the voices behind the greatest wedding songs in history. First Dance, Bride & Groom! Can you name the song(s)? I’ll post a follow up to this blog, but I’m not giving out any clues. The over/under is 15. Where do you score? Good luck! Cheerio!

Now-a-days, you have a choice. Do I go with a Party Band? Do I go with a DJ? I mean, come on. Your wedding or bar/bat mitzvah only happens once. Hopefully!

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Hurdle one. Finances. I need an affordable, not cheap, but professional, experienced, energetic, enthusiastic, polished, and exciting band. I mean DJ. I mean band. I mean DJ. Ahhhhh!

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Truthfully, it’s really about personal preference. Do you want LIVE music, or do you want CANNED music? Do you want entertainers, or an entertainer. Sort of. Huh?

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

There really is no good answer here, at least not one I can supply for you. It’s totally your decision. You probably already know which route you want to go, if you have the money. If you don’t, I’ll assume you’re leaning towards disc jockey. If you do, then it’s all about how you envision your big day. Do you want to hear Carly Rae Jepsen sing “This Kiss,” or do you want to hear front girl Tracey sing it? Totally up to you. What will make YOU happy?

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

I know this didn’t help one bit, but it wasn’t supposed to. I wanted to point out the fact that NO ONE can supply this answer to you. So when family and friends get in your ear, and try and persuade you, just remember, this is YOUR big day, and the decision, ultimately, must come from you.

~ Yours Truly

PS – you could always book a HYBRID … I can just see your face now. WHAT?

I took more of my “extensive market research” and realized that although there are a ton of “online” lists, there aren’t many, if any, downloadable ones. At least not in any sort of order, as most of them tell you what you need, but not necessarily in the order you need them.

So what did I do? Yup, Click to download.

downloadable-how-to-plan-a-wedding-sheet-checklist-philadelphia-new-jersey

It’s not every week one good song comes across my desk, but four? That’s unheard of in this business. Maybe in a month, or a few weeks, but not all in one shot. These tracks are all pretty cool, and I wanted to share them with you. All available on iTunes. TTYL!

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

CLICK THE IMAGE! Thank you.

I did every internet search imaginable, found some awesome articles, and came up with this SHORT edition designer, trend, and keyword log. Hopefully, it helps. After all, I am a guy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand how important your dress is for your big day. To some women, it’s the number one item on the list.

“When you look/feel good, everything else just sort of falls into place.” ~ ESG

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

WEDDING/BRIDE

Silhouette: A-Line, Ball Gown, Empire, Mermaid & Sheath

Length: Street Length, Intermission (Tea) Length, Ballet Length, Floor Length

Sleeves: ¾ Sleeves, Bell, Cap, Fitted Point, Juliet, Long Sleeves, Off-The-Shoulder Sleeves, Poet, Pouf, Short Sleeves, Sleeveless, Spaghetti

Neckline: Bateau, Halter, High, Jewel, Off-The-Shoulder-Portrait, Scoop, Square, Strapless, Sweetheart, V-Neck

Bodice: Corset, Halter, Midriff, Surplice, Tank

Train: Sweep, Court, Chapel, Cathedral, Royal

Veil: Birdcage, Flyaway, Blusher, Elbow, Fingertip, Ballet, Chapel, Cathedral

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Designers: White by Vera Wang, David’s Bridal Collection, Oleg Cassini, Galina Signature, Galine, DB Studio, Melissa Sweet, Morilee by Madeline Gardner, Blu, Angelina Faccenda, Julietta, Voyage, Sarah Houston, Lucca Bride, Mia Mia Bridal, Pepe Botella, Maggie Sottero, Two by Rosa Clara, Ian Stuart, Alan Hannah, Justin Alexander, Charlotte Balbier, Stephanie Allin, Paloma Blanca, Ronald Joyce, Mark Lesley, Benjamin Roberts, Blu by Enzoani, Cymbeline, Eternity Bride, Pronovias, Ritva Westenius, Suzanne Ermann, Lyn Ashworth, Amanda Wyatt, Augusta Jones, Jesus Peiro, Vera Wang, Alberta Ferretti, Sassi Holford, Stewart Parvin, Sharon Bowen, Carolina Herrera, Olivia Couture, Claire Pettibone, Kate Sherford, Sincerity Bridal, Veromia, Domo Adami, Lee-Ann Belter, Suzanne Neville, Johanna Hehir, Amanda Wakeley, Nicole Spose, Ella Bridals, Elizabeth Fillmore, Marchesa, Wendy Makin, Marylise, Nicola Anne, Madeline Issac James, Hollywood Dreams, David Fielden, Sophia Tolli, White Rose Bridal, Paloma Blanca, Sam Patrick, Essense Of Australia, Martiana Liana, Tara Keely, Monique Lhuillier

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Trends: Ruffles, 1950’s Style, Asymmetrical Seams, Flower Power, Bows To Wow, Beading Highlights, Sleeves & Straps, Flower Greek Goddess Gowns, Ballgowns, Lace

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

BAT MITZVAH/GUEST OF HONOR

Designers: Alyce Designs, BG Haute, Blush Prom By Alexia, Cassandra Stone by Mac Duggal, Cassandra Stone II by Mac Duggal, Clarisse, Dana Mathers, Dave & Johnny, Evenings by Allure, Fabulouss by Mac Duggal, Faviana, Flirt by Maggie Sottero, Gigi, Hannah S, Jasz Couture, Jovani, La Femme, Love 16 by Enzoani, Mac Duggal, Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner, Night Moves by Allure, Panoply, Precious Formals, Scala, Shail K., Sherri Hill, Shimmer by Bari Jay, Sparkle Pro, Stuido 17, Sydney’s Closet, Terani, Tiffany Designs, Tony Bowls, Xcite, Xtreme

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

ericscottgold.wordpress.com | 267.303.8393

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Dress Montage

I don’t really understand the word “CHEAP.” Cheap seems like something you say when you go to Walmart, and need paper plates for a BBQ. “Hey Chris, tell dad to get the CHEAP ones.” Or when you’re buying your dog a toy at Petsmart, and know he’s going to tear it up in an hour. That’s the sort of stuff where I see the word “CHEAP” coming into play. But not a wedding or a mitzvah! Not for a DJ!

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Then there’s the word “AFFORDABLE,” which seems to be the elegant term for “We’re on a budget. I need someone who will do an amazing job, but doesn’t need to make his rent AND car payments off us in the process.” That seems more reasonable, wouldn’t you agree?

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

To sum it all up, I did internet searches for the word “CHEAP” DJ & Disc Jockey and “AFFORDABLE” DJ & Disc Jockey. There is a HUGE difference in the overall presentation of each category. Sometimes, they are the same price, when I compare, but just saying to a friend “Hey, I googled CHEAP DJ, and found Bruce” VS “Gina, I googled AFFORDABLE DJ, and found X/Y Entertainment for Brides and Mitzvah Moms on a budget.” See what I’m saying?

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me, but I would think that although probably the same price bracket, definitely different levels of service, prior to, and throughout your event. I look forward to working with you soon. ~ Yours Truly

Well, no longer are the faces engulfing the TV boy bands like Backstreet, N’Sync, or 98 Degrees (although they are making a comeback). Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and Kelli Clarkson … not so much. Gaga, well, she’s on her own planet. Her, the monsters, and her recent string of half naked photos traveling viral. And then there’s Kanye … dear Ms. Kardasheian, when are we getting him back? So that pretty much leaves everyone you see below. Can you name them all? There are 20 photos, and the obvious “2 fer” of Miss CRJ. Ohhhh, it’s not my mother’s radio rotation anymore. “I Will Survive” … #Fail

The common misconception in this industry, or any for that matter, is that you get what you pay for. Normally, this statement is very true, and holds serious weight, but sometimes, CHEAP & AFFORDABLE does not necessarily mean “JUNK.”

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

I have over 15 years in this industry, 6 of them, with the biggest DJ name on the planet, and 8 of them, with the biggest overall event company in the entire Tri-State area. When you go off solo, on your own, sometimes, you don’t have to charge “X” fee, because you don’t have the overhead behind you. I’m my own staff. I do everything myself behind the scenes, and I’m the front man on all my events.

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

With that being said, I don’t want YOU to look at my prices and go “UH, RED FLAG.” I want you to say “HMMM… I’m getting some serious value here for my buck, and that saves me money to put towards Y & Z.”

Thanks for your time. I look forward to working with you soon. ~ Yours Truly

First off, I LOVE Linkedin! If you’re in business, and you don’t have an active Linkedin account, you’re really missing the boat.

So I post pretty much everything I do on several linkedin boards, daily. Today, I get an e-mail from a DJ in Florida. It reads:

(After the intro stuff)

“I found you in the _________ group, and maybe you can help me. I have my first ever baz (no idea what “baz” is, but OK) mitzvah in three weeks, and don’t know how to start it, because it’s not a wedding. I was informed that you start a children’s event with some dancing. Do I play a couple standards; Poker Face, Sexy Back, Since U Been Gone??? Or do I play older songs for everyone; I Will Survive, Play That Funky Music, Brick House, Dancing Queen??? Thanks in advance for your help, if you will offer it up.”

(10 minutes pass)

VIDEO PROCESSING

So after thinking it through, and shaking my head, I decided to make the video attached above. Less than actually being there to do the event myself, I figured this would get the point across. Basically, all I sent was the video, and a small caption that said: “Good luck! Let me know how it turns out, record some video, and send it to me. Love to see it. Take care, Eric.”

Hey, I’m really a nice guy, and if I think about the clients/guests, regardless of where in the world they are, I’d like them to have a fun party. Wouldn’t you? Fingers crossed for the guy. Sounds a bit out of his element, but I respect the reach out for help. Not many guys would do that, but since he did, I replied, with the best possible assistance I could give. In this business, we are all a family.

Look forward to working with you soon. ~ Yours Truly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Jews throughout the Delaware Valley and the world are observing the most solemn holiday of the Jewish year: Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement.”

As part of the observance, members of one Philadelphia congregation are also looking to fulfill the needs of others as they reflect on their own actions over the past 12 months.

(Marjorie Rosenbluth Philips. Credit: Michelle Durham)

Congregation Rodeph Shalom, at Broad and Mt. Vernon Streets in North Philadelphia, is the spiritual home to more than 1,100 area families, including that of Marjorie Rosenbluth Philips (right).

“I’m a third generation Rodeph Shalomer, and it is very special,” she said today, referring to the synagogue’s observance. “We basically sit here and think how we can do more for the community, how we can be better selves.”

As worshippers filed in for the service, they stopped by a large Philabundance truck to drop off bags of nonperishable items for needy families.

“We’re asked to collect food so that it can be donated after the service,” Philips explains. “It’s just a demonstration of how we can be better people.”

(Bins of food donations are collected for Philabundance, the anti-hunger organization. Credit: Michelle Durham)

Jews fast today as they reflect, then will gather at sundown with those special to them to break the fast.

[listicle id=55129 show_title=true]

I have been hosting bar and bat mitzvahs for over fifteen years.

They normally start out like this:

Kids enter room. Girls take off heels, put on socks. Boys rip off suit jackets, pull shirts from pants, tie goes flying. Then, at the end of the night, everyone’s trying to figure whose stuff is whose, and a scavenger hunt breaks out.

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

So then I ask myself: Why are parents sending these kids to an event dressed in clothing that makes them feel uncomfortable? Now, I understand that you need to be dressed up for the service, but it doesn’t mean you have to wear 6 inch heels, or the most slippery shoes they sell at the men’s warehouse. Girls sometimes DO want to get dolled up, and that’s OK, but most boys would be much more comfortable in a pair of white sneakers, an optional hat, to be thrown on AFTER the service, and the tie 86’ed. If you think about it rationally, the girls usually ALWAYS dance, but the boys are the ones parents are always concerned about.

“How are you going to entertain the boys who DON’T want to dance?”

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

The EASY, and OBVIOUS answer, is “with games.”

WHY? Why must “I,” as a professional and experienced MC/DJ, over engulf your event with game after game after game? This is a DANCE PARTY, right? I understand that some events, events that are KID HEAVY, without all the formalities, DO need games. That’s standard. But tell me why an evening event with 150-175 adults, and 50-75 kids, needs to be overpopulated with chaos on the dance floor, most of which, actually brings the party vibe DOWN. With ALL the good music out there today, a QUALITY entertainer, can come up with enough DANCEABLE entertainment, keeping the vibe going for the duration of the party.

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

My best example being this:

How many times a season, during the mitzvah circuit, do you see coke/pepsi? Light bulb! Sometimes the kids ask for it, but other times, it’s all the DJ has in his arsenal. How long do you truly think coke/pepsi takes to play, and then, what happens to all the kids who get OUT? Where do they go? Free-for-all! I’m sure you’ve seen this at least once or twice.

Keeping ALL the kids on the dance floor is a skill I have mastered over my years, and truthfully, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Do you really think the catering staff, or the party planner, want the kids running around the building during adult dinner service? “Coke, Pepsi, switch sides, Coke, you’re out. “ Do you really think the kids go and sit down in their seats? NO! They’re all over the place.

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

So to sum this all up, I hope two things came out of this blog. One, let the kids be who they are, and you’ll see, hopefully, their true characters and personalities shine on the floor, especially the boys. Two, you don’t need to rely on 4-6 games, if you have someone leading the way, with entertaining, and engulfing, “music related” activities.

Thanks for checking out my blog. I’m not someone who will “YES” clients to death to attain business. I’d rather tell you the truth, up front, as in the end, it’ll only HELP your event, not hurt it.

Look forward to working with you soon. ~ Yours Truly

You’ve seen the MTV and VH1 countdowns, and you’ve heard Ryan Seacrest on AT40, but do you REALLY know what’s going on in cyber land? Most of the time, these ratings come from air play, on radio stations around the world, votes, and/or surveys. 65 plus percent of people watch and listen to stuff online, and TRENDS on twitter can be a tell factor. Check out the top twelve ONLINE list.

Live While We’re Young – One Direction

Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift

Goin’ In – Jennifer Lopez

This Is Love – Will.I.Am

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia

Good Time – Owl City/FT Carly Rae Jepsen

As Long As You Love Me – Justin Bieber

One Thing – One DIrection

Boyfriend – Justin Bieber

Dance Again – Jennifer Lopez

So earlier this week, I did an interview for PARTY SPACE on “Current Bar/Bat Mitzvah Trends.” After doing that interview, and reading the blog, it prompted me to construct my own, for your viewing pleasure. Funny thing happened to me as I was constructing it though. I started to see some amazing similarities between weddings and mitzvahs, and I think it’s because today’s average couple may just be watching the same shows, listening to the same music, and on the same social media sites, as your everyday tweener… oh… I meant teenager.

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

I said in that blog that video screens were becoming obsolete, and up lighting / décor & dance floor lighting were starting to really showcase. Why? When you have video screens at a mitzvah or a wedding, what happens? Everyone on the dance floor starts paying attention to music videos and photos, and it takes away from the dancing. You get this circle of people all memorized by a TV set. I don’t know about you, but isn’t that what 9PM on a Tuesday night is for? Dear Sony, that’s for 1080 P!

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Another thing I’ve started to see is the decline of “Push Button” DJs. Say what? What’s a push button DJ? Short answer: It’s a DJ who waits for a song to start fading out, or a down beat to occur, hits the play button on the other side of the controller, and talks through the transition. Back in the 90’s, clients (you) really didn’t “get it.” Today, it’s SO obvious. Next time you go to a party, listen really carefully to when song A goes to song B. If the DJ doesn’t talk through it, and it doesn’t sound like a train wreck, you’ll know you are listening to someone who actually knows what he/she is doing.

Wedding And Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJ Bucks And Montgomery County PA

Lastly, there is a HUGE decline in Disco and 80’s music, and frankly, the 1960’s are hanging out with the bridge and tunnel crew. Now, that’s not saying I won’t play it if you ask for it, but there is no need, with ALL the good music today, to revert back to “I Will Survive” into “Play That Funky Music” into “Disco Inferno” into “Brick House” set. Sorry, but if that’s all you got, you obviously aren’t paying attention to people like Gaga, Taylor, Katy, Rihanna, Pitbull, and the Bieber, just to name a few. It’s MUCH better than what the boy bands were putting out in the later 90’s.

Thank you, as always, for reading my blog. I try to give you informational text, so that you can let it marinate in your mind, and apply it to your event. I look forward to working with you soon.

~ Yours Truly

Published data: “Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania”.

Contrary to what you might think from the title, included amongst the denominations of material are Jewish Collections. My wife’s family has connection to two of Philadelphia’s oldest synagogues: Mikveh Israel & Rodeph Shalom which are in this new Ancestry database. While the resources lack what we are looking for in this new database, it is still encouraging to see some HSP collections in Ancestry.com.  I still prefer to go to the HSP in person — what a resource for genealogists who have ancestors from the earliest days of colonial America.

The moral of this story is not to just accept (or reject) a database on the basis of its name. Look deeper!

This catalog, which accompanies the exhibition of the same name at The Rosenbach Museum and Library Company in Philadelphia, features 75 full-color illustrations of all the objects in the exhibition.

Read the of this book before you purchase it.

This catalog provides information of lasting value and interest about each of the objects and explains their place in the broader history of books and manuscripts in Hebraic language over the past millennium. Additional contributions by Evelyn Cohen and Emile Schrijver.

Objects for the exhibition have been loaned by Bryn Mawr College Library; Center for Advanced Judaic Studies Library, and Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania; Congregation Mikveh Israel; Congregation Rodeph Shalom; Free Library of Philadelphia, Rare Book Department and Education, Philosophy, and Religion Dept.; Haverford College Library; Temple Judea Museum, and Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel.

Purchase this book for $25.00:

1. a lasting solution in Israel, where everyone can live in peace and dignity”;
2. religious freedom for Tibetans;
3. an end to the war in Iraq and an honest restructuring of the Iraqi; infrastructure;
4. an end to the misery in Darfur; and
5. understanding within my family for different views and different ways of doing things.

All of these found their way onto my list, along with a few others regarding local concerns as well, chief among which were wishes for the continued reduction in the number of homicides in my city, and care and reconciliation within the Democratic party (Clinton and Obama campaigns), so that eventual unity and electoral success can be achieved.

Friday was also the Jewish holiday of Purim, so my knitting time was also devoted to thinking creatively about the relationship between the Jewish holiday of Purim and peace (a few recent essays on Purim violence and traditions certainly stimulated me), and ways to promote the pursuit of peace in the American Jewish community. Much creativity will be needed in this endeavor, so I’ve been working on variations of “co-existence leaves” for the TikkunTree Project.

I also worked on a felted “Peacetaschen” Hamentaschen cookie. I’ll have more to add about Purim and the Peacetaschen shortly.

It’s especially gratifying to have knittivist colleagues in the virtual needlework community. I recently had the pleasure of stumbling into the sub-community of knitters for peace. There’s Ravelry’s “Knitting our way to Peace” group (moderated by Hanane of Knitting Our Way to Peace), which carries on a stimulating conversation about matters of religion and religious practices, peace, and ways to use our skills to promote peaceful thoughts and action. Another Ravelry member, Sophia, recently initiated the 198 Countries Peace Project, looking to join the flags of the 198 countries of the world; I’ve volunteered to make the Israel & Palestine Flags, which I plan to join – at the hip, like Siamese twins, which is how I see the two communities (if you are interested, you can read more here). I’ve already charted the pair of flags and the way I plan to unite them. I’ll be using Peace Fleece yarns (of course). (the project still needs volunteers for some of the countries, so join in!).

In addition, I’ve been fascinated by the range of ways in which activity of needlework has become a spiritual ritual for so many. Tallit (prayer shawls) are not a part of our family’s practice, but I’ve always been impressed by others’ beautiful examples. Ministers Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo have embarked on a prayer shawl ministry, and Wren Ross uses knitting as a special meditation ritual that creates a tactile prayer. Ross chose the seed stitch for her Seeds of Intention Scarf (see her book Changing Patterns)

because of the symbolic value of seeds. Lao Tzu said, ‘To see things in the seed, that is genius.’ Seeds promote growth. I wanted the stitches to be seeds for self-love and compassion with the reminder that gardens, knitting, and people take time to develop. We need to fertilize and water ourselves with patience, kindness, and insight and not expect results instantaneously.

I begin the ritual of making the Seeds of Intention Scarf by washing my hands. This is my transition from the daily grind of endless ‘must do lists’ to the sacred time of quiet reflection. Next, I light a candle to welcome inspiration. Then I take my [...] yarn from its embroidered bag, place a clean white cloth on my lap, and begin to knit. Slowly. Each stitch is a seed of intention for something I want or need. If I am feeling anxious, I may knit an affirmation such as: I am secure and connected to myself and others with compassion. If someone I know is ill, I wish that person good health through my stitches. I knit to support qualities in myself that I want to cultivate: kindness, hope, clarity, and love. This knitting meditation kept me balanced and centered during the entire writing process.

Though I’m somewhat uncomfortable with creating a special ritual for my own tikkunknitting. I’ve been thinking about the way in which my knitting can reflect my personal expression of tikkun olam. I share Ross’s interest in the symbolism of stitches, and have been thinking about patterns that might, beyond the work of the TikkunTree Project, express my commitment to a just peace in Israel. I envision Hebrew and Arabic prayers for peace across the boundaries of my knitting, or the flora and fauna of Israel-Palestine traversing hats, sweaters, and more. I’ve also been working with teenagers in my Reform synagogue’s Confirmation Academy (post-bnai mitzvah program), attempting to teach tikkunknitting – to help them make a network of connections between the work of their hands (the new knitting skills they are learning), heart (the impulse toward tikkun olam, to engage in repair of their world through social action), and heads (decisions about materials and people to knit for).

There’s more discussion about “Hands-On Spirituality” here.

Naturally, I have many thoughts on the subject, having taken knitting as the metaphor for this website’s project. Though I’ve spent much time working through the challenges of Genesis since Simchat Torah, there’s been plenty of knitting going on behind the scenes. To transform my knitting into Tikkunknitting, my choices are informed by reference to the “five w’s” from elementary school: who, what, when, where, why (and how).

Why? (and how)

You are not required to complete the work, yet you are not allowed to desist from it. Pirkei Avot 2:21

I start with the Tikkun ha-Olam, and knittivism, each understood as noun (doctrine) and verb (activity). The modern liberal Jewish community is familiar with the eco-social implications of the doctrine of tikkun olam: to heal, repair and transform the world, by working to create a world that embodies social, economic and environmental justice. Originating in the Kabbalistic philosophy of Isaac Luria, Tikkun ha-Olam was the most distinctively Jewish and the most important ethical obligation: every act of creation, divine and human, was understood to participate in the process of restoring the broken vessels of creation (Shevirat ha-Kelim), expressing the essential relationship between mankind and the divine (more about this 16th-century teacher here). The active, verb-oriented nature of the doctrine is what inspires me.

I am similarly motivated by the notion of “knittivism”, the view that needlework should be used vigorously, in controversial, unusual or challenging (even political) ways (discussed here), and keeping track of the varied “knittivist” projects created by others, motivates me greatly.

I see the intimate connection between the tradition of divine Creation and human creating expressed by Luria in the opening of an early printed edition of the Torah, in which Bereshit is expressed by the work of hands – divine creation and blessing anthropomorphised in the image of human (priestly) hands. Like so many others who imagine the work of tikkun olam in terms of hands and world (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and more – just Google “tikkun olam”!), my Sukkah’s Tikkun olam banner clearly reflects my commitment to working with my own hands to repair even a small corner of the world in which I live.

So how to “tikkun-ize” one’s needlework?

Who, What, When, and Where?

One might knit with other Jews, in a formal, synagogue-oriented group, or in a less formal knitting Havurah (“fellowship” group). “Knitzvah Corp” groups have sprung up all over the country. I’ve started a similarknitting group in my synagogue, the Rodeph Shalom Tikkun Knitters, which meets informally during Sunday morning religious school hours. In addition to using stash, we have a set of special Tikkun Knitters projects, hats and scarves made with Peace Fleece’s Baghdad Blue yarn (the purchase of which promotes peaceful collaboration between Israel’s Jews and Palestinians; more here). We plan to donate finished items to the local Jewish Family and Children’s Services, but some of us are knitting hats for the recent call from Afghans for Afghans and the Dulaan Project (so our tikkunknitting extends beyond the Jewish needy). The R.S. Tikkun Knitters will also be taking our knitting into the classrooms, to teach the children knitting as a “life tikkun skill”. I knit during Shabbat morning Torah study, often working on one of the group’s Peace Fleece projects. There’s a lively debate going on in Ravelry’s Jewish Fiberaholic group about knitting during services.

It’s also possible to look to the Jewish calendar as a guide: don’t knit on Shabbat (for traditionally observant knitters), or knit certain kinds of projects only on Shabbat (my tikkunknitting approach), or knit for “Jewish time”, the liturgical and festive life of the tradition. So, to the “what” to knit …

What?

If I am not for myself, who will be? And if I am only for myself, what am ‘I’? And if not now, when? Hillel, Pirkei Avot 1:14

What to make is easy … of course charity knitting comes quickly to mind, which means hats and scarves for children and adults, or blankets and booties, all depending on the needs of the agency that will receive the items. Ritual garments, such as kippot (yarmulkes) for Bnai Mitzvot students or tallit (prayer shawls) for loved ones, are obvious choices; a quick look through the internet or Ravelry’s discussions shows the extent to which Jewish knitters are busy making these ritual garments. My “to do” list includes knitting up a trio of Bokhara kippot for my menfolk (either felted or stranded colorwork).

The holidays are particularly inspiring for me. For Sukkot this year I knitted a harvest basket of fruits and vegetables. (Try these links for more photos, discussion and patterns).

Hanukkah is nearly here, and I’ve been working on a set of the holiday’s symbols: a dreidel and gelt (usually Chocolate coins), and a Hanukkiah – or menorah – complete with knitted candles. The dreidel has just come off the needles, and spins like a dream. Links to more photos, discussion and a pattern will be available soon.

Hanukkah foods are a special treat: my knitted latkes (with sour cream and applesauce!) and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts) are nearly ready to share.

So my approach to making my needlework more Jewish includes both “serious” and “playful” elements. Tikkunnknitting is integrating the wisdom of the past with all aspects of one’s life, committing one’s energy to the work of repairing the brokenness of our world, and saving a bit for one’s own repair, and joy, as well.

4 December 2007 Pattern Update!

Hanukkah has arrived, and you’ll find my illustrated pattern for the TikkunKnits Dreidel here.

Have some dreidel fun! And knit for peace.

]]> http://tikkunknits.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/the-sukkah-small-dreams-can-come-true/ Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:34:59 +0000 tikkunknitter http://tikkunknits.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/the-sukkah-small-dreams-can-come-true/ I dreamed of a painted sukkah, of a “green” sukkah, of a harvest of knitted fruits and vegetables … I dreamed of a space in which community might happen, a space in which the work of helping to make peace might be discussed, planned, organized. I think my dream has come true.

The paint dried Monday night, the lacquer dried Tuesday, and the sukkah was erected on Wednesday – here’s the garden (before, and) after:

Time has been short, but our decorations include not only the harvest basket bursting with knitted fruit and vegetables,

but also a set of prayer flags – time has been short, but not so short that I could not paint, bead, glitter and mirror a set of banners for tikkun olam (repair of the world), shalom (peace), etrog and lulav (Sukkot’s principal symbols), sovlanot (tolerance), tzedek tzedek tirdof (“justice, justice shall you pursue”), and priestly blessings (with watching hamsa eyes):

(there are plenty more photos of the process here if you are interested).

Family dinners inaugurated the sukkah on Thursday and Friday nights, long-time neighbors shared a very festive Shabbat dinner with us on Friday. This afternoon community happened in our sukkah, peace was discussed and plans made to pursue it – we were honored by consecutive visits from groups from the local chapter of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom and the Torah study group of Congregation Rodeph Shalom.

To seriously try to live in the sukkah is to make contact with the meaning of Sukkot … to eat one’s daily meals in the sukkah (consistently carrying out the trays of mugs, plates, glasses, casseroles, for morning coffee on damp seats, lunch in the heat of day, dinner in the cool of evening – always battling mosquitos!), and to find other ways to spend time there (answering email, listening to the news, or squirrels battling for nuts, or even neighbors’ air conditioners), is to expose oneself (even in these small ways) to the basic risks of living beyond the usual comforts, to remind oneself of the blessings of shelter, food, protection from the elements. And also to revel in the company of loved ones, neighbors, and colleagues. We couldn’t agree more with Rob Eshman (editor of the LA Jewish Journal) that, like the annual Burning Man festival in the desert of Nevada, Sukkot and the sukkah is something that is best understood when experienced personally and fully (his essay can be read here).

So as we gazed on our painted etrogs, lulavs and pomegranates, and fondled the knitted versions, we experienced, in our own way, the sweet scent of etrog, the dry rattle of the waving lulav, and the challenges of wilderness and exposure. There’s a lot to be said for experience tent camping, a vivid imagination, and a few dreams.

Update Oct 1st, 2007

Embrace the Treyf: a sukkot reality check

With the waning excitement prompted by getting the painted sukkah up and the recent parade of visitors, there’s time for our us to balance the “radical joy” we’ve experienced in our sukkah with the larger world in which it is situated (our new acquaintance with Radical Torah – has certainly put a new spin on our thinking – there’s link on the sidebar now).

In these final days of Sukkot, we’ll use the sukkah as an opportunity to reflect on the bounty not afforded so many others less fortunate than our family. Having an entire week to observe the festival – in our own backyard, rather than a single, brief visit to Rodeph Shalom’s sukkah – affords us the chance to extend the work of the high holidays. We are persuaded by this approach to the work of Sukkot – the experience of the beauty of the etrog, and the continuation of the work of making one’s life beautiful (in the light of Torah) begun during the Days of Awe (described so eloquently in a recent essay in JudaicaJournal).

So in addition to the physically beautiful banners we already have up in the sukkah, we’ll probably be adding a couple of additional ones – simple, direct, Torah-beautiful banners, without paint, shine, glitter – that raise the issues of tikkun olam with greater specificity. We might start with one of the placards put into circulation by Jewish Women Watching, from their “Embrace the Treyf” campaign. These placards challenge us to evaluate our commitment to eliminate human rights violations,

or to ameliorate urban homelessness and hunger, juxtaposing the Jewish community’s habitatat-for-humanity projects in New Orleans with its silence regarding the displacement of the urban poor by gentrification, or Mitzvah Day soup kitchen duty with serious commitment to insuring a fair distribution of community resources that would enable the hungry to feed themselves.

Sharing our sukkah with these posters would not occur without mixed feelings. We appreciate the focus the JWW posters bring to the issue of our commitment to social justice issues. The Embrace the Treyf campaign seems a fair comment on some significant blind spots in the Jewish community’s approach to tikkun olam in general. But like others (here for instance, describing the campaign as “both appropriately insightful and incite-full”), we are concerned that the campaign will ultimately prove to be more divisive than productive because it denigrates or overlooks the valuable efforts of many to combat particular cases of human rights violations, racism, and urban poverty, such as the

“Noah’s Ark in Jerusalem” challenge to restrictions on the immigration of refugees of Darfur to Israel (image source here), or the notable work of Rabbi Michael Holzman of Congregation Rodeph Shalom, Philadelphia, whose work with the synagogue’s social action committee has included the creation of a congregation-funded savings fund program for women in a North Philadelphia homeless shelter. These examples do not negate the important message of the Kosher-Treyf campaign, but we wonder if tikkun olam and community would be better served by giving attention to some of the most progressive efforts to combat both racism and urban poverty at home, and human rights and global poverty abroad.

Cooking with the highest heat risks burning the food, depriving ourselves of an opportunity to dine together.

Oct 30th, 2007

Our sukkah is safely packed and stored, but it’s meaning continues to resonate in our lives. This morning I stumbled across an NIF article, “Sukkot and a ‘Precarious Roof’: The Shame of Arab Housing in Israel”. The ordeal of the Arab-Israeli A.R. family and their difficult choice – to destroy their home themselves rather than submit their children to the advance of Israeli bulldozers – is profoundly moving. For my family, Sukkot is not so distant a memory that we cannot (in the words of the author of the NIF essay),

give some thought to the thousands of Arab Israeli citizens whose homes are essentially as precarious and fragile as our temporary sukkot. The issue is not easy, rooted as it is in decades of Israeli government policy, uneasy relations between Israeli Jews and Arabs and cultural traditions that clash with modern planning and administration. But as Mr. A.R’s story reminds us, Israel’s more than one million Arab citizens live a reality quite different from that of their Jewish neighbors, a reality that threatens Israel’s long-term viability as a democratic state.

Jewish tradition clearly prohibits wasteful consumption of resources, which violates the mitzvah (duty) of Bal tashchit (“Do not destroy”), Deuteronomy 20: 19-20. No doubt about it, this is a serious challenge to many of us interested in needle arts. We frequently have far too much of the stuff of needlework. Thinking through how to meet one’s duty not to consume wastefully, but also meet one’s desire to explore beautiful fibers, create remarkable gifts for dear ones, and nurture ourselves, leads to a few simple ideas:

UFO’s . Unfinished knitting projects (UFOs) litter many of our lives. To use what we have, thoroughly and without waste, means at the very least to finish projects. If we can’t bring ourselves to finish, then find another use for the materials. Many of us make the break from our UFO’s and rip (or “frog”) completely (like Jenny), others can’t bring themselves to do it (like hege).

Inspired by the spirit of tikkun, I recently “liberated” two long-neglected, nearly-completed adult sweaters into material for upcoming tzedakah (social action, or charity) projects. The navy Takhi tweed (sport-weight) cardigan for my husband, left to languish in the basement for a decade, was unceremoniously frogged and re-wound, and will find new life in many hats for Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Greater Philadelphia (all fibers accepted) and The Dulaan Project (wools), including this Zeebee-on-the-needles (inspired by Brooklyn Tweed’s tweedy version).

Stash reduction – use or donate. If you are anything like me, your stash of new yarns and the bits and pieces leftover from old (finished!) projects grows and grows. Unused, they render ordinary yarn consumption wasteful. Some have been motivated to sort out the stash into two piles: (1) those balls, skeins and hanks that will never find a way onto needles or hooks, and (2) those we plan (really, really) to work with, whether for ourselves or others. The tikkun task: to find a productive home for the first batch: give it to a friend, teach someone with it, or donate to any of the many organizations that accept contributions of yarn and needles, such as Warm Woolies (which provides volunteers with materials for handmade items for orphanages world-wide), and The Warm Hands Network. You can find additional information about contributions to “charity knitting” organizations on the web (try here, here, and here).

Having made a couple of passes through the many “knitting stations” throughout my home, I’ve turned up these for sorting!

My donation pile will go to the “R.S Tikkunknitters,” the social action knitting group at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, Philadelphia, for use in hats, scarves and slippers for donation to local homeless family shelters and the Dulaan project.

“Of all the commandments, peacemaking is the only one that we are required to rush after to achieve, as we learn: ‘Seek peace and pursue it.’ (ps. 34:15)” – Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 9:9

One who is able to protest against a wrong that is being done in his family, his city, his nation or the world and does not do so is held accountable for that wrong being done.” – Talmud Bavli Tractate Shabbat 54b

Confronting this blogspace feels something like approaching a skein of yarn, which waits to acquire form by its repetitive contact with my knitting needles; but past training and experience offers no repertoire of stitches or skills on which to draw. Nonetheless, my regard for the wisdom of tradition – and the increasing cacophony produced by local and global distress and conflicts, call for an optimistic (if unschooled) start.

One of the reasons for starting this website is the desire to fill the long-standing information gap regarding information about multi-cultural peace efforts in Israel. While we are bombarded by information about conflict between Jews and Palestinians, in Israel and in diaspora, little attention is given to the variety of productive encounters and collaborative projects between Palestinians and Jews in Israel, and outside it. This kind of information gives me hope for the future, and I’d like to know more about such activities. They encourage me, and I hope more information will encourage others also. I’ll begin by introducing a pair of friends whose commitment to peace and justice in this country and in Israel have inspired my leap into the blogosphere.

Cy and Lois Swartz have long exemplified the best of all ethical traditions (religious or secular) in their lifelong pursuit of social justice. In retirement, they have devoted themselves to the health and integrity of the greater-Philadelphia community in their many years of hospice work, their participation in efforts to secure a fair and objective Jewish press, and their efforts to combat racism and homophobia, inside and outside of the Jewish community.

Most recently, the Swartzes have rallied an interfaith fellowship in support of weekly public protests of official Israeli policies led by their non-profit organization, Bubbes and Zaydes for Peace in the Middle East. Their views frequently challenge the basic assumptions of many mainstream American Jews with respect to Israel, most importantly the taboo regarding public criticism of the policies and conduct of the Israeli government and military. Yet the Swartzes steadfastly pursue open, thoughtful, and respectful discussion of issues within the diverse members of their community, whether religious (Jews, Christians, Muslims) or secular, always with the goal of seeking, and contributing to the achievement of, peace and justice. This remarkable couple are the inspiration for going public with this website and its intended projects.

You can find plenty of information about Bubbes and Zaydes for Peace in the Middle East on its website. The Swartzes recently published a brief description of their work in the Newsletter of the Forum on Religion, Spirituality and Aging, Volume 15:4, pp. 4 & 6 (Winter 2003), which is available online and as a downloadable pdf. May their example inspire you to act on your beliefs.