AVIVA

The melody for the Hebrew part of this song was discovered by Aaron in a tune called “My Eyes, My Heart” by the Indian-Persian duo, Ghazal. It has become part of our Slichot repertoire. It is an honour to have their names and their exquisite melody included in our creation.

And what of the rest of the song? I have cherished a card given to me by my sister with a Maori proverb on it: “Turn your face to the sun...” While not a translation of the Hebrew liturgy, this phrase contains the same source of inspiration for me: an experience of returning and being renewed, a choice to continuously re-engage.

חדש ימינו כקדם

Chadesh yameinu k’kedem.

Renew our days as before.

Let the sun see you. Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall away.

Celebrating 60 years of Dr Marshall Wilensky: Chernick, A Wilensky, Lesk, Forster & Filion Families

Inspired by Psalm 130, this version of Eili is a sensual love song, concluding with a whispered

prayer: “My soul praises you. You are vast beyond imagination.” I like imagining my own translation

of the verse: ‘Oh Divine, how you have grown up, how we have grown up together.’ Before wrapping myself in my talit (prayer shawl),

I say these words with both translations in mind.

The Psalmist wrote about cries of supplication. In this moment, however, the yearning

has subsided and cries of supplication are transformed into words of praise and awe.

אלי, אלי, קראתיך יהשמעה בקולי

Eili, k’raticha ya. Sheem’a v’koli.

My El. I call to you, hear my voice.

In honour of Janie Kim and all thosewho listen and see to help others heal and grow.

Growing up, we sang a lovely melody to this exquisite poem welcoming Shabbat but a dear friend suggested a new version of this tune was

in order. During a trip to Namibia in 2011, this melody came to me. There, in the 40 degree

weather, with the syllables ‘hey’ and ‘ho’, I had no idea that this was to be my new framing for Chaim

Nachman Bialik’s poem. This melody now fills our home as we gather on Friday nights around the Shabbat table.

בואי כלההחמה מראש האילנות נסתלקה

בואו ונצא לקראת שבת המלכההנה היא יורדת הקדושה הברוכהועמה מלאכים צבא שלום ומנוחה

Hachamah meirosh ha’ilanot nistalkah,bo’u v’neitzei likrat Shabbat hamalkah.

Hineh hi yoredet hak’doshah hab’ruchah,v’imah malachim tz’va shalom um’nuchah.

The sun from above the treetops has faded, won’t you come with me to greet the Sabbath Queen.

Here she descends, the holy one, the blessed one, and with her an army of peaceful messengers.

Remembering Shirley Gonshor in song, Bride of every Shabbes. Open home and arms always, “Bo’u - come all”

— Sara & Irwin Tauben

This tune was inspired originally by the melody of Reb Shlomo Carlebach z”l. During the intensive rehearsal process, an improvisation on his melody led us into this surprising sonic world of piano, udu and voice.

The content is challenging. During the Days of Awe around the Jewish New Year, I find myself wanting to run through the streets yelling, “If the term ‘repentance’ doesn’t speak to you, you are not alone.” I prefer ‘returning.’ Returning happens after turning away; we can go away but we can always return.

השיבנו אדני אליך ונשובהחדש ימינו כקדם

Hashiveinu adonai eylecha, v’nashuva,chadesh yameinu k’kedem.

Turn us to you and we will return.

Celebrating 70 years of Dr Alan Wilensky:Chernick, M Wilensky, Lesk,

Forster & Filion Families

לכה דודי לקראת כלהפני שבת נקבלה

בואי בשלום עטרת בעלהגם בשמחה ובצהלהתוך אמוני עם סגלהבואי כלה בואי כלה

L’cha dodi likrat kalah,p’nei Shabbat n’kabelah.

Boi v’shalom ateret ba’alah,gam b’simcha u’ vetzoholah,

toch emunei am segulah,bo’i chalah, bo’i chalah.

Come, my beloved, to greet the bride, to welcome the Shabbat as she appears.Come in peace, crown jewel of creation,

come in joyfulness and in song, each of us a link in this chain of blessing.

Come bride, come bride.

For Ted Overton — Come, my beloved husband, and listen to an angel sing my unending love for you. — Julia Gluck

The most intimate relationship we have is the one we have with our breath. It is the only constant. It is ruach, spirit, divinity. We open our mouths to inhale, and as my teacher Fides says, we collaborate with air and spirit. Then, we allow sound to ride on this wondrous breath. This is the beginning of our song. This segment from Psalm 95 is one of many that call on us to sing out, not to whisper but to sing with joy, to trumpet and to shriek. I love this! It is a call to make our voices heard.

לכו נרננה לאדני

L’chu n’ran’na l’Adonai.

Let us sing with joy to the Divine.

With much gratitude to the Chernick / Forster / Filion families. Thank you

for being my ‘US’ — xo AViG

In this sacred and spacious melody, Rabbi Shefa has captured the depth of meaning in the concept of “dwelling within.” Only since playing with this melody, have I come to understand this passage,

which I chanted my whole life. When we are dwelling deeply within, it is there where we encounter the

Divine who was, in fact, there all along.

Rabbi Shefa’s melodies of prayer continue to be a source of deep comfort and inspiration to so many.

אשרי ישבי ביתך עוד יהללוך

Ashrei yoshvei veitecha od y’halelucha.

When we dwell within, we hear ourselves praising all along.

In memory of Lieba Lesk and all those who are with me as I wrap myself

in my talit and prepare to sing.

What would it sound like if we all opened our mouths and sang, 'Shalom.'? I hear a flock of voices, each with its own unique timbre, intention and character, each making the collective voice more resonant. I have been learning from friends, study partners and music collaborators that the way we activate peace in this world is by allowing ourselves to be heard and to be seen and, in turn, by listening and really looking. When we are no longer 'the other’ to each other, we can become what we really have been all along, unique voices in the universal choir.

השכיבנו אדני אלהינו לשלום והעמידנו מלכנו לחיים

ופרוס עלינו סכת שלומך

Hashkiveinu Adonai Eloheinu l’shalomv’ha’amideinu malkeinu l’chaim. Ufros aleinu sukkat sh’lomecha.

Let us lie down in peace and wake up to life. Shelter us in the canopy of your peace.

z”l – In memory of Rachelle Benezra Chertkow and David Chertkow, from their daughter Carol Herbert

My middle name is Gila, which means Joy. Na-gila — let us rejoice! — is one of the

words in this phrase from Psalm 118. In reality, remembering to rejoice each

day is a tall order. And so, we can practice and remind each other, daily saying,

‘This is the day!’ Then one day, we may find we are living joyfully. Not a passing, flirtatious

happiness, but a deep, sustainable and knowable joy that contains much life within.

זה היום עשה יהנגילה ונשמחה בו

Zeh hayom asah Yah nagila v’nism’cha vo.

This is the day the Divine has made, let us rejoice in it!

In memory of Travis C. Hudson, son, brother, friend. We’re honoured to have been a part of your life.

Produced by Aviva Chernick and Chris Gartner

Recording: Jason LaPrade at Crystal Clear SoundEditing: Chris GartnerMixing: Chris Gartner and Taras PetrykMastering: Taras Petryk at serpentONE Productions

Additional recordings: Ernie Tollar’s recordings for all tunes at Welcome to the Real World Studios; Aaron Lightstone’s recordings on Boi Kalah, Chadesh Yameinu, and Hashkiveinu at Down the Road Studio; Je� rey Wilson’s parts for Boi Kalah at Stairtop Studio; Chris Gartner’s bass at Redwood Sound; Aviva’s vocals for Boi Kalah and Zeh Hayom and Sundar’s vocals for Ashrei in The Kitchen

Art Director: Carlos Gouveia — cgmultimedia.caDesign: Carlos Gouveia and Aviva ChernickPhotos: Aviva Chernick and Carlos GouveiaProduction Consultant: Evelyn TaubenTranslation Consultant: Dr. Aubrey GlazerTransliteration / Hebrew Consultant: Michael Rubin

Executive Producer: Aviva Chernick

This recording was generously supported by theOntario Arts Council.

WWW.AVIVACHERNICK.COM

1. EILI by Aviva Chernick, Joel Schwartz, and Aaron LightstoneArranged with Chris GartnerVocals: Aviva Chernick, Kahal ChoirElectric Guitar: Joel SchwartzOud: Aaron LightstoneXaphoon: Ernie Tollar Tonbak: Naghmeh Farahmand

2. CHADESH YAMEINU by Shujaat Husain Khan and Kayhan Kalhor © 2012 Soroud Music (ASCAP). All rights administered by Modern Works Music Publishing.Arrangement by Aviva Chernick, Chris Gartner, and Aaron LightstoneVocals: Aviva Chernick and Daniela GesundheitElectric Guitar: Joel SchwartzAcoustic Guitar: Joshua Skye EngelSaz: Aaron LightstoneBansuri: Ernie TollarDoumbek, Bell, Daf: Rakesh TewariPercussion: Chris Gartner

3. BO’I KALAH by Aviva ChernickArranged by Aviva Chernick, Chris Gartner,and Joel SchwartzVocals: Aviva Chernick, Rosemary Phelan, Kahal ChoirResonator Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Tenor Banjo: Joel SchwartzBansuri: Ernie TollarSitar: Aaron LightstoneBass: Chris GartnerDaf: Naghmeh FarahmandKalimba, Shakers, Scrapers, Spoons, Daul, Tambourine, Tongue Drum: Je� rey WilsonBass: Chris Gartner

4. L’CHA DODI by Aviva ChernickArranged by Aviva Chernick and Chris GartnerTranslation by Aviva Chernick and Dr. Aubrey GlazerVocals: Aviva ChernickBansuri, Nay: Ernie TollarSteel String Guitar: Joshua Skye EngelTabla: Rakesh TewariBass: Chris Gartner

5. HASHIVEINU (TURNING AND RETURNING) by Aviva Chernick, Chris Gartner, Rakesh Tewari and Ernie Tollar, with a composition by Reb Shlomo CarlebachVocals: Aviva ChernickPiano, Bass Flute: Ernie TollarUdu, Percussion: Rakesh Tewari

6. L’CHU N’RAN’NA by Aviva ChernickArrangement by Aviva Chernick, Aaron Lightstone, and Joel SchwartzVocals: Aviva Chernick, Kahal ChoirResonator Guitar: Joel SchwartzOud: Aaron LightstoneXaphoon, Nay: Ernie TollarTabla, Agogos: Rakesh Tewari

7. ASHREIby Rabbi Shefa Gold — www.rabbishefagold.comArranged by Aviva Chernick, Chris Gartner, and Joel SchwartzTranslation by Aviva Chernick and Dr. Aubrey GlazerVocals: Aviva Chernick, Sundar Viswanathan, and David WallElectric Guitar: Joel Schwartz

8. ZEH HAYOM by Aviva ChernickArranged by Aviva Chernick, Chris Gartner, Aaron Lightstone, and Joel SchwartzVocals: Aviva Chernick, Daniela Gesundheit, and David Wall Electric Guitar: Joel SchwartzUdu, Djembe, Triangle, Tambourine: Rakesh TewariCustom Chromatic Silver Nay, Bass fl ute: Ernie TollarBass: Chris Gartner

9. HASHKIVEINU by Aviva Chernick and Ernie TollarArranged by Aviva Chernick and Chris GartnerVocals: Aviva Chernick, Maryem Tollar, Mark Weinstock, and Sundar ViswanathanElectric Guitar: Joel SchwartzNay: Ernie TollarOud: Aaron LightstoneBendir: Naghmeh FarahmandBass: Chris Gartner

All songs except 2, 7 ℗ & © 2013 Aviva Chernick (SOCAN). All rights reserved.

Much gratitude to the many hosts of this project who encouraged its development: Rabbi Debra Landsberg, Randi and Howard from

Temple Emanu-El who hosted the very first Slichot service and where the initial rehearsals were held; Rabbi Karen Thomashow,

Rabbi Yael Splansky, Rabbi John Moscowitz and all our congregants at Shabbat Fusion at Holy Blossom Temple where much of this

music was created; Rabbi Stephen Wise and all my dear congregants at Sha’arei Beth El Congregation in Oakville; Eric Stein and the Ashkenaz Foundation; Gayanne Wise, Will Robertson and the

choir at Congregation Beit Haverim in Atlanta; Craig Taubman and Rachel at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles; all the congregants

throughout Toronto and across North America with whom I have had the pleasure to develop and pray/play this music.

Special thanks to Dr. Aubrey Glazer, Rabbi Miriam Margles,Michael Rubin, Lindi Rivers, Alison Pick, Beryl Chernick, Fides Krucker, Deanna Yerichuk, Sarah Hopen, Lise Vachon, Janie Kim, Lucie, and all friends, teachers and guides who answered questions deep and light.

Thank you to those who opened their homes for music making: Rosemary, Leah, Olivia, and Dianna. Thank you also to Michael

Murray at the Ontario Arts Council, to Lisa Weitz from LW Communications and to Bandana Singh and MineOwn Media.

Endless thanks to each and every song sponsor. You are the angels of this labour of love: Julia Gluck, Carol Herbert, Avigayil Skinner, Sara and Irwin Tauben,

and to the Chernick, A. Wilensky, M. Wilensky, Lesk, Forster & Filion families. And to the special patrons: Lili and Mitchel Smith, Erika Batdorf,

Rabbi Miriam Margles, and Sarah Hopen and STAR Company.

I am grateful to all the instrumentalists: Aaron, Joel, Ernie, Rakesh, Josh, Naghmeh, Chris and Jeffrey; to my superb singing partners: Sundar, Daniela, Maryem, David, Rosemary, Miriam, Mark and Annie. And to Gurpreet Chana, a profound musical soul mate and an early motivator to create the album.

And to — Aaron Lightstone: my very first partner and musical sibling in creating music for prayer over the past ten years; Joel Schwartz: my most tenacious new partner in detail and musical direction; Evelyn Tauben: who held the space so expertly and kept the work moving at ‘headquarters;’ Jason LaPrade: my partner in beginning and recording the finest of tones, all done with big heart and much soul; Taras Petryk: the most generous, fun, and fine forensics specialist; Chris Gartner: mentor in artistic growth who led with tremendous patience and readily available analogies. I have learned a great deal from each one of you and for this I am grateful.

And to all of those friends and family who held my hand — my Mom and Dad and all chosen family including the Shabbat gang and all those little people for whom I delight so in being Doda and Godmother.

Acharon, acharon chaviv. And now, how do I thank my beloved? Carlos, the playful, the brave, the mensch — you have made coming home as it should be.