View from the Outside

This past weekend I was invited to lead a pre-Shabbat song session at Summer JAM. I showed up Friday evening just on time, anxious and slightly sweaty from running almost a mile to Hillel with my guitar on my back. (DC humidity has no equal!) Soon all the JAMers arrived at Hillel, and we started our pre-Shabbat programming with two moving stories told by Getzel and Sam. Next it was my turn. I looked nervously at my list of songs and hoped that someone (or two, or three) would sing along.

As soon as I launched into the first chord of Im Tirtzu, I knew everything would be just fine. The energy in the room was huge. We sped through the ten songs, and I think the combination of up-tempo dance-y songs and slower, more reflective songs was just perfect. It looked like everyone was having a great time--including me! All too soon the song session was over and everyone went downstairs for candle-lighting.

After that it was back upstairs for services. The Shabbat Committee put together a very nice service that everyone attended as one community, which created a great feeling of togetherness. I think the highlight for me was the dancing during Mizmor L'David--though then again, the psalms during Kabbalat Shabbat are always my favorite! I also enjoyed Aviva's inspiring interpretation of L'cha Dodi, which talked about GD's manifestation across our world, time, and space.

Next up, of course, was dinner. As a PANIM employee I am a huge fan of our caterer's chicken and potatoes dinner--and lucky for me, that is just what I got. I chatted with several JAMers over dinner, including one who knows my little brother! I even received a Shabbat-o-gram through a fundraiser JAM does to raise money for the Save Darfur Coalition. I felt very included in the group thanks to the JAMers' collective friendliness (and kind words about song session!). Thanks JAM for a lovely Shabbat. I'm looking forward to seeing both students and staff again soon!

Megan B. (PANIM staff member from Athens, GA)