Well, it's newsletter time again. And how do we know it's newsletter time? Because I say it is, that's how.
I promise that this newsletter will be sent out at irregular, unpredictable intervals.
I'm Noah Budin and I approved this newsletter.
Happy New Year. Can you believe that it's 2008 already?! Actually, I just don't get it when people say stuff like that. And I don't get even more when people answer with "No." What, it should be some other year? Or the Earth should slow down a little in its rotation? You want us to go flying off onto space? Maybe it should still be 1963? If there's one thing I've learned in my 47 years, 7 months and 27 days on this planet, it's that time plods along just as ever did and ever will. So don't be surprised by the calendar. (By the way, this was just one big, long hint that my birthday is May 8th. Start planning now.)
So, I spent Chanukah in Connecticut, in and around the New London area, to be exact. I was the Artist-in-Residence for the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut and I did a lot of stuff (you can see my complete schedule in the calendar archive and/or newsletter archive). On the Sunday of that weekend I was to perform a community concert and have the Day School and Religious School kids sing some songs with me (see picture below). On Friday afternoon I had sessions with the Day School to teach them the songs, and also on Sunday morning with the Religious School. On Thursday while driving from Cleveland to Connecticut, I had sketched out the chorus and part of a verse to a song I'd been thinking about writing for a couple of weeks. On Friday morning, I sat down with the guitar in my hotel room and solidified the chorus. And on Friday afternoon, I taught it to the kids, telling them that on Sunday they would be singing the world premier of a new song. The only problem was, I hadn't written it yet.
On Sunday morning I finished the song, taught it to the kids, and performed it in concert. It's called "A Little Bit of Light" and I'd love to sing it in a venue near you.
Well, as Brittany Spears once said, "Oops, I did it again." (insert your own Brittany Spears joke here) I don't do it very often, but I did it this time. I double booked myself. If I could be in two cities at once, I surely would. I was supposed to be involved with - as a soloist in the service, a performer, and, more importantly, as a guest and witness to this grand event - our dear friend's bat miztvah. That is, the bat mitzvah of Isabelle, the second child in this family of four children. We spend most Shabbat evenings together and we've all been working on and planning this bat mitzvah for a long time. well, not so much me, but the family has, and I was going to be a part of it. I just didn't get it onto enough of my calendars. So, I send my heartfelt apologies out to Leon, Debbie, Heather, Joram, Caleb and most of all Isabelle. I'll make it up to you...somehow. But, let me tell you where I'm going to be instead...
On January 25, 26 and 27 I'll be in Milwaukee, WI.This is unlike any other gig I've ever done, and I was so moved and honored when I was contacted about it. I have no words to adequately describe it, so, with her permission, I'm sharing parts of the email that Marge Eiseman sent out inviting people to the event. Baki was her son. He was twelve.
My friends,
Attached is an invitation to come be part of community
as we acknowledge that three years have passed since
that awful day that Baki died.
Someone just asked me if I was "over it" -- and that
was just the strangest thought. At best, I can say we
have adjusted. I think the fact that we get up every
day and go through our lives, still trying to be kind
and creative and caring about each other is enough.
So, we're plowing forward, but as our tradition
teaches us, we notice the markers along the way.
Please find time that weekend to join us -- if you
can, bring your family for the pot-luck dinner and
concert on Friday night. Maybe Saturday night will be
more your speed -- whatever, just drop by to say hi.
One of Baki's favorite Jewish CDs was "Halleluyah Land"
by Noah Budin. It is our pleasure to share Noah with our
community during this weekend.
I'm sure you'll enjoy Noah Budin's music -- he's
fantastic! I think he reaches a spiritual level
without being preachy. Check his website,
noahbudin.com for a quick listen.
Thank you, Marge, for the kind words, but also for the privilege to be a part of this, and for allowing me the opportunity to perform a mitzvah of the highest order, as it is to honor those who have gone before us.
This really is what I mean when I say, "...this is not my sole means of income, but my soul means of income."
My turn in the play "Brooklyn Boy" is coming up soon and we'll probably cover that a bit more in the next newsletter. And the "Rock My Soul Shabbat" CD from The Temple - Tifereth Israel is due out in February. I'm featured on it along with the incomparable Cantor Kathy Sebo and a fine band of musicians. We'll deal with that next time, too.
There's a new page on the website. If you want to see where I've been (and who wouldn't?) check out the Calendar Archive page.
Have a terrific and music filled 2008!
By the way, if you see I'm going to be in your area and would like to schedule a House Concert, drop me a line and we'll see what we can work out!
To contact Noah about scheduling an event:
216-403-0384
or
216-360-0381
or
Email Noah at noah@noahbudin.com
Here I am in Connecticut, looking lost amidst a vast sea of children. Look to the far right...the kid with the Yankees shirt...I didn't invite him. Well, he was OK. It was the shirt I had a problem with.
And here I am in Evergreen, CO, standing outside of Congregation Beth Evergreen with Robbi Sherwin, Steve Brodsky (two thirds of Sababa), and my host for the week Allan Rubin.
Here's my dog George. George is a female. She comes to work with me every day and makes a lot of people happy. George just got a write-up in the Cleveland Jewish News, My mother is kvelling over her granddog.
This is George wearing a hat. It was her birthday. She hates wearing hats and ripped it off as soon as I snapped the photo.
Send this email to everyone in your address book and tell them to sign up now. Pretty please?
Ways to Get Noah's Music!
My music is now available for sale, as whole CDs and/or individual song digital downloads at these fine sites:
If a friend forwarded this email to you, and you would like to receive your own copy, click here and enter your email address in the subscription area on the right side of the page
To contact Noah, just email him at noah@noahbudin.com