About Me

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Joy Serves G*d in Joy as a passionate performing percussionist, poet, publisher, photographer, publicist, sound healer, spiritual guide, artist, gardener and Gemini. "Ivdu Et Hashem B'Simcha" -Psalm 100:2 ....... Joy Krauthammer, active in the Jewish Renewal, Feminist, and neo-Chasidic worlds for over three decades, kabbalistically leads Jewish women's life-cycle rituals. ... Workshops, and Bands are available for all Shuls, Sisterhoods, Rosh Chodeshes, Retreats, Concerts, Conferences & Festivals. ... My kavanah/intention is that my creative expressive gifts are inspirational, uplifting and joyous. In gratitude, I love doing mitzvot/good deeds, and connecting people in joy. In the zechut/merit of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt'l, I mamash love to help make our universe a smaller world, one REVEALING more spiritual consciousness, connection, compassion, and chesed/lovingkindness; to make visible the Face of the Divine... VIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE and enjoy all offerings.... For BOOKINGS write: joyofwisdom1 at gmail.com, leave a COMMENT below, or call me. ... "Don't Postpone Joy" bear photo montage by Joy. Click to enlarge. BlesSings, Joy

Ruach HaAretz, Oregon, Chevre

All photos/materials in sites by Joy Krauthammer are under copyright by © Joy Krauthammer.
Permission by Joy Krauthammer, needed to copy/reprint/use. Request in Comments, FB, or contact me personally. 

July 2014

Welcome to this album week filled with Jewish Renewal chevre, G*d's beauty, and our joy and mourning. 
Our beloved Aleph founder, Reb Zalman Hiyyah Schachter-Shalomi, z"l, died this week, July 3, 2014, releasing his body, and returning Home.  His 'green' funeral was meaningfullly held on July 4th, Independence Day. 
Together, 150 of us sat Shiva, said Kaddish for the week, and comforted each other.
May Reb Zalman's memory be for blesSings. Baruch Dayan haEmet.

There is another FB Oregon album (in process) filled with green scenery. (Soon also to be in my site.)

For Ruach HaAretz, Joy Krauthammer arrives in Canby, Oregon and at a dahlia farm. 
Thanks Pinchas Spring © for the hour's joy. 7.7.2014

The Lodge Facing Molalla River
Ruach HaAretz, Canby Grove, Oregon  July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer
Alan & Andalin Bachman
wonderful musicians played all week at
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
Grateful I met them here in this Lodge room as soon as I arrived.
Photos of Ukraine by Shonna Husbands-Hankin on display all week in Lodge.
© Joy Krauthammer 

Kirtan women drummers
Basya Schechter (Pharoah's Daughter) and Jessie Roemer. 
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon  July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Yes, I'm partial to WOMEN DRUMMERS:
http://www.timbrelsofjoy.blogspot.com/


Joy Krauthammer and Patti DeWitz 
In our 'whites' preparing for Shabbat. 
Ruach HaAretz, Oregon
Highlight during retreat week was meeting Patti from nearby Portland. I was blessed to have Patti as new friend and one of my room mates (along with rabbinic students Mem and Laurie). 
This was a new, meaningful and loving experience serving as Patti's eyes, as she is blind. I was mostly looking down for obstacles, i.e. steps, declines, rocks, chairs, and out for people and doors. There were no straight paths to walk here (except on the meal lines), and instinctively, along with her long white cane, I became a "good guide". One time I was smiling so hard, I made Patti touch/feel my smile. She was patient with me.
200 year old Cedar and Fir trees behind us, blue hydrangeas next to us, and classroom behind us. 

Should have told Patti that I was wearing my favorite PURPLE Birkenstocks?
Friends: Marty, Aryae, Wendy, Joy
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon.
© Janice Rubin






















CA Joy with NY cousin Jade/Netanya/Nicole
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon 2014


Joy Krauthammer and Marcia Brooks
Ruach HaAretz, Oregon, July 13, 2014
friends since 1993 Aleph - Alliance for Jewish Renewal Kallah,
when Marcia was Kallah director and Joy volunteered.

© Judith Hankin 
Cantor Yosi Weintraub. PEACE, SHALOM, SALEM
Ruach HaAretz, Oregon
Frst met Joseph on Reb Aryeh's, z"l, tour to the Holy Land.
Yosi's holding his little Siddur from Israel.

© Joy Krauthammer

Marcia Brooks and Judith Hankin
Ruach HaAretz, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer
Netilat Yadayim blesSing
© Joy Krauthammer 

Rabbi Elliot Ginsberg 
Love being able to study with favorite joyous rabbis
at Aleph retreats for two decades! 

Ruach HaAretz, Oregon, July 2014
First met Reb Elliot at Elat Chayyim 1994.
© Joy Krauthammer



Smoky bonfire snuffed out near our dining tables.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer


Bill Dolman. T-Shirt, Ruach HaAretz
"Duct Tape is like the force. It has a light side and a dark side,
and it holds the universe together.

© Joy Krauthammer


5 Davids! 
 L>R: David Curiel, David Aladjem, David Brown, David Abramowitz, David Evan Markus. 
Where are David Kushner and David Rafsky?
David Brown became co-Director, Aleph
Ruach HaAretz, Canby Grove, Oregon, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer
 




Joy of a chocolate chip cookie burger.
Loved the marionberries on last day, 
fruit salad, pancakes, brownie, carrot cake,
and especially salmon for Shabbat.

Ruach HaAretz, Oregon, July 9, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer
Chef Alan, last lunch July 2014
with yummiest wild-caught salmon
Ruach HaAretz, Canby Grove, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer
 

Closing Ceremony, July 13, 2-14, Panorama in  Mt. Hood
Ruach HaAretz, Canby Grove, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Stephanie/Tivona Reith & Henry, closing ceremony
Happy Birthday Tivona.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon July 13, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Rabbi Burt Jacobson during Shiva week, sharing Reb Zalman's, z"l, 
teachings on Baal Shem Tov. Overflow crowd into the hallway.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon July 9, 2014
(I wrote to poster board.)
© Joy Krauthammer
Rabbis Shefa Gold, Diane Elliot, Leah Novick, Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin, Elliot Ginsburg.
Sitting around the campfire.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Rabbis Nadya Gross and Daniel Siegel. July 2014
Rabbis Daniel and Hanna Tiferet Siegel teach "Kol HaKavod",
and I loved being in their class.
First Kallah retreat time, 1993, for me, a magical blesSing when I was first in Hanna Tiferet's class.

Ruach Ha'Aretz - ALEPH's Mobile Retreat Center 
© Joy Krauthammer

Reb Elliot Ginsburg
back to us
teaches "Nature, or the Skin of God: Landscapes of the Holy in Jewish Mystical Tradition." 
LOVED Reb Elliot's class also held by the river. July 9, 2014
with Pinchas, Yosi, Avraham, Sandy, Chava, and many more...
© Joy Krauthammer


Avot D'rabi Natan 8:
How does one acquire a friend? By eating together, reading together, studying together, sleeping together, and revealing one’s secrets: both Torah secrets and everyday secrets. 

Reb Elliot Ginsburg
teaches "Nature, or the Skin of God: Landscapes of the Holy in Jewish Mystical Tradition." 
LOVED Reb Elliot's class also by the river. July 9, 2014
with Pinchas, Yosi, Avraham, Sandy, Chava, and many more...
© Joy Krauthammer

Around the bonfire. Ruach HaAretz, Oregon, July 2014
I recognize Tivona, Ellen & R. Wayne, and Miriam in back.
© Joy Krauthammer

Us campers around the campfire 
and two women drummers.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Ruach HaAretz, Oregon, July 2014 
BONFIRE surrounded by us old hippies (Baby Boomers), before we got up and danced in a circle, and ate graham crackers and chocolate in the dark. Couldn't find kosher marshmallows... 
150 of us Renewal Jews together during Reb Zalman's, z"l, Shiva week. May his memory be for a blesSing.
© Joy Krauthammer

Beaded Kipa
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer


Chevre prays in morning. 
Morning meditation with Aryae Coopersmith. 
Aryae always posts the loveliest photos of nature with his poems,
so thought I'd catch him for him.

Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Davvenen by the Molalla River.
As the morning moved on,
the sun light on grass also moved through the trees.

Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Molalla River
The Molalla River is a 50-mile (80 km) tributary of the Willamette River.
As the morning moved on, the sun light on grass also moved through the trees.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Davvenen by the Molalla River
As the morning moved on, the sun light on grass also moved through the trees.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Morning meditation on Molalla River with Aryae Coopersmith
The Molalla River is a 50-mile (80 km) tributary of the Willamette River.
Aryae always posts the loveliest photos of nature with his poems, so thought I'd witness him for him.
Ruach HaAretz, Oregon. July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Ripples
So inspired that this inspired woman could raise her garment 
and dip her toes more into the Molalla River and create beautiful ripples. 
The Molalla River is a 50-mile (80 km) tributary of the Willamette River.
Ruach HaAretz, Oregon, July 2014
(Thanks for permission from joyous woman to post this beauty.)

© Joy Krauthammer

Davvenen down by the Molalla River
Hmm, who is this?
Ruach HaAretz, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Rahmaneh Meyers
We prayed together in the early mornings, overlooking the Molalla River.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon   July 8, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Rahmaneh Meyers
We prayed 7AM in the early mornings, overlooking the Molalla River.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon  July 8, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer


Rahmaneh Meyers
We prayed 7AM in the early mornings, overlooking the Molalla River.
Grace and Kavanah of prayer.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon  July 8, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Rahmaneh Meyers
After looking each day, I found one small goldfish in the fountain. I loved the sound of the water. 
Walking daily with a blind friend, this fountain sound must have been a helpful guide to her.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer 7.11.2014

Morning prayer with Rabbi Shefa Gold, overlooking the Molalla River.
Love the sunlight coming through the trees.
Love the purple tallit woven by Stephen (Chaim) Shaffer, and worn here by Franna.
My same tallit is also called Tiferet, from purple silk, cotton & rayon.
Big and heavy at 40"x72".
(I'm an old weaver so I notice these details and appreciate our Judaic artisans of Hiddur Mitzvah, and wearers.)

Ruach Ha'Aretz - ALEPH's Mobile Retreat Center
July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Morning davvenen with Rabbi Shefa Gold overlooking the Molalla River
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer
Morning davvenen with Rabbi Shefa Gold overlooking the Molalla River
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon  July 13, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Perry Spring at Molalla River. 
Love his smile and shared wisdom.
The Molalla River is a 50-mile (80 km) tributary of the Willamette River.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon. 7.7.2014 
© Joy Krauthammer

Pinchas Spring, Ruach's Merkavah Driver
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon   7.7.2014
© Joy Krauthammer 
What are these white flowers?

Pinchas Spring, Ruach's Merkavah Driver
Mimosa Tree  7.7.2014
Albizzia//He Huan Hua
Tree of Joy and herb of Happiness
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer 
Selfie. Henayni
Yes, I was present, and I really wanted a photo of myself by the Molalla River.
 A river, a rare treat for me, surrounded by fresh, bright green trees, stones, ducks, little flowers, grasses, ripples, and sand and quiet joy, even the sound of serene water. Every day I see a bird here, maybe a red breasted robin, and hear birds singing in the morning, during prayers. 
A blesSing to be present and I'm grateful I'm here. Thank you to the organizers.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer
Molalla River
Very slippery with a camera.
Ruach HaAretz, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Fast Ducks on the Molalla River
Ruach HaAretz, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer 

Molalla River Grass
Ruach HaAretz, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer 

Molalla River Life Ring
Ruach HaAretz, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer 

Judith-Kate Friedman and Daniel Deardoff 
musically prepare us for Erev Shabbat.
Everyone danced around us, wearing Shabbat whites.
Daniel plays Kanjira, farme drum, mandolin, and more.

Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon 7.11.2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Judith-Kate and Daniel,  my teachers
 "In the Middle of All Creation: Fierce Beauty and the Artful Life". 
Closing ceremony, July 12, 2014
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon, 
(Taken from too far away in a dark room.)
© Joy Krauthammer

Mogen Dovid Moon
Ruach HaAretz,  July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer 

Havdalah Closing Ceremony, July 12, 2014
(tried to light the dark room at night)
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Havdalah Closing Ceremony, July 12, 2014
(dark room at night)
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Havdalah Closing Ceremony, July 12, 2014
(dark room at night)
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Havdalah Closing Ceremony, July 12, 2014
(dark room at night)
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer


Rabbi Wayne Dosick 
leading Kaddish with us for Reb Zalman, z"l 
at MIncha Service, July 9, 2014

Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Rabbi Wayne and Ellen Dosick
(Love your smiles, and you, too.)
Ruach HaAretz, Oregon July 13, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Sandy Resis and her bamboo rainstick
created at Ruach HaAretz in Sandy Pond's art tent. 

Grateful that Sandy drove me
to old Amtrak station in Salem, Oregon,
for my 2 days scenic train ride home.

© Joy Krauthammer


Art banners
 by Sandy Pond and Shonna Husbands-Hankin. 
YKVK
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer


Art banners
 by Sandy Pond and Shonna Husbands-Hankin. 
"Evdu Et Hashem B'Simcha" Psalm 100:2
Serve The Holy One With Joy
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon, July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer










Aryae Coopersmith sings HAPPY BIRTHDAY
House of Love and Prayer rendition to Wendy Berk and Tivona aka Stephanie for their birthdays.
Ruach Ha'Aretz - ALEPH's Mobile Retreat Center
© Joy Krauthammer 7.13.2014

Fire burns in my heart. July 2014
Beautiful fire made for us to enjoy.
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Sandy Pond and Zev Friedman 
with the pit-fired clay pots made by the children. 
Ruach HaAretz, closing ceremony July 13, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

As requested, I brought dirt by plane to the children's project:
Clay Seed Jars were grounded in the bioregions that all the ruach participants come from, and included a little bit of clay or sand sub-soil from the home ground of each family. The kids mixed all the subsoils together with Oregon clay, and made them into special Seed Jars held by members of the Ruach community. 
At closing ceremony, one vessel was broken, and we planted pot shards throughout Canby Grove.

Rabbis Victor and Nadya Gross
Ruach HaAretz, directors
© Joy Krauthammer 

Rabbis Victor and Nadya Gross
Ruach Closing Ritual  July 13, 2014
Rabbis Nadya and Victor Gross, co-directors, and Jewish Renewal chevre
In ritual, breaking the pit-fired clay vessel, created from our international soils,
and we planted the broken pieces.
Happy that I raced in time from the back of gathered group to the front.
© Joy Krauthammer 

Blue Kipa overlooking the Molalla River
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon  July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Memorial Altar All Shiva Week
for Reb Zalman Hiyyah Schachter-Shachter, z"l, our beloved Rebbe
Stones collected and brought by chevre to Reb Zalman's kever.
Ruach HaAretz,  July 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Paths to choose
Ruach HaAretz, Canby, Oregon
© Joy Krauthammer

Selfie
Waiting for plane to Ruach HaAretz, 
Canby, Oregon.
July 6, 2014
© Joy Krauthammer

Hope you have enjoyed some of my personal memories from Ruach HaAretz.
Maybe you, too, were present.
I'd love to enjoy your photos.
BlesSings, Joy


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