Best Payday Loans in South Africa
When unforeseen expenses develop, numerous South Africans transform to payday advance loan to bridge the void in between paydays. These short-term financings can offer fast money to cover immediate costs up urgent loan 50000 online until the next income arrives. However, with many options available, it can be testing to pick the very best payday loan for your needs. What to Seek in a Cash advance Prior to applying for a cash advance, it’s important to take into consideration numerous elements to ensure you’re obtaining the best offer feasible. Right here are some vital points to watch out for: Interest rates: Cash advance usually feature high-interest rates, so it’s important to contrast prices from several loan providers to find one of the most budget-friendly choice. Costs: Make sure to check for any type of additional fees, such as origination costs or late payment charges, that may be associated with the loan. Repayment terms: Comprehend the repayment regards to the lending, including the due date and any type of penalties for late settlements. Approval procedure: Look for loan providers that offer quick and convenient authorization processes to obtain the funds you need as soon as possible. Leading Payday Advance Loan Lenders in South Africa Below are a few of the leading payday advance loan lenders in South Africa that use affordable prices and convenient approval procedures: 1. Wonga: Wonga is a preferred payday advance loan lending institution in South Africa recognized for its fast and simple online application procedure. 2. Money Converters: Cash Converters uses payday loans with adaptable settlement terms and affordable rates of interest. 3. Boodle: Boodle gives quickly and easy cash advance with transparent charges and no surprise prices. Tips for Selecting the very best Payday Advance When selecting a payday advance loan lending institution, maintain the adhering to pointers in mind to guarantee you’re making the best choice for your monetary demands: Contrast rates: Shop around and compare rate of interest from different lenders to discover one of the most budget-friendly alternative. Review the small print: Meticulously evaluate the terms of the car loan to understand all charges and settlement terms. Avoid borrowing greater than you need: Only obtain the amount you require to cover your urgent expenses to prevent unnecessary financial obligation. Consider different options: Discover different financing choices, such as individual loans or bank card, before dedicating to a payday advance. Conclusion Finally, payday advance loan can be a convenient method to access fast cash money when you’re dealing with unforeseen costs in South Africa. By comparing prices, costs, and settlement terms from different lenders, you can discover the most effective payday advance that satisfies your economic demands. Make certain to review the small print and take into consideration alternative options before deciding to guarantee you’re making an audio monetary...
Read MoreWhat Is Clotrimazole as well as Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream Made Use Of For?
If you’ve ever before experienced a fungal infection or particular skin problem, you might have discovered clotrimazole and also betamethasone dipropionate cream. This medicated cream is commonly suggested by healthcare experts to treat different fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and also ringworm, along with specific inflammatory skin problem like eczema and also psoriasis. Clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream is a mix medicine which contains 2 energetic components: clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate. Each of these ingredients serves a details purpose in dealing with fungal infections and also inflammatory skin conditions. Clotrimazole: Battling Fungal Infections Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication that functions by hindering the development as well as spread of fungi. It comes from the azole class of antifungal drugs, which are known for their efficiency against a variety of fungal infections. When used topically in cream kind, clotrimazole targets the cell wall surfaces of the fungis, weakening them and ultimately resulting in their damage. This antifungal representative is especially reliable in treating skin infections triggered by dermatophytes, yeasts, as well as mold and mildews. It is typically utilized to soothe symptoms and get rid of the underlying root cause of conditions such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and also ringworm. Clotrimazole cream is generally put on the affected area of the skin in a thin layer, guaranteeing complete coverage of the infection. It is essential to adhere to the suggested dose and period of treatment to make best use of the effectiveness of the drug. Most of the times, the signs boost within a couple of days of beginning therapy, however it is important to proceed utilizing the cream for the suggested duration to stop a reoccurrence of the infection. Betamethasone Dipropionate: Taming Inflammation Betamethasone dipropionate is a powerful corticosteroid that helps in reducing inflammation as well as eliminate signs connected with certain skin problem. Corticosteroids function by subduing the immune response and reducing the manufacturing of inflammatory substances in the body. When incorporated with clotrimazole in a cream formulation, betamethasone dipropionate helps ease the pain caused by skin disease such as dermatitis and also psoriasis. These problems are identified by soreness, itching, as well as inflammation, as well as can be quite traumatic for those impacted. By applying clotrimazole and also betamethasone dipropionate cream to the impacted areas, the corticosteroid element helps to calm the inflammation, minimize itchiness, as well as promote recovery. Nevertheless, it deserves noting that corticosteroids should be made use of for short-term and also periodic treatment to stay clear of possible negative effects and also skin thinning. Mix Treatment: The Advantages and Considerations Clotrimazole and also betamethasone dipropionate cream supplies the benefit of addressing both the fungal infection and the linked inflammation concurrently. This combination treatment can give quicker relief and a much more extensive strategy to dealing with particular skin disease. Nevertheless, as with any type of medicine, there are certain factors to consider to remember. It is very important to utilize clotrimazole and also betamethasone dipropionate lotion as recommended by a medical care professional. Adhering to the recommended dosage, regularity, as well as duration of treatment will certainly guarantee optimum results as well as decrease the danger of side effects. It’s also vital to follow correct health techniques when beneficios del incasol utilizing this cream. Thoroughly clean and completely dry the afflicted location prior to using the cream, and wash your hands before and after application to prevent the spread of infection. If you experience any type of aggravating adverse effects or if the condition aggravates or does not boost after the recommended treatment duration, it is critical to...
Read MoreThe Art of Card Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide
Card reading, additionally known as cartomancy, is a technique that has been around for centuries. It involves making use of a deck of cards to acquire understanding into the past, present, and future. Many people turn to card reading as a way to seek guidance, clearness, and validation in their lives. History of Card Analysis The practice of card analysis can be mapped back to old people such as the Egyptians, Chinese, and Greeks. It has developed over time, with different cultures establishing their very own unique methods and interpretations of the cards. Today, card analysis is a prominent kind of prophecy exercised by people throughout the world. One of one of the most popular and widely astrology tarot reading used decks for card reading is the Tarot deck. The Tarot card deck consists of 78 cards, each with its own significance and definition. Other popular decks include oracle cards, Lenormand cards, and playing cards. Card analysis can be carried out in various ways, consisting of single-card draws, three-card spreads, and a lot more complicated formats such as the Celtic Cross. The analysis of the cards is based upon the viewers’s instinct, expertise of the importance, and the context of the reading. Single-card attracts: An easy and quick method to obtain understanding into a specific inquiry or scenario. Three-card spreads: Used to check out past, existing, and future elements of phone psychic readings a scenario. Celtic Cross: A much more complex layout that gives extensive insight right into a scenario or concern. Types of Card Readings There are several kinds of card readings that can be utilized for different objectives, such as love, profession, partnerships, and individual growth. Some common sorts of card readings consist of: Love analyses: Focus on connections, feelings, and potential outcomes in love and romance. Profession readings: Check out occupation possibilities, obstacles, and potential courses for success in the work environment. Connection analyses: Supply understanding right into the characteristics and challenges of personal and expert relationships. Personal growth analyses: Deal support and assistance for personal development, self-discovery, and healing. Tips for Card Analysis Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned visitor, below are some ideas to boost your card reading practice: Establish the intention: Before an analysis, take a minute to facility on your own and set your purpose for the analysis. Trust your intuition: Enable your intuition to assist you in interpreting the cards and relying on the messages you receive. Method routinely: The even more you technique, the much more acquainted you will certainly become with the cards and their significances. Maintain a journal: Tape-record your analyses, insights, and analyses in a journal to track your development and development as a visitor. Conclusion Card analysis is an effective tool for gaining insight, clearness, and advice in different areas of life. Whether you are seeking answers to certain questions or seeking spiritual advice, card reading can supply a meaningful and transformative experience. With method, devotion, and an open heart, any person can discover to read the cards and open the wisdom they...
Read MoreUnlocking the Power of Free Readings: An Extensive Overview
Are you someone who enjoys the globe of readings and astrology readings online prophecy, but does not constantly have the budget plan to purchase pricey solutions? Fear not, as totally free readings are below to conserve the day! In this detailed overview, we will check out the globe of complimentary analyses, how to access them, and just how to make one of the most out of this important resource. What Are Cost-free Readings? Free readings are exactly what they sound like – readings that are supplied to individuals with no price attached. These readings can include a range of different prophecy practices, such as tarot card readings, astrology analyses, numerology readings, and extra. While some might examine the precision and credibility of complimentary readings, they can still offer important insight and guidance to those who are open to getting them. Lots of on-line platforms and communities use cost-free readings as a method to return to their target market and give a service to those that might not have the financial ways to spend for analyses. These totally free readings can be equally as insightful and handy as paid analyses, and can usually work as a tipping rock for individuals who are brand-new to the globe of prophecy. It is very important to come close to complimentary analyses with an open mind and a sense of interest. While they might not constantly be 100% exact, they can still provide beneficial viewpoints and insights that can assist assist you on your life’s journey. Constantly be respectful and grateful to the people offering totally free readings. Put in the time to review the messages and insights given during the reading. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek information if something isn’t clear to you. How to Access Free Readings There are a range of means to gain access to totally free analyses, both online and in person. One of one of the most popular approaches is with online systems and neighborhoods devoted to prophecy and analyses. These systems commonly have devoted areas or forums where people can use totally free analyses to participants of the area. Social media site systems are likewise a fantastic source for locating free analyses. Lots of independent readers and experts provide complimentary analyses as a means to display their abilities and connect with prospective customers. By adhering to these individuals on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, you can remain upgraded on when they are using complimentary analyses and exactly how to get involved. Another method to gain access to cost-free readings is through neighborhood esoteric shops and occasions. Lots of stores and events supply cost-free readings as a means to attract customers and build area. By attending these events and supporting local companies, you can access complimentary analyses from skilled practitioners in your area. Tips for Making the Most Out of Free Readings While free analyses can be a beneficial resource, it is necessary to approach them with intent and mindfulness. Here are some pointers for making one of the most out of your free analysis experience: 1. Establish clear purposes for the analysis and be open to receiving whatever messages come through. 2. Make note throughout the analysis so you can refer back to them later and psychic online reading assess the insights given. 3. Trust fund your intuition and suspicion when analyzing the messages from the reading. Final thought Free readings can be a powerful tool for acquiring insight and advice in your life journey. By approaching them with an open mind and a feeling of interest, you can unlock the important messages...
Read MoreThe Fact Regarding Psychics
Psychics have actually long been a topic of attraction and argument. Are they truly talented with superordinary capacities, or are they just knowledgeable at reviewing individuals and making informed hunches? The truth regarding psychics is a complex and nuanced one, with followers and skeptics on both sides of the debate. What is a Psychic? A psychic is a person who claims to have the ability to regard details hidden from the typical senses via extrasensory perception (ESP). This can include capabilities such as clairvoyance, telepathy, and precognition. Psychics may utilize tools such as tarot card cards, clairvoyance, or palm reading to assist them tap into their psychic capacities. There are several types of psychics, each with their own special capabilities and approaches of method. Some psychics focus on connecting with the spirit globe, while others focus on predicting the future or supplying advice and recommendations to their customers. It’s important to keep in mind that not all psychics are genuine. There are numerous cheats around who take advantage of vulnerable individuals, claiming to have superordinary capabilities in order to earn a profit. It’s important to approach psychics with a healthy dose of suspicion and critical thinking. Clairvoyants: Psychics who declare to have the capacity to see occasions or items that can not be perceived by the regular senses. Mediums: Psychics that claim to interact with spirits of the dead. Psychic Fortuneteller: Psychics that use tarot cards to take advantage of their psychic abilities and provide understandings and guidance to their clients. The Debate Around Psychics The dispute around psychics is a warmed one, with skeptics suggesting that psychic capabilities are absolutely nothing greater than tricks and chilly reading methods. Skeptics point to the absence of clinical evidence sustaining the presence of psychic capacities, and the several instances of fraudulence and deception within the psychic market. On the various other hand, followers in psychics say that there are authentic individuals who possess psychic abilities and have actually assisted countless people with their insights and support. They point to the lots of unexplained sensations that take place worldwide, and the experiences of those that have actually had accurate and purposeful readings from psychics. Ultimately, whether or not you rely on psychics is a personal choice. It is essential to come close to the topic with an open mind and to think about the proof on both sides of the debate. Just how online medium reading to Discover a Genuine Psychic If you’re interested in consulting a psychic, it’s important to do your research and discover an authentic and credible expert. Below are some ideas for finding a credible psychic: Ask for recommendations from pals or member of the family that have actually had positive experiences with psychics. Research study online testimonials and testimonies to see what others have to say about the psychic in question. Depend on your impulses – if something really feels off or too excellent to be real, it most likely is. Try to find psychics that provide a money-back warranty or that have a code of ethics that they stick to. Avoid psychics who make grandiose cases or that pressure you right into investing even more money than you’re comfortable with. Bear in mind that a real psychic will never declare to have all the answers or to be 100% accurate constantly. Final Ideas Psychics stay a controversial and mystical topic, with followers and doubters alike providing engaging disagreements for their corresponding positions. Whether you believe in psychic capacities, it is very important to approach the topic with an open mind and a healthy and balanced dose...
Read MoreAbout Me
What’s Susan up to?
Penn State Center for Holocaust and Jewish Studies will host me as I present a solo program of song and history focusing on the roots of Eastern European Jewish music and related songs.
I have the honor of presenting this year at the annual American Folklore Society's conference. A lecture on papercut arts around the world and a demonstration of my own work will take place during the conference on October 22, 2021!
ELEVEN languages and counting! Over the years, I've crafted ketubot that honor many cultures. In addition to the expected Aramaic, modern Hebrew, English, and even Yiddish, I have included Korean, Kannada, Latin, Arabic, and even the Telugu seen in the cropped image above! What a joy this has been!
What a wonderful experience I shared with the community of Las Cruces, NM and the Guild of American Papercutters when I presented an hour-long lecture on the worldwide history of papercut arts on March 16, 2021. This was in conjunction with the museum's show of Islamic papercut art. We looked at tools, traditions, and especially shared visual vocabularies from India to Mexico, from Persia to China and beyond!
February 18, 2018 - Susan will be hosted by the Sholem Aleichem Center in the Bronx for a concert. Come for a shmuez (a chat) and stay for the music!https://www.pineclubgolf.com/best-electrical-push-carts/
As part of the Sacred: Image, Text, Ritual exhibit at Lebanon Valley College, Susan will be presenting a lecture recital titled "Words as Homeland: Where Jewish Text, Art, and Song Converge to Express a Culture." Thursday, February 8, 2018, 5 pm at the Zimmerman Recital Hall.
A wonderful arts residency in Teaneck, NJ at Congregation Beth Sholom concluded with a full concert, accompanied by Adrian Banner on Piano. Enthusiasm and learning flowed back and forth the entire time. Fabulous community!
What a great night at the Jalopy in Brooklyn on June 16, 2016 as my new trio with Lauren Brody and Jake Shulman-Ment stepped out to strut our stuff! Many languages, many musical cultures, and great joy in blending our voices and instruments.
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In the beautiful summer landscape of Rindge, New Hampshire, I was privileged to teach traditional Jewish papercut arts at the annual National Havurah Committee's Summer Institute. We turned a large, sunny room into an art studio, and the class burst into enthusiastic art creation. I love the celebratory greeting of everyone's creations as skills and appreciation deepen over four days of classes. I'll come to you! Just ask!
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Back to the Catskills, this time teaching for HAZAK, a group under the umbrella of United Synagogue that offers among its programs an annual summer week of learning and camaraderie. I used my lecture/recital format to widen the world of Yiddish song for about 150 life-long learners as we studied, laughed, sang a bit, and grew to know one another in Kerhonkson, NY.
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When Nancy Spielberg screened her film Above and Beyond in Harrisburg's Chisuk Emuna Congregation, I was tapped to create a papercut gift for her. I chose the color scheme of her promotional material and the Hebrew words which translate into "Be strong... and strengthen one another." The filmmaker and I are shown here. (photo by Josh Damrauer)
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Each year the myriad of faith communities in the Harrisburg region come together to celebrate in song. Here's an image of my participation, sharing the beauty of Yiddish song at the Pine Street Presbyterian Church.
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One of three children's programs to wind up a hectic and marvelous Scholar in Residence program at Congregation Beth El in Fairfield, CT. Lectures, singing programs, explorations of Yiddishkayt - and a debut concert of the new Leviton/Brody duo in concert! I'll happily come to your community, too!
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Yiddish Culture on St. Croix! I received the warmest welcome all across the island where I had the opportunities to teach a vocal arts class in a school, offer an adult papercutting workshop, lecture in the synagogue, and get the whole audience at the Reformed Church singing along in multiple languages! Cultural seeds planted and the smiles, voices, and hugs still linger in memory!
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The Judson Church off Washington Square was packed with well over 300 people on December 30, 2014, to honor the memory and brilliance of Adrienne Cooper, and to award Michael Wex with this year's Dreaming in Yiddish prize. Below is an image of the finale of the musical performance of the Kanonen song from Brecht and Weill's Threepenny Opera, translated from the German into Yiddish by Wex himself. An all-star band backed us as we belted out the Army Song and others, accompanied by the brilliant puppetry and staging of Great Small Works and Power Point translations which made the text a little less inscrutable! What a night! Singers below include Sarah Gordon, Eleanor Reissa, Tine Kindermann, Dan Kahn, myself, and others.
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A whirlwind arts week in Caldwell, NJ at Congregation Agudath Israel allowed me to open Jewish folk arts to energetic groups from preschoolers through elders. The tots sang and acted out Yiddish songs with costumes and props, the school students (4 larger groups) explored paper arts and traditional papercutting, and adults were treated to a series of lecture recitals, everything taking place in a large space where I hung over 35 works of framed art. What a fabulous arts residency for all of us together!
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Nearly 100 people attended a lecture/recital stitching together I. B. Singer's writing and the artists who illustrated his books as Susan sang her way through the bookshelves, Sunday, November 16, at Chisuk Emuna Congregation in Harrisburg, PA. This was the second event in the year's programming under a grant from the Koster Foundation.
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I was guest lecturer at Dickinson College today, October 6, singing my way through a program on Jews and Food. Unlike the light weight singalongs I often do on this topic, the class took food songs into the framework of Hasia Diner's examination of the place of food in Jewish life in the Pale of Settlement through acculturation in America. 15 songs unpacked! A great eye-opening experience for all!
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Heeding God's Call is a national organization working at a grassroots level to end gun violence and straw buying. On September 18, within days of two gun murders in Harrisburg, I participated in an interfaith program at the MLK Baptist Church in the heart of our city. We 'sang' Reisen's Dos Naye Lid together as the assembled crowd held colored cards with words in Yiddish and English.
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A happy bride at the huppah with her papercut ketubah! 'Tis the season, and I've been busy with commissions of all sorts!
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A full week of learning and teaching at the Havurah Summer Institute was a welcome experience again this year. Located at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire, about 300 Havurahniks from infancy to elder sage-age filled days and nights with enthusiastic work, food, music, and exploration. I taught classes in Yiddish song and helped create a soundscape for Tisha B'Av this summer. Loved it!!!
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A lovely way to begin the summer's KlezKamp's Wisconsin adventure was a solo concert at Chai Point in Milwaukee. Jill Gellerman and were welcomed to the beautiful facility and then I sang for and with a great crowd of elders, eager to be part of the action!
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Quite a surprise when I met the truck from Welch Signage in Maine, carrying the massive synagogue feature wall I had designed, to see a piece of my own artwork prominently displayed on both sides of the vehicle!
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I performed for over 100 people at beautiful Maris Grove in Pennsylvania's Delaware County on May 13. As part of the PA Humanities Council's program of Commonwealth Speakers, I was able to bring the sound of Yiddish to an audience largely unfamiliar with the language and culture. As always, common threads were immediately found!
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Verrry busy these days creating a synagogue feature wall, but I took time last week to be interviewed for Ted Merwin's article "The Aesthetics of Judaism" in The New York Jewish Week. Here's a quote: "For Susan Leviton, a ketubah-maker, paper-cut artist and Yiddish folk song performer ..., it was during the 1960s and ’70s, when many Jews flocked back to their roots, that Jews... 'took Judaism back into their own hands' and began braiding challahs and tie-dying prayer shawls. Hiddur mitzvah 'alters us as we fulfill a mitzvah or perform a ritual,' she told me. A Midrash (Song of Songs Rabbah 1.15) suggests that observance of the commandments makes Jews beautiful, even as Jews glorify God through hiddur mitzvot."
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An outpouring of love and creativity filled the room as we honored the memory of Adrienne Cooper and saw Jenny Romaine accept the first Dreaming in Yiddish award for her visionary work. Here's Susan on stage with Alicia Svigals, Jake Shulman-Ment, Benjy Fox Rosen, Aaron Alexander, Michael Winograd, and Dan Blacksberg, 12/21/13. (Photo by Bob Blacksberg)
When Goucher College Hillel welcomed a gift of two Torah scrolls, I was honored to craft mantles and wimples. So much silk! Garnet polished to look like pomegranate seeds! Text and the visions of students to work with! A grand experience.
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A totally spectacular group of artists, writers, social activists, and even puppeteers joined me for a week of creative work as I served as Artist in Residence at the 2013 National Havurah Conference Summer Institute in Rindge, NH. In 4 days of intense collective learning and creating, we built a musical theater production in a box (a cranky) and shared the story of the plight of needleworkers, past and present, with 300 others in a rapt audience!
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It was a beautiful day in Baltimore as the Jewish Museum of Maryland presented its annual Risch Memorial Program. I was delighted to be the featured performer, following brief, powerful presentations by Andres Salguero, Ssuuna, and the DC Turkish Folk Music Group. It always touches me to rediscover the points of connection among immigrant communities, regardless of geographic homes, cultures, and reasons for relocation. A brilliant celebration of cultures!
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Over 350 pieces of beautiful Youghiogheny Art Glass hand-cut, and now I'm on to wet-grinding the edges! It's a new skill that I'm happy to add to my resume as I take on the responsibility to create a soaring double wall of glass above the Torah ark for Chisuk Emuna Congregation in Harrisburg, building anew after a destructive fire in 2009. Check back in mid-May for a look at the completed wall!
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Getting closer to a new recording! Michael Winograd spent a day in the studio on March 28 with Frank London, Dan Blacksberg, Hadar Noiberg, and Alec Speigelman to lay down horn tracks for my as-yet-unnamed CD. Dan Kahn joined in as a special guest vocalist. Next will come strings and soon after that the mixing and mastering, printing and artwork, and OT AZOY! A new Yiddish recording!
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A whirl of creative activity has sent me to the sewing machine to craft two Torah mantles for Goucher College Hillel. One of the scrolls is a rescued Torah from Czechoslovakia, so armed with a palette of palest greys, golds, silvers, and ivories, I headed to Chinatown in NYC on a rainy day to seek silks! What a delight to discover Belraf Fabrics, owned by an Uzbeki couple. A trip around the world in fabric! Take a peek here are the first days' construction.
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I'll be guest lecturing at Dickinson College in Professor Ted Merwin's class during the week that we commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. My program on the fire in words and Yiddish song continues to grow as I learn, and to sadly resonate as we all ponder how little has changed in global workplace safely in the last century. See "Upcoming Events" for details.
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Each year as KlezKamp ends, I proclaim, "This was the best ever!" And every year I mean it. And this year I mean it more! The staff concert nearly lifted the roof off what had been, in its glory days The Granite Hotel in the Catskills. My classes (traditional papercutting and "Our Lives are in our Songs") were filled with curious, thoughtful participants who challenged one another to take each idea to a new level. What an experience. Do not miss this next December!! (sneak peek? Check out the KlezKamp post under Upcoming Events for a video clip!)
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December 22, 2012. Kaye Theater in Manhattan. I soared on the energy of dozens of the finest performers of Yiddish song and Klezmer as we paid tribute to Adrienne Cooper's memory in a three-hour concert of the songs she most loved. What a thrill to sing 'Di Arbuzn' a cappella, in three parts with women performers including Alicia Svigals, Lauren Brody, Shura Lipovsky, and Marsha Gildin. It was both a humbling and energizing evening. Sing out!
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I've just been selected as one of ten 2013 Guild of American Papercutters/X-acto Masters. This means over the course of the coming year I will be testing tools and materials and interacting with other artists to hone our skills and increase interest in papercutting arts. Very exciting!
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Are you aware of the Commonwealth Speakers program under the PA Humanities Commission? Every two years, a roster of artists, story-tellers, historians, and musicians selected by the PHC are able to travel the state offering specific programs at no cost to groups (schools, libraries, state parks, etc.!) other than a basic application fee. I just returned from Ohev Sholom in Williamsport and will head to Reading on Thursday to bring Women's Voices in Yiddish Song to the Federation's Friendship Circle there. Visit the website at www.pahumanities.org and check it out! Free programming! What are you waiting for???
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It's been a long time coming, but here I am, immersed in the joy of working in collaboration with brilliant musicians as I prepare a new recording! Production is in the fine hands of Michael Winograd, and the initial tracks have been laid down with David Licht, Jake Shulman-Ment, Carmen Staaf, Garth Stevenson, and Avi Fox-Rosen, with Lauren Brody and others joining in soon! Hmm... mostly Yiddish, with some surprises mixed in, and everything from spare acoustic accompaniment to over-the-top orchestrations. There'll be more and more about the project as it emerges from its infancy, so watch for news! Perhaps a concert or cd release party in your neighborhood down the line...
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Kesher Zion Congregation in Reading, PA welcomed me as artist-in-residence for the weekend of November 9, 2012, as the congregation honored the memories of Dr. Robert Greenberg and Evelyn Blumberg. I was delighted to find myself in the company of the congregation's brilliant Rabbi Minna Bromberg and rooms full of enthusiastic people hungry to experience new 'takes' on Jewish culture. My programming included a presentation of Yiddish songs of spiritual yearning, a lecture on contemporary Jewish ritual art, and then a rollicking concert on Saturday night with the newly expanded Old World Folk Band! Be sure to check the "Upcoming Events" tab to see where else I'm scheduled to spread YIddish culture!
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I can't say enough about the wonderful Tree of Life Congregation in MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA, where I just spent a weekend as scholar in residence. If you go to my 'coming events' tab, you may see the whole arc of the weekend, but I want to focus here on the response to my "Rage Against the Sewing Machine" presentation on Saturday night, October 27. Among the folks in attendance were physicians, attorneys, and workplace safety experts who each added to a passionate conversation about the effects of completely unregulated natural gas extraction on West Virginians, coal miners' safety issues, and even the plight of disabled people in sheltered workshops who, like the needle workers of 100 years ago, are largely groups without a voice. 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.' And yet we still find inspiration to act for social justice when we learn and sing the songs of our forebears. "Give us bread and give us roses!"
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A radio interview for a BALTIMORE station (WVIE 1370) allowed me to share some insights into the history of labor activism in the United States on September 2, 2012 - Labor Day weekend. So much more meaningful than running to sporting goods stores for sale items, this was a chance to engage listeners in anthemic Yiddish songs and their contexts. So many songs... so little time! But every time a Yiddish song is SUNG, it lives a new life.
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It's late summer, so a trip to the BLOCK AND HEXTER VACATION CENTER in Poyntelle, PA came around on my calendar. My teaching schedule allowed me to alternate sessions with fellow presenter Saul Silas Fahti, as we worked to expand the artistic, musical, polititcal, and in Saul's case, even cosmological horizons of the elders who flocked to the Poconos to participate, learn, and (it's a Jewish camp!) eat 3 squares a day. Whether singing, lecturing, or engaging in issues, I always learn from interactions with program participants. One highlight this year was meeting two Hungarian-born sisters who offered me a macaronic (mixed language) song that alternates lines between Hungarian and German/Yiddish. Will it make the cut on my upcoming recording? Stay tuned!
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A quick trip to MADISON, WISCONSIN as part of "A Bisele KlezKamp" on July 22 was a terrific bright spot in a busy summer season! Over 200 people buzzed around programming by some of the best teacher/artists in the Yiddish folk arts world as Michael Wex, Cookie Segelstein, Lauren Brody, Henry Sapoznik, Sherry Mayrent, Miriam Isaacs, David Spies, Sara Gordon, Kurt Bjorling, Steve Weintraub, and I managed to compress a week's worth of learning into one fabulous day. Keep up-to-date with U. OF WISCONSIN'S MAYRENT CENTER to find out what Yiddish programming will be offered throughout the year before our triumphant return next summer!
On Friday night prior to 'ABKK' I was hosted by Congregation Shaarei Shomayim where I presented an a cappella lecture/recital titled "Healing the World in Yiddish Song." Given the political upheavals and charged emotions in Madison these days, the program was a welcome one. The room was packed with people of all ages, and it was a special joy to me to be singing in a room within Frank Lloyd Wright's historic Unitarian Church, where the congregation meets regularly.
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Lauren Brody and I head to PITTSBURGH on June 3 for two concerts, a family event in the morning, and a full concert in the late afternoon at the JCC, in conjunction with the Jewish Museum's exhibit on the artists who illustrated the works of I.B. Singer. We're working up new material and are delighted that both PennPAT and the PA Humanities Council are supporting the program with generous grants. Come celebrate Yiddish culture!
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Healing the World in Yiddish - This lecture/recital program drew people from a wide variety of backgrounds and ages to a program sponsored but DICKINSON COLLEGE, the Literary Heritage Fund, Association for Jewish Studies, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg on April 24. With PowerPoint translations and even a visit from Dan Kahn and the Painted Bird on screen, we explored the drive for human rights that infuses Yiddish song, and the activism that the songs inspire. As part of a series titled "Telling Jewish Stories through the Arts," the evening's riches were obvious as participants lingered over tea and cake and shared the stories that bubbled up in response to the presentation. What a great night!
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On Sunday, April 1, the Jewish Federation of Greater DAYTON and the Lynda A. Cohen Yiddish Club welcomed Lauren Brody and me for a concert. It was the first time that Lauren and I had the opportunity to present a full concert and we felt like siblings on the stage, finding parallel expressions of meaning and intention in her accordion and my voice without even a nod or a word. Utilizing the full range of her instrument, Lauren crafted a unique setting for each song, and the 'whole cloth' was fantastic.
We're already warming up for an upcoming event in June, so stay tuned for details!!
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MAURICE SENDAK! I write this on the day of Maurice Sendak's passing. (If you haven't heard both the recent Fresh Air interview and the hilarious pair of Colbert interviews with the incomparable Mr. Sendak, go find them NOW and come back here in an hour...) I am grateful and humbled to have had the opportunity to spend several months immersed in the life and work of Mr. Sendak, preparing for a program built around the Rosenbach's exhibit of the influences of his Jewish world on his life's work. So on Sunday, April 15, the Haverford Public Library swelled with the sounds of Klezmer as I took over the children's wing of the library to present "Yiddish in the Nutshell" with Ken Ulansey on clarinet and Heath Allen on keyboard. Sendak's early life in a Yiddish-speaking immigrant neighborhood in Brooklyn, the awareness of evil in the world, and the fears and bravery of children shaped much of his life's work, and I blended his personal life into songs and stories for a rollicking hour. The program was interactive, with sing-alongs, props, costumes, and wild Sendakian tales abounding. It was a Yiddishe Vilde 'Rumpus' for everyone's inner child! Pick up a book by Maurice Sendak and look deeply into it. You may be changed!
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LAFAYETTE COLLEGE Hillel hosted me on Tuesday night, March 20 for a program in song and story on the actual history of the Sarajevo Hagaddah. It was a real one-woman show as I demonstrated design, lettering, and gilding techniques of the centuries-old masterpiece, as well as recounted its improbable story interspersed with songs in the Sarajevo dialect of Judeo-Spanish, in Yiddish, and in Hebrew, along with a Moroccan chant - all related to the Hagaddah. The audience included students, college faculty, and local residents, and there was a lively Q and A at the conclusion of the program. Lafayette has a gorgeous old campus perched above the city of Easton at the confluence of the Delaware and Raritan rivers. I hope to return!
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LAUREN BRODY will join me in presenting a full concert in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday, April 1 for the annual event honoring the memory of Lynda A. Cohen. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share the stage and have been working up two terrific sets for the Yiddish club and expected gathered throngs!
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A presentation of my concert "Women's Voices in Yiddish Song" at Penn State University in Middletown, PA on February 23 drew people from Lancaster, York, Lebanon, and the greater Harrisburg area. Having been interviewed for an upcoming article in a Dayton, Ohio paper the night before, I kept thinking during the concert of a particular question I was asked: "What do you want people to take away from your performance?" So I'll tell you: I want people to be so surprised and touched that they come away with a desire to dig a little deeper into Yiddish culture and discover something about themselves. The values and history that are packed into our songs go far in teaching us how to know ourselves if we just open our hearts a bit. That's why I sing. Oh, and also, I sing because I can't NOT sing!!
Only a week to go before Kerhonkson, NY becomes the temporary capital of Yiddishland! This year at KlezKamp I'll be teaching the hands-on papercutting course and a four-session a capella lecture/recital course.
I'm especially looking forward to the time I'll be carving out with fellow PennPAT artist SUSAN WATTS to work on some vocal duets and arrangements, and to begin taking concrete steps towards my NEW RECORDING, which will be produced by the amazing MICHAEL WINOGRAD! Check this website regularly for announcements, too, of a new duo in the works featuring MICHAEL WEX and Susan Leviton. Use your imagination for now - details to follow soon!
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On Sunday, November 20, 2011, I presented a "Conversation with the Artist" in conjunction with the "Making it Better: Folk Art in Pennsylvania Today" exhibit in which one of my papercuts is featured. I demonstrated the art of Jewish papercutting and shared insights into its history and contemporary expressions with about 30 museum-goers. On exhibit through April 29, 2012, Making It Better tells the stories of over 30 master artists whose works represent a wide array of traditions such as African dance, stone wall construction, Native American clay flutes, Pysanky eggs, contemporary blacksmith work, woodcarving, and Vietnamese funerary portraits. I'm honored to have been chosen to have my work represented among so many brilliant examples of folk arts.
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Groundbreaking for Chisuk Emuna Congregation's new synagogue took place in Harrisburg on Sunday, October 16, 2011, and over 350 people celebrated with a block party that featured kugel in a sukkah, carnival food, games and abundant crafts for children, and an afternoon of outstanding music: klezmer, jazz, and old-timey. Bands set up on a concrete pad at one end of the soon-to-be-a-shul property, and music filled the air! I had the pleasure of singing once again with the Old World Folk Band, which has recently welcomed several new musicians as regulars, and which added additional guest performers for the outdoor event.
The synagogue was destroyed by an accidental fire in 2009, and more recently was left homeless when The Flood of 2011 forced the congregation from temporary quarters in the JCC. The sense that the next plague was waiting in the wings was banished by the wonderful welcome to a new neighbrhood, and it looks like the block party may become an annual event!
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A whirlwind few days at the 14th annual IAYC (International Association of Yiddish Clubs) conference in Novi, Michigan offered me the opportunity to perform and teach, and to meet people from all over the country who gathered to celebrate Yiddish culture. Highlights for me were presenting my powerful lecure/recital, "Rage Against the Sewing Machine" in this 100th anniversary year following the Triangle Fire, and joining Dan Kahn on the bandstand following my solo concert.
To see parts of one of my programs at the conference, please visit www.yiddishlives.com/susanleviton
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