TESTIMONIALS | Happy Minyan Home Page
Hello Happy Minyan | Gavriel Aryeh, 6/18/2002 | Gibora Goldberger, 7/20/2002| Kaley Z. age 16, 08/22/2002 | Rabbi Parry 8/26/2002 | Daniel J 9/4/2002 | Nir 9/11/2002 | Misc 09/30/2002 | 10/03/2002
IF YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING, E-MAIL testimonials@happyminyan.org
My name is _____ - I came once to a Friday night service, on the occasion of
Rabbi Green's visit - and had a wonderful time. I met Yehuda from Moshav Band
and we were singing until well into the night.
It was my first time at a Shabbat service since moving to LA one and a half
years ago for film school, and it was wonderful. I'd love to come again. I'm
wondering if there is perhaps a newsletter or an email mailing list - so I can
stay informed about the programs at the Happy Minyan?
My email is __________
Thank you so much.
B'shalom,
__________
Dear Happy Minyan:
I
have to tell you how much I miss the energy, the zeal, the focus, and the substantive
celebration of the Happy Minyan. It was my pleasure to be a frequent attendee
when I lived in Beverly Hills, and while I live in NY now with all its diverse
resources, there is categorically nothing quite like the Happy Minyan.
I remember a Shabbat service about two years ago there when a new visitor turned
to me after a particularly vibrant stretch of singing. He said, "Wow -
if I knew Judaism was like this, I'd go to shul more often."
I've heard variations on that theme from others.
I believe you are all on to something very urgently needed in Yiddishkeit today - it's a transcendent element that envelops a person in spiritual connectivity. This is the "personal relationship" with G-d that the Christians have been marketing so successfully for years (and luring away ritual weary Jews). The truth is, Judaism has had it all along. Like Jewish meditation (as described by R' Aryeh Kaplan), the type of service offered at the Happy Minyan is a sustaining and defining link between G-d and worshipper. You can carry it with you long after the final declaration of Kaddish.
I urge you to do all you can to develop the Happy Minyan as a template which can be transferred to other communities. Having been a part of the explosive growth of the "born again" Christian movement in the early 70's, I see parallels here that could transform this little outpost of simcha in Beverly Hills into a global model for Jewish outreach.
Jews by nature are spiritually hungry. We've lost far too many to the fast-food pollutions of secularism and spiritual counterfeits. You are serving up a spiritual feast that millions - literally - are longing for. I urge you to keep cooking. And may HaShem bring you partners in thought, heart, and pocket to assist toward bringing the Beverly Hills experience within reach of so many Jews who are searching for the way home.
Gavriel
Aryeh
Consultant / Seminar Leader
gavriel.aryeh@onebox.com - email
347-219-4045 - voicemail/fax
Gibora Goldberger, 7/20/02 | top
We’ve done our very best to insure that Nachum is exposed to positive and spiritual role models. Happy Minyan has provided us with more than we could have ever asked. Thank you our Happy Minyan family and the scores of friends we’ve made here. Thank you to the people who rush to cuddle Zechariah, those who encourage Yechiel’s drumming and delight in his beautiful smile, and those who never fail to greet Nachum and readily receive his hugs. Thank you to some very close friends who have become devoted listeners. We’ve never found this in any other shul, either here or in Chicago, and you should know what a bracha Happy Minyan is to our family, and how truly special you are. Happy Minyan has made us exceedingly happy.
Gibora Goldberger's speech in honor of son's Bar Mitzvah on July 20, 2002 | Full Text
Kaley Z., 8/22/02 | top
Dear Happy Minyan:
A few weeks ago I attended the Shlomo Katz Happy Minyan concert. It was my first time attending a Happy Minyan event, and I went with a good friend who frequents the Happy Minyan. I had heard so much about it and could not wait to go. I was not one bit disappointed either. I had an amazing experience. The people I met were colorful and enthusiastic. I was welcomed very warmly and I could not help but feel at home with such a great crowd. The concert was fun and energetic. I got so much out of it. It truly had a spiritual effect on my life and I cannot wait to have more experiences like it. I have told all my friends and family about how amazing the Happy Minyan community is and how it is such an inspiring place to be. I look forward to being more involved in it and I cannot be more thankful for the experience.
Kaley Z., age 16
Rabbi Aaron Parry, 8/26/02 | top
I want to express my solidarity and admiration for the good works of this unique outreach congregation in the community. There are many Jewish souls whose only connection to Judaism is through their efforts. I have had the opportunity to participate, from time to time, both as a Shabbos mispallel and guest speaker, and recognize the positive, spiritually upbeat, and authentic Torah-environment they are creating. It will be my honor and pleasure to be the Happy Minyan Baal Tokeah (Shofar) for the 3rd consecutive Rosh Hoshana.
Rabbi Aaron Parry
Los Angeles, CA.
