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The seventh release in the acclaimed Celebrate Series. A source of comfort for anyone in pain and an inspiration to those of us who seek to soothe the wounds of others. It is an essential healing resource for all.
Featuring Neshama Carlebach, Todd Herzog, Debbie Friedman, Craig Taubman, Shirona, David Paskin, Beth Schafer, Dana, Elli Kranzler, Sally Fingerett, Sheryl Braunstein, Alberto Mizrahi, Mare Winningham, and Caren Glasser.
Established in 1999, the Celebrate Series has introduced hundreds of thousands of listeners to the best collection of Jewish music in the world. The award winning series is a treasure of musical styles from Klezmer to Ladino from Rock 'n Roll to Cantorial, from Yiddish to Kids... there's something for everyone.
'Narrow Bridge' offers path to those grieving
By Holly Andres
Staff Writer DAILY NEWS STORY
STUDIO CITY - Following God's example of visiting Abraham in his illness, Genesis 18.1, Jews regard visiting the sick to be a sacred obligation.
San Fernando Valley-based singer-songwriter Craig Taubman has taken this particular mitzvah to heart with his production of the newly released CD and companion book of essays, "The World is a Narrow Bridge."
"The book idea came first. It's a 50-essay compilation of who's who in the Jewish community who deal with healing issues," said Taubman, who sings his own song "Journey" on the CD. "The book and CD are a beautiful and easy way for people who don't know what to say to help someone with an illness or who is grieving."
Taubman said the CD and book are tools that can help people with an illness or a loss and the people who love them cope with their feelings.
"I think that people will get a sense of comfort out of them. It's not just for the receiver. It's important for the giver to feel that, too," said Taubman.
"Well It's Gone," a clear-cut folk song written and sung by actress and singer-songwriter Mare Winningham, is one of the 14 songs by various Jewish artists on the CD. It is the seventh in Taubman's "Celebrate" series of music compilations by Jewish recording artists that began with "Celebrate Hanukkah."
"My song may be more of a balm. 'Go ahead, it does feel bad,"' said Mare Winningham in analyzing the reaction to her offering on the CD. "It's hard to know what to say. You want to say the right thing."
"Songs can be so powerful that way. It's not a downer (the CD). Here are expressions of what you may be feeling. It's a beautiful thing," Winningham said. "In Jewish tradition it's a mitzvah to visit the sick. I think Craig is visiting the sick through this CD."
Many of the songs on "The World is a Narrow Bridge" are a response to a personal loss for the songwriters. Winningham's song was written in memory of a friend, Linda Darling, who was her "extraordinary" drama teacher at Patrick Henry Junior High in Northridge and died of cancer.
San Fernando Valley singer-songwriter Todd Herzog wrote "If I Only Had the Words" that he sang at the funeral of a girlfriend who died of leukemia.
"I don't see it as a sad song. It's an affirmation that life goes on," said Herzog. "There is pain in life, but it's not a reason to close your life down. I think if someone is going through what I went through as a friend, they may think (after listening to the song) if he can get through it, so will I."
The title of the CD and book comes from a quote by Rabbi Nacham of Bratslav, who said, "The world is a narrow bridge. The key to the crossing is not to be afraid."
Rabbi Edward Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino knows what it feels like to be afraid after being told he had colon cancer at age 39. Thinking and feeling perfectly healthy, the rabbi's first reaction was disbelief.
Feinstein said he had to confront his own mortality when his doctor said the cancer had returned four years after the first diagnosis.
As Feinstein wrote in the essay he contributed, "Opening a Door," he initially chose to be stoic and silent in dealing with his cancer.
"I'm a guy. Guys are tough. I thought I could tough it out," Feinstein said. "I solve problems for a living. I thought to myself, like you'd go to Home Depot and pick up some tools to fix the plumbing, that I can fix cancer myself. But you can't fix it yourself."
"It took me a long time to reach out for help," said Feinstein, who now teaches other men how to view their diseases. "When I learned that lesson, a great weight was lifted. My God, that took a long time to learn."
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"The World is a Narrow Bridge" CD and companion book can be purchased from www.craignco.com. Call (800) 627-2448.
Holly Andres, (818) 713-3708 holly.andres@dailynews.com
With 12 titles to chose from, The Celebrate Series packages great music, by great artists and takes the guess work out of shopping for Jewish music.
So go ahead...don't you think it's time to Celebrate?
"The perfect gift for someone who simply loves Jewish music"
Dirty Linen
"There's enough great music to have strong appeal to all ages. This is an essential CD for the holiday season."
Jewish Herald Voice
"Fourteen cuts bring you the full breadth of musical styles by artists who are making Mah Nishtana and Dayenu sound as never before."
Hadassah Magazine
"Taubman...welcomes the Seder as an occasion for rejoicing and renewal. That spirit infuses his new CD."
Ruth Andrew Ellenson, Jewish Journal
"You don't have to be a Jew to enjoy Jewish music, and you don't have to celebrate Passover to love "Celebrate Passover."
Laura Edwards, Morning News (SC)
"The 25-year old popular group Safam does a very pleasing Pitchu Li. The thrilling voice of Alberto Mizrahi never seems to disappoint."
Gila Wertheimer, Chicago Jewish Star
"A varied, listenable album all over the musical map... This is the disc to slap on the box while you're frying up the matzo."
American Jewish World
"A great album to get you in the mood for the coming holiday, maybe even encourages you to wield your broom as a microphone."
Marcy Oster, Cleveland Jewish News
"A spirited CD for the whole family."
Gail Zimmerman, Detroit Jewish News
"Some of the most innovative Jewish music today."
Brooklyn Family
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