The “Kaddish in two-part harmony” project has led to some remarkable experiences for both Mira and me, in which we have had the privilege of joining people in their most intimate moments of grief. It was a privilege to play the last backstage Kaddish for Margot, with Dana nearby, getting ready for our final onstage performance together.
Author: erin
Erin Vang, PMP, BMus, MMus, is Owner and Principal Pragmatist of the consultancy Global Pragmatica LLC®, offering custom JMP scripting, localization program management, and facilitative leadership services. She is also an orchestral horn player who freelanced in the San Francisco Bay Area and played assorted brass for the celebrated dance bands Midnight Smørgåsbord and contraPtion. She now conducts all her nefarious activities from Vanghalla, in Helena, Montana, where she's principal hornist of the Helena Symphony. More about Erin…
daily kaddish: Laura Nelson
Today’s kaddish is again for college friend Laura J Nelson, ’85, whose funeral will be this weekend. All I know, still, is that her obituary reported that she had died peacefully in her sleep.
daily kaddish: for everyone and no one
The backstage, dressing room kaddish tonight was for everyone and no one. Chaz’s father, whose death inspired her choreography. Maria’s daughter Isabel. Our college friend Laura. The many dear ones who inspired Mira’s and my beginning this project not quite a year ago today.
daily kaddish: for Laura Nelson
Laura was radiant. Everyone who knew her even slightly would agree. May she rest in peace; may her smile light up the eyes of the angels as it did so many of ours.
daily kaddish: making lefse the way my grumpy gramma did
I didn’t know Gramma all that well, because she died when I was only six, of Lou Gehrig’s disease.
daily kaddish: for the family we never knew
This is a kaddish for all the family we never really knew in the first place.
daily kaddish: for Arne Sigurd Holto Haugen
Ruth told me about the grief that entered her life this spring when first her partner Jon’s best friend since childhood—and later an important friend of Ruth’s—had been killed in a car accident in Norway, where he lived. While Ruth and Jon were still reeling from that, the horrible shootings took place outside Oslo.
daily kaddish: rituals backstage—a kaddish for cynicism
Live performance together is a privilege for us performers. Don’t let anyone’s exhausted cynicism about the indeed-challenging business of the performing arts tell you otherwise.
daily kaddish: for Bradley’s mom
My friend Bradley lost her mom this spring, and today she shared a touching picture of her mom on Facebook. I was thinking about her tonight while recording the daily kaddish.
daily kaddish: for Isabel
I can’t get my Isabel out of my mind. She died so young. Maria, your family is in my thoughts.