Showcase
DODB Kick-off Symposium
09/21/08
2:00PM - 4:00PM
Join BAC for a public forum “Diverse Traditions of Death and Dying” featuring Brooklyn-based traditional artists, neighborhood undertakers, and religion specialists. The forum launches the year-long BAC Folk Arts initiative Days of the Dead in Brooklyn, which focuses on culturally specific arts—music, dance, oratory, ritual—practiced in Brooklyn, historically and currently, to address loss and bereavement.
WHEN: Sunday, September 21 from 2 - 4pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society at 128 Pierrepont St. in Brooklyn Heights
SPEAKERS:
Cantor Janet Leuchter of Congregation Beth Elohim, who will discuss Jewish mourning arts and sing “Eyl Male Rachamim” (“God, Full of Compassion”), the memorial prayer chanted both for individuals and for all Jews who have died.
Euston James, Trinidadian traditional dance artist, who will discuss and demonstrate arts practiced at Trinidadian wakes, including limbo, the popular dance under a suspended pole, which is actually a funerary dance.
Sammy Lopez, Director of Borinquen Funeral Home in Bushwick, who will discuss the folklore of death as he observes it in his work; Lisa Haas performing excerpts from her monologue "Crown Hill Cemetery."
Lisa Haas performing excerpts from her monologue "Crown Hill Cemetery."
Erhan Yildirim, Director of Islamic Funeral Services, discussing Islamic burial practices.
The forum will be moderated by BAC folklorist and Days of the Dead project director, Dr. Kay Turner. There will be ample time to engage the audience in discussion of their mourning and remembrance traditions.
Click here for more information about Days of the Dead in Brooklyn.
WHEN: Sunday, September 21 from 2 - 4pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society at 128 Pierrepont St. in Brooklyn Heights
SPEAKERS:
Cantor Janet Leuchter of Congregation Beth Elohim, who will discuss Jewish mourning arts and sing “Eyl Male Rachamim” (“God, Full of Compassion”), the memorial prayer chanted both for individuals and for all Jews who have died.
Euston James, Trinidadian traditional dance artist, who will discuss and demonstrate arts practiced at Trinidadian wakes, including limbo, the popular dance under a suspended pole, which is actually a funerary dance.
Sammy Lopez, Director of Borinquen Funeral Home in Bushwick, who will discuss the folklore of death as he observes it in his work; Lisa Haas performing excerpts from her monologue "Crown Hill Cemetery."
Lisa Haas performing excerpts from her monologue "Crown Hill Cemetery."
Erhan Yildirim, Director of Islamic Funeral Services, discussing Islamic burial practices.
The forum will be moderated by BAC folklorist and Days of the Dead project director, Dr. Kay Turner. There will be ample time to engage the audience in discussion of their mourning and remembrance traditions.
Click here for more information about Days of the Dead in Brooklyn.
Watch Cantor Janet Leuchter of Congregation Beth Elohim perform the memorial prayer "Eyl Male Rakhamim" ("God Full of Compassion").
Vocalist: Cantor Janet Leuchter of Congregation Beth Elohim
"Eyl Male Rakhamim" ("God Full of Compassion")
Ashkenazic Judaism
The memorial prayer "Eyl Male Rakhamim" is chanted not only for individuals, but for all Jews who have died (depending on the text), both at the funeral service and also at other ritualized memorial occasions.
Translation:
Ashkenazic Judaism
The memorial prayer "Eyl Male Rakhamim" is chanted not only for individuals, but for all Jews who have died (depending on the text), both at the funeral service and also at other ritualized memorial occasions.
Translation:
God full of Compassion
Who dwells on high,
grant perfect rest under the wings of the Divine Presence,
with the holy and pure ones who shine like the firmament's radiance,
to our loved ones who have gone to their eternity.
May their rest be in the Garden of Eden.
May the Master of mercy give them refuge forever in the shadow of His wings
and bind up their souls in the bond of eternal life.
God is their inheritance.
And may they rest in peace,
and let us say Amen.
Days of the Dead in Brooklyn is made possible with major support from National Endowment for the Arts, Con Edison, and NYS Tribute Foundation. BAC Folk Feet traditional dance programs are supported by Mertz Gilmore Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and The New York Community Trust.
BAC programs are made possible, in part, with public funds from New York State Council on the Arts, the Brooklyn Delegations of the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and New York City Council and its Brooklyn Delegation.See Also...
