Episode 34: Song and the Human Story with Marni Loffman

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We are thrilled to share this interview with educator, songstress, and space-holder extraordinaire Marni Loffman. Marni connects to thousands over social media with their soulful voice and warm presence, both of which they bring to our conversation (stay through the end for a spiritual song practice!) Through sharing their journey with prayer, liturgy, and g?d, Marni makes space for us to hold multiplicity, curiosity, awareness, wholeness, and healing.

How can we connect to the human experience inherent in liturgy?

How can we add our voice to this everlasting story?

(3:22) Gan – גן – Jewish preschool.
(5:12) You can find As A Driven Leaf by Rabbi Milton Steinberg here.
(5:33) Acher – אחר – other.
(7:25) Learn more about Ramah here.
(9:22) Learn more about James Fowler’s Theory of Faith Development here.
(13:28) Halachot – הלכות – Jewish law.
(19:35) Learn more about Genesis at Brandeis here.
(19:51) Mechitza minyan – מחיצה מנין – here Marni is referring to a prayer group in which men and women sit separately and have differentiated roles in the service. Learn more about mechitza here.
(19:56) Frum – פרום – (Yiddish) religious or pious.
(21:15) Egal minyan – Here, Marni is referring to an egalitarian prayer group, where all members of the prayer community have equal standing regardless of gender identity.
(21:44) Jewbu – someone whose faith is a combination of Judaism and Buddhism. Learn more here.
(23:41) Learn more about the denominations of Judaism that Marni mentions: Reform, Jewish Renewal, Breslov, Reconstructionist, Orthodox, Masorti
(24:15) In Episode 20 of the Light Lab Podcast, we interviewed Daphna Rosenberg, founder of Nava Tehila! Listen here.
(24:45) Tehilim – תהילים – Psalms.
(26:00) Kabbalat Shabbat – קבלת שבת – learn more here.
(26:55) Kavanah – קוונה – intention.
(34:49) Learn more about Wesleyan’s Lotus House here.
(38:30) Learn more about the BBYO International Convention here.
(38:43) The scholar Marni refers to is Imam Abdullah Antepli. Learn more about him here.
(42:03) T’fillat Haderech – תפילת הדרך – the Traveler’s Prayer. Learn more here.
(44:48) Lechu neranena l’Adonai – לכו נרננה לה – Let us sing out to G?d (Marni’s translation). You can find the whole prayer here.
(50:13) Learn more about the New Synagogue Project here.
(53:30) Learn more about HaZamir here.
(53:42) Learn more about Yeshivat Orayta here.
(54:14) Nusach – נוסח – classical Jewish melodic modes (Marni’s translation).
(56:19) Niggun – ניגון – wordless melody.
(57:26) Learn more about Havdalah here.
(1:05:23) Learn more about Richard Dawkins here.
(1:08:37)
Adon – אדון – Master
Adon Olamin – אדון עולמים – Master of Worlds
Ribon olamim – ריבון העולמים – Master of Worlds
Ribon kol hanasim – ריבון כל הניסים – Master of All Miracles