Recently I especially love serving in a Farbrengen format, such as we'll be offering this Sat evening in Montreal. Scientists are increasingly offering substantiation for how the farbrengen approach is healthy for us all, including teens and elders. Here's an example of the most recent research:

A new study from Sweden gathered "a group of healthy 18-year-old boys and girls [who] were asked to perform three singing tasks together.

   1. Hum a single tone and breathe as needed.
   2. Sing a hymn and breathe as needed
   3. Sing a slow mantra and breathe only between phrases.

As the teens performed each of the tasks, researchers measured their heart rhythms. The results: For option 3: "Singing regulates activity in the so-called vagus nerve, which is involved in our emotional life and our communication with others. Songs with long phrases achieve the same effect as breathing exercises in yoga. In other words, through song we can exercise a certain control over mental states." And in England, similar findings for elders.

So in the farbrengen (bringing our spirits from their position in life, a"far" into a melodic rhythmic connection that facilitates joy of being, woven with depth of story-based learning that affords creation of  supportive community) is what I'll be offering with Fran Avni and Rabbi Sherrill Gilbert in Montreal at the Y, from 7-10 pm as we convene towards the end of Shabbat. All are welcome!