Last week, in partnership with Temple Beth Shalom, I taught a class about the band, Phish. I presented a bit about the history of the band, why it is that so many Jewish people in the USA feel a strong connection to the music, the band, and the surrounding culture. For more on this, feel free to ask me for the zoom recording of the hour long conversation. It was a blast!
One key element that we spoke of was the Jewish concepts of Keva and Kavana, and how Phish so powerfully weave the two together in their music. Keva refers to consistency, structure, predictability, and it is exemplified when Phish plays one of their songs more or less as it sounds on the album. Kavana, on the other hand, is a deeper, extemporaneous, unscripted journey that has no beginning or end, just deep feeling. As many find in Jewish thought and prayer, Keva can be a portal that delivers some to promised places and feelings, though it can also be the platform that launches others into other spaces of Kavana. When Phish begins a song, like “Run Like An Antelope”, then goes into a 15 minute impromptu jam session, then comes back to the song to end it, this is an example of Keva and Kavana mixed together. The result is powerful and serves to bind the audience (or even Youtube listeners) together.
Our teachers practice both Keva and Kavana here daily. Students rely on consistent structures to create a safe and predictable environment necessary for learning and thriving. Yet each teacher uses their approach and talent to make each day come alive and to make each child feel valued and incredible.
Shabbat Shalom,
Listen to Phish (especially the song, “You Enjoy Myself”)
Brian Cohen, Head of School
May 28, 2021 ~ 17 Sivan 5781