30/05/2023
THE TAMBOURINE DREAM FESTIVAL:
Making Dreams Come True
By
Susan Cohen
Managing Editor
When visitors ask me what makes Tzfat so distinctly spiritual, I always give the women who learn, teach, pray, nurture and lift their voices in song and dance top-of-the-list credit.
It was Aviva Spiegel's longing to spend time at the beach that was the impetus for the Tambourine Dream Festival.
Ten years ago, married, with six young children at home, she yearned to be seaside occasionally to rejuvenate her physically and spiritually. Inspired by a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe urging women to begin celebrating the Redemption not only through learning and prayer but with music and dance, an idea gave birth to one of the most anticipated women’s celebrations of the year.
A Stanford University graduate and veteran of years of shlichut in both the United States and Israel, activism and organization had become second nature to her. On her arrival in Tzfat, she quickly connected with the women already creating events and initiated creative celebrations for Chanukah and Purim. With her pre-Teshuva experiences of beach parties and Grateful Dead concerts, she conjured a plan to produce a beach side celebration for women encompassing an atmosphere of Torah, music and dance.
With no sponsor or capitol, Aviva was confident that ticket sales would cover the costs of the beach rental, musicians and promotion. She signed on some of Israel's most prolific female musicians- Tziona Achishena, Chava Rochel Saban and Michal Shababo- and secured a location on the Kinneret.
It's been ten years and the dream is flourishing. Women from all walks of life- singles, married and lots of mommies toting their offspring and camping gear, gather beach side for three days of Torah, music and inspiration. This year's celebration brings longtime participants and a host of newcomers eager to join the festivities.
For Tzipporah Modes, it is a welcome respite from daily life. "Last year was the hardest of my life. I had an extremely difficult pregnancy, and could not walk for three months after the birth. I was in a very low place physically, emotionally and spiritually. Without exaggerating at all, the festival changed my life. I was finally able to open up and feel free to be me and totally connected to Hashem."
Bonding with other women and attention to self care is a vital component of the festival philosophy. Says community activist Meira Roome, "The first time I came to the Tambourine Festival, I had three children under three and my husband was serving in the IDF. To say I needed some self care is a huge understatement. My neighbor told me about it and I decided to go with her for a day. I was immediately hooked, addicted to the laughter, the feminine achdus, the Torah classes- even the swimming was uplifting. I was experiencing my own personal geula, and it repeatedly brought me to joyful tears. I have gone every year since, and eventually became involved in the festival's organizational operations."
For Aviva, whose eternal optimism and fearlessness for challenge and hard work is boundless, this year of Hakel will be particularly joyful.
"Over the years, as I've internalized more the teachings of Chassidus, the kavanna of the festival has transformed to also reflect a very specific goal- to "birth Geula". The driving force behind the festival is to provide an atmosphere of joy, love and support for women to actually experience levels of quantum healing and revelation of personal truth. I'm addicted to those moments at the festival- during the improvisational dance circle jams, when I get it with my whole being that we're already birthing the Geula. Where will you be and what will you be doing when you experience that quantum shift in your reality? Step into the Circle- we're ready!
