Episode 38: Words from my Heart (with Evelyn Goldfinger)

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What’s in your heart?

We’re so honored this week to be joined by educator extraordinaire Evelyn Goldfinger! Evelyn is a spiritual leader, performer, storyteller, and author, most recently of “Words from my Heart,” a hands-on prayer book for kids. In addition to sharing insights into her incredible new book, Ms. Eve also delivers her t’fillah journey in four acts, explores how prayer and theater are connected, and sings a sweet prayer song for healing in Hebrew, English, and Spanish. She also spontaneously prays for the internet to come back in the most beautiful way! 

How might you share the words from your heart?

(0:37) Check out our new website here! 

(0:43) Check out Hannah Pearlman’s designs here!  

(1:55) You can sign up for The Light Lab Class here!

(2:57) You can support Eliana’s new albums here. 

(3:15) Learn more about Evelyn Goldfinger (Ms. Eve) here and Torahtron here. You can find her on Facebook here and Instagram here. 

(3:27) Teatron - תיאטרון - theatre. 

(3:58) You can find The Shabbat Treasure here, and Words From My Heart here. Both are by Evelyn Goldfinder. 

(6:15) Shtik - שתיק - gimmick (Yiddish) 

(6:16) Brachot - ברכות - blessings

(6:35) Learn more about Shema Al Hamita - שמע על המיטה - Bedtime Shema - here.  

(16:11) Ensayo - rehearsal (Spanish) 

(20:44) Lehitpalel - להתפלל - to pray

(23:44) Besheret - בשרת - meant to be

(25:44) B’tzelem Elohim - בצלם אלהים - created in G?d’s image. Learn more here. 

(26:59) Evelyn is paraphrasing a quote from Rob Marshall: “When movement isn't enough, you dance, or when speaking isn't enough, you sing…”

(27:18) “Praying with my legs” is a quote from Abraham Joshua Heschel. Learn more here.

(28:33) Bimah - בימה - platform from which services are led. Learn more here. 

(31:14) Shamash - שמש - helper candle. Learn more here. 

(32:38) Learn more about the Baal Shem Tov here.

(32:39) Zichrono livracha - זכרונו לברכה - May his memory be for a blessing. Learn more here. 

(34:00) Tefillah halev - תפילת הלב - prayers of the heart. 

Avodat halev - עבודת הלב - service of the heart. 

(40:00) Todah - תודה - gratitude 

Bevakasha - בבקשה - please, asking for help 

Slichah - סליחה - sorry 

Teshuvah - תשובה - asking for forgiveness 

Hallelujah - הללויה - awe 

Shema - שמע - listening to the words in our hearts (Evelyn’s interpretation) 

(41:38) Lyrics and chord sheets for Evelyn's song “Na Na Na Na El Na” can be found here. 

(42: 16) Sana, sana - heal, heal (Spanish)