ABSTRACT
Today the retreatants are treated to Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Like Rabbi Gelberman who spoke two days before, Shlomo (as he is commonly called) is both a representative of the Jewish tradition and a teacher for people of all faiths. He too incorporates many aspects of the Jewish tradition, chief among them the Hassidic. But perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he embodies that tradition, because – like the Hassidim of Europe – his presence is vital, exuberant, physical and heart-felt. His talking is mostly story telling, and singing and dancing are as much his way of teaching as is talking. Many of the songs he sings are of his own composition, and all of them come from the heart. Many people said that he was a Jewish Santji, as both he and Sant Keshavadas radiated the same Bhakti approach, alternating their spoken words with songs in which everyone would join, and bringing their listeners to a state of tremendous exuberance and feeling. In fact, there was a great deal of concern on the part of the staff of the retreat that the wooden structure of the satsang hall (though solid) might not withstand (literally) the rhythmic jumping and dancing that Shlomo induces in his audiences. But it did survive quite well, and everyone shared in a time of spontaneous group feeling and expression that was unique.
