KAVANAH

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Kavanah is Intention. It is the seed of every mitzvah, the cry behind every prayer.

Kavanah is what takes a routine act and makes it sacred. Kavanah is the intention that transforms habit into ritual. I’ve spent the past eleven months saying kaddish for my father – and I’ve discovered something. It’s not the words we say nor the regularity with which we say them; it’s not how fast we davven nor in what language; it’s not the depth at which we can meditate and it’s not the journey nor even the way we treat our fellow travellers. To behave ethically, morally; to treat your fellow humans and the environment with kindness and care may make you a mensch, but it’s the intention behind your behavior that determines the degree to which your own soul will grow.

“Everything is in the hands of God except reverence for God.” (Berachos 33b)
What this means is that our intentions are critical. The only thing that is not determined by divine grace is what we choose to focus on. “Y’hei sh’mei rabba m’varach, l’alam ul’almei almaya.” May God’s great name be blessed forever and ever. If that’s our focus, if our intention is to praise God’s name and live for something greater than our own egos, then every mundane thing we do is more than what it seems. Then we will accomplish that which we are each meant to accomplish.

These songs are my kavanot, my intentions. I offer them for their own sake; and in memory of my father, Mordechai ben Avraham Menacham Mendel; and in gratitude to my family – my brothers, my sister, my mother, my kids, and mostly, my wife, Mary, whose presence in my life makes all of this possible.

Produced by Randy Leipnik at Semper Records, Oak Park, MI
© 2002 Steve Klaper/Ashira Music (BMI)
*Ki Eilecha by Shirona © 2000 Shirona (ASCAP)

Design by The Write Stuff, Inc.

1. Li Ata (You Are Mine)

2. Esa Anai (Psalm 121)

3. B’yado
(Into Your Hands)

4. Candle

5. Karov Hashem

6. Ki Elecha*

7. Hallelu

8. L’cha Dodi

9. Psalm 131

10. Eil Chai V’kayam

11. Shalom Rav

12. Mi Chamocha

13. L’dor Vador

14. Nafshi Iviticha

Steve Klaper:
Guitars, vocals,
harmonica, charango

Caitlin M.G. Klaper:
Vocals

Judy Lewis: Vocals

Phyllis Miller: Vocals

Larry Shlom:
Bass guitar

Dan Kolton:
Bass, cello

Randy Leipnik: Keyboards

Paul Vornhagen:
Tenor & soprano sax,
flutes

Nikki Puroff: Violin

Jamie Rusling: Percussion

Stories!  Melodies!  Adventure!

“...really lovely. I particularly enjoyed the creative melodies and playful use of lyrics ...the feel and production are great!”

Craig Taubman

“...Caitlin’s smooth, clear voice displays a vocal maturity well beyond her years...The disc provides listening pleasure and is a great resource for songleaders looking for new songs.”

Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, Jewish Entertainment Network

STEVE KLAPER  •  CAITLIN M.G. KLAPER