Showtime

This is blog one of two, as I catch up. 

The week before last, I was sick AND had shows. As per current protocols, one had to be performed virtually. The event benefitting Ukraine through the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York was so important to me and the show organizers. I was very much looking forward to singing with a talented young Ukrainian friend of mine who is truly an inspiration. Thankfully, Russell was able to attend. He played keyboard and sang harmony along with a prerecorded video of me as I sang along with our rehearsal recording of the Ukrainian folk song. The event was a success and I am proud to have participated.

Click here for "Ukraine in Crisis" page on jewishfederations.org

Then I was off to San Fransisco with The Original Stone City Band later in the week. It was a beautiful sunny day and perfect for an outdoor concert in the park. I love the Stone City family and got to visit with relatives too while out on the West Coast!

It was a busy and completely exhausting week which required some recuperation.

Whew!

Love,

T

The Adjustment

Our ability to adapt is so crucial to our progress. It's not always easy. I've been home for over a week now and I still feel unsettled. There's too much to do and not enough time to do it. Focus was easier without so many distractions. A million tasks surround me and they are filling in space like grains of sand in an hourglass. 

I'm going to have to prioritize and tackle one task at a time. Something has to give and I'm trying to make sure that it's not my health and well being. Everything will not be accomplished all at once. It's a test of patience.

I know I'm not alone in this. I've seen post after post on various social media platforms of people cycling through frustration, anger, depression and announcements of "taking a break" for mental health reasons. 

There's a lot going on for everyone and a lot going on in the world. We're all just trying to make it through, helping each other and ourselves as best we can. I'm reminded to have more patience, not just with myself, but with everyone. Life can be overwhelming. We have to be able to manage and feel good about that. I'm taking deep breaths and remembering that there is only so much I can do in any one given day. 

Keep going. Pace yourself. Take breaks and don't feel guilty about them. We need to secure our own oxygen masks before assisting others. 

Hey! Look at this! 

Much Love to you all...

xo,

T

The Interview

It has happened only one or maybe two times over the last few years. I have missed a blog deadline.

I forgot it was Monday.

My apologies.

I was contacted by Stephen via Facebook. It was an honor to be interviewed for his series! Thank you Stephen - and all who help and support the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇦🙏

Click here for Stephen O’Regan’s “10 Days in Krakow” - Day 5 "It's just people helping people" - Singer Tanya was compelled to come to Krakow to help.

The video…

As always, your support is appreciated for the two foundations I have been volunteering with that help house Ukrainian people and make deliveries of needed supplies to Ukraine (links below, they both accept PayPal).

Fundacja Wolno Nam

Hliniszcze Foundation

Thank you!

Love,

T

Here I Am

I am in Kraków, Poland. Yesterday I was in Ukraine.

Can that be the whole blog?

I need to prepare some more posts and there are not enough hours in the day. I want to tell you everything, but for that I may have to write a book. 

I don’t know where to start. Maybe most importantly is that when you put your mind to something, you can do anything. So follow your passions and don’t let anything stand in your way. I knew I had to come here. I found a way. Keep going. Don’t ever give up. You will get where you need to go.

My journey here started with one phone call. Soon I was on a plane and volunteering at a foundation house that helps and shelters refugees. They delivered two vans filled with supplies to four locations inside Ukraine yesterday. It was an honor to be a part of that crew. 

Click here for website of place I have been volunteering with… scroll down to PayPal link if you’d like to contribute.

There are some truly amazing people working there! 

This is the video I’m including because we turned on the radio while waiting at the border crossing back into Poland - this song was playing.

With Love,

T

Stop the Clock

If only we could hit pause... but time keeps marching on relentlessly. 

Being on the Soul Train Cruise this past week was like being suspended from all the harsh realities of the world for a bit. The scenery and weather were beautiful! People were kind and wonderful. The music was outstanding and there was pure positivity in the air. It was a miracle - a true joy to escape and recharge with laughter and camaraderie. It felt like a family reunion in the best of times.

If only we could linger in those lovely spaces forever. That would be heaven.

Returning back to life was a cruel shock to the system. Now there is so much work to do. Let's just get to it, pacing ourselves. I believe prayers and action are in order - in large supply. 

Click here for the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America - UCCA.org

With Love,

T

The Power of a Lifted Spirit

I need to focus on the songs for our shows this week on The Soul Train Cruise!

I think I'm on hour 20 without sleep. I can't help thinking that it is NOTHING compared to what life is like for people in a war zone right now. I'm keenly aware that while we are dancing, smiling and singing this week, others are living in conditions of pure hell and horror. 

I will focus and sing and share all the beautiful and joyous moments, while learning, planning and finding more ways to help. 

I've seen the way music can melt hearts and minds countless times. I know the power of song and Love. A lifted Spirit can move mountains. We can create miracles by actions. NEVER (not a word I use lightly) underestimate your power to change the world. 

Click here for my previous post "Help Ukraine."

That previous post has links for ways to help and there are many more ways to help too!

Let's go!

Love,

T

Help Ukraine

My blog time this week is dedicated to collecting sites, organizations and articles benefitting the people of Ukraine.

"Charity Navigator" rates charities and helps you find ones that pair with your passions. Here's their list of highly rated charities involved in humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine:

Click here for Charity Navigator's list

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America has a campaign assisting with humanitarian efforts:

Click here for UCCA fundraising for humanitarian efforts

The United Ukrainian American Relief Committee has set up a gofundme page:

Click here for UUARC gofundme site

The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia has set up the "War Victims and Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine" fund:

Click here for ukrarcheparchy.us/donate

Many celebrities have designated USA for UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency) as their charity of choice - providing emergency aid to families in Ukraine:

Click here for www.unrefugees.org

Several articles with information on how to better understand Ukrainian culture:

"Books to help you understand Ukraine, beyond the headlines" - theglobeandmail.com

"6 Books to Read for Context on Ukraine" - The New York Times

"The best books on Ukraine" - fivebooks.com

"9 Epic books (+1 Movie) About Ukraine to Help You Understand This Country" - roadiscalling.com

If you Google - there are many more.

Please comment with other resources, organizations, and ways to help that you have found. Love, prayers and everything else we can do to help Ukraine - it is all necessary. 

With Love...

T