Vezakeni Legadel by Franciska
“There is nothing more complete than a broken heart” - Rabbi Nachman M’breslav
I composed and dedicated a new song after experiencing a painful loss.
In an interview with Miriam Grunhaus on my podcast one year ago, she introduced me to the concept of kintsugi. “In Japan, when pottery breaks it is often restored with gold, accentuating the flaws and celebrating its imperfections. This makes the pottery more unique, beautiful and strong.” Miriam started a fashion line which reflects the philosophy of kintsugi..”We are each a unique work in progress and are beautiful not despite our circumstances but because of them.”
I am wearing the black dress from this fashion line in the music video to convey the journey of life, the gold lines are wrinkles which reflect the passage of time, growth, wisdom, life experience, pain and challenge and sometimes loss.
I play a mother to a little girl who grows up as the video progresses. We show the journey of life with the golden kintsugi lines representing age and beauty at the same time.
I was inspired by Miriam to embrace my pain and turn it into strength. I chose the words of the prayer we recite every friday during candle lighting as we enter into the Holy Sabbath.
This song and this music helped to heal my broken heart.
Lighting candles on Friday night is a moment that I always feel deeply connected to G-d along with women all around the world as we pray to the One Above for all our deepest wishes. The idea is, we never stop praying, it can start with praying to have children, but to those blessed with children, the prayer does not end there. Mothers want their children to be healthy, to be good people, learn Torah and practice good deeds.
I hope this drama filled short film brings to light the words of "Vezakeni legadel banim uvnei banim….. Ana shma et t’chinati bizchut Sarah v’Rivka Rachel v’Leah - imoteinu".
So many feelings, so much love from so many women, yet so much resistance and shame.
Dear woman, girl, sister, mother, grandmother maybe even father and husband - I release this to you!
Footnote: Quote from MikahFashion.com, The Friday night candle lighting prayer.
Song composed, produced & performed by Franciska
Edited by Kibwe Luke 12Keyz, Mixed by Hillel Kapnick
@ Uptop Studios (Monsey, NY)
Video Directed by Chris Cole