“People call it God, some people call it inspiration. Whatever it is, that was a moment of holiness.”
“I’m going into this place with this grand man speaking far away with the cape over him…I’m sitting with this buxom woman with giant giant breasts and smelling wafts of perfume. And I’m sitting there and I’m laying on her bosom. And I’m hearing “he” and I’m saying ‘this does not compute.'” -Fanchon Shur
Watch Fanchon’s full interview here.
“Composing the last prayer of my Hallel Psalms…I made 40-50 sketches, all kinds of variations till four o’clock in the morning (until) I found the right one. In that moment I felt elation. People… call it God, some people call it inspiration. Whatever it is, that was a moment of holiness. But on a daily basis, I don’t pray.” -Bonia Shur
Watch Bonia’s full interview here.
One of the great blessings of my life is that I have come to know Fanchon & Bonia Shur. We were introduced by my friend, Rabbi Leah Cohen, when Leah was studying to become a Rabbi at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. Bonia was one of the great Jewish liturgical composers of the past century and for thirty years taught rabbinical students about liturgical prayer. His compositions are sung around the world, especially his “Kedusha” and his “Hallel.” But his younger years were spent in the socialist HaShomer HaTzair youth movement and in the Russian Army in WWII. He emigrated to in Israel in 1949 and to the United States in 1960.
The love of his life, Fanchon Shur, is a world famous choreographer, dancer, and movement therapist. Fanchon’s career has been filled with a series of provocative and healing dance pieces including the one that opened my heart to her work, “Flight, Fight, Freeze!” which used the play of animals to teach us humans about how to recover from tragedy. Fanchon and Bonia’s love of each other and passion for life and art was beyond any ordinary love and passion. Bonia died two years ago at the age of 89 and Fanchon continues to dance and teach and be the great presence she is in the universe. How grateful I am that I was able to interview them for Portraits In Faith so I can share these two wonderful individuals with the rest of the world.
Related Stories
Neshama Carlebach
New York, NY, USA
Polly Nelms
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Anna Halprin
Kentfield, CA, USA
Reb Tirzah Firestone
Boulder, CO, United States
Thank you Daniel for capturing some of my late father’s unique personality and spirit on video. With your dedication and visionary work documenting unusual, mystical and special people, we can again be touched by their essence and mission. With admiration and respect — Ahdda Shur.
Hello Fanchon!
Some years ago we did music therapy together.
At the time you suggested a good use of my skills and abilities would be to work with children. As I recall you suggested directing them in plays or some dramatic activity.
I am exploring where to best employ the spirit and strengths in me and would like to talk further about what you had in mind.
It has been years since we worked together and you made this suggestion. If these thoughts are still alive with you I would like to talk with you.
I have been a case manager and a job coach at Goodwill as well as substitute teaching where I tapped into the child in me and my clients.
I would like to hear from you.
thank you!
Christopher