Journal entry by Debbie Barford —
A musician, composer, anthroposophist, and loving human being has crossed the threshold. After three separate struggles with cancer, Channa has passed on, joining her husband Leon who died in 2005.
Channa’s biography again and again demonstrates her strength and resiliency – in the death of her father at the hand of Nazis, her “adoption” by a Christian family in Holland during World War II, her testing of her Orthodox Jewish background, her recognition of anthroposophy and the care of those with developmental differences as her life’s path, and her life-long passion for music. Channa knew the traditional path she was born into was not her individual path, and she searched for her teachers with resolve. If she was convinced that someone was a teacher who could help her along her path, she didn’t let “no” dissuade her.
Music was the soul of Channa’s life in singing, playing, composing, directing, and music therapy. When the “red threads” of her life – music and anthroposophy - joined together, Channa recognized her work.
She was the creator and director of the Camphill Village Ensemble which played in many venues, including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and she was a collaborator with renowned musicians.
Channa’s devotion to her path was consuming. When asked recently where did her path now lead, she responded, “to find my father.”
Channa leaves behind much-loved sons Andreas and Julian, their families, and two sisters, one in New York and the other in Israel.
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