For 25 years Jeannine Otis, or Jahneen as she frequently goes by in the entertainment business, has been the Director of Music at Saint Marks Church in the Bowery where she once performed live with Allen Ginsberg. A recording artist on the Warner European label, Otis is also a talented and award-winning actress, author, teaching artist, curriculum design consultant, dancer and puppeteer... There's not a lot in the entertainment industry she hasn't done, and done well. 

She recently apeared on a panel with Regina Ress and JoAnne Tucker of the Healing Voices-Personal Stories Film Company, which makes short films to raise awareness of domestic violence.The films give survivors an opportunity to tell their stories as well as to present role models for how to leave the confines of the domestic violence home and create a healthy life. Jeanine, a domestic violence survivor, is the subject of their upcoming sixth film. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and I was thrilled when she agreed to answer a few questions. 

What are you reading?

I am reading:

1. WALKING THE DOG by Elizabeth Swados (recently deceased mentor/friend)
2. CARE OF THE SOUL by Thomas Moore
3. THE TAO OF WU by The RZA
    

What three books (or other media ...movies, shows, songs) have most influenced your life.

Three books that have influenced my life:

1. ENVISIONING RECONCILIATION RITES: AMBASSADORS FOR GOD Edited by The Reverend Jennifer Phillips Church Publishing Group
2. THE PROPHET by Gibran
3. YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE by Louis Hay

I love films ........I love Ingmar Bergman's FANNY & ALEXANDER... especially the final monologue. I love the film because it explores the blurred lines between the sacred and the profane.

I know you recently were part of a presentation at the Mid-Mahattan Library for Domestic Violence Month. Do you have any books that might address this issue or be helpful to those struggling to overcome trauma?

In a very real way dealing with the trauma in life is a day-to-day challenge. I have been in therapy groups and gone for counseling. These moves are very important. It the same as having a medical doctor identify illness... Sometimes we cannot figure out all this without professional help.

Then it is important to find the most holistic approach for healing I believe, That's different for everyone.

In a very profound way one is challenged to find ways to develop a daily practice that supports us to dig emotionally as well as strengthen the spirit.
 

1. ONE DAY MY SOUL JUST OPENED UP by Iyala Vanzant
2. WOMEN'S BOOK OF CONFIDENCE by Sue Patton Thoele

You are a songwriter and edited the book The Gathering: City Prayers, City Folks.  What is your process? Or what prompts you to choose a theme?

As a writer I explore subject matter based on the issues that I am dealing with. When I am working with various groups, we write based on our theme...often the theme is related to social justice.

In 2015 I wrote a piece based on interviews from children of Migrant Farm Workers, their children, and supporters. It was performed by professionals and the children of farm workers involved in a program that helps the young people find educational opportunities.The piece was commissioned by Richard Witt who has worked for three decades for this effort. I also had the honor of working alongside Pete Seeger in a concert for this group. (I was noted on Pete Seeger's Appreciation page.) THE GATHERING is based on the work I have been doing for two decades with young people labeled 'at-risk'—actually in the book AMBASSADORS FOR GOD there is an article that I wrote that explores in detail a lot of what my emotional motivation is.

I also do and have done VERY commercial recordings. JAHNEEN, Jahneen Otis, and earlier as Jeannine Otis, but already under Jeannine Otis I began doing projects that explored issues... MAGIC SONGS for example is a recording that explores reflections on life through the lens of Eino Leino, a distinguished Finnish poet. I also worked with the distinguished Finnish composer Heikki Sarmanto.

(I have to add that sometimes bonding in community settings comes from doing the silliest things together. It builds trust!)

What role have libraries played in your life?

Libraries are a kind of sanctuary. A place to be silent and explore in our minds, travel, imagine—a place to understand what has been and to visualize to create what's next.

What celebrities or public figures are you curious about?
Whose book list would you like to read?
Let us know in the comments!