[HANASHIR:4798] Re: Part-time cantorial study

[QuelliPG <QuelliPG...>]

Emily, true, most people in the US have private parties for their family and 
friends for life cycle events, including an often costly meal, where 
strangers and other non-invited guests would probably not be welcome due to 
the cost and amount of food ordered.  However, Jewish tradition is that it is 
a mitzvah to participate in lifecycle events and in theory all are welcome to 
attend - at least the event, if not the meal.  It is customary not to send 
invitations to a bris or a funeral - the news is spread by word of mouth and 
all who know the baby's family or the deceased's family just show up... in 
the case of a wedding, you certainly could slip into the ceremony (dressed 
appropriately) and just not stay for the dinner if you are looking to learn 
and observe how it's done... have you tried calling local cantors or rabbis 
or mohalim and asking whether you could tag along with them???  

-Raquel

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