[HANASHIR:5637] Re: Shabbat service songs

[Emworobey <Emworobey...>]

I agree with Janeen.  In my last posting I described an experience I had 
subbing at a large congregation.  What I neglected to say is that although it 
was an interesting experience and the congregation was totally into it, for me, 
personally, I thought it went overboard.  I would have preferred to have saved 
some of the energy for the concluding song which was a little bit lacking in 
spirit, I thought.  We did the French Sephardic Adon Olam, which I really like 
but I think by then the congregation was worn out.   During the pre-service 
"song session" I attempted to create a calm space but everytime I tried, the 
Rabbis would give me hand signals to keep up the energy or one would come over 
to me and whisper in my ear ("Do another fast one" or "something more upbeat!")
  The Mi Chamocha was the same way.  Before the Mi Chamocha we did Debbie's 
Miriam's Song and the Rabbis pulled out tambourines and again went out into the 
congregation.  Everyone sang and clapped along.  It kind of blew me away 
because at my regular congregation we do a kind of low-key Mi Chamocha that 
could almost put you to sleep, although it's very pretty.  It really blew me 
away.  Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Emily Worobey

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+