[HANASHIR:7984] RE: Percussion

[FAVNI <FAVNI...>]

To add to Rachelle's comment, several years ago I was asked to teach some of 
Shefa Gold's chants at Rosh Hashana.  (I am always a part of the service - 
with a special piece that I have shared with the congregation for 8 years.) 
At the Rabbi's suggestion -I took it upon myself to drum - since I felt 
secure enough to take the flak - and there was flak indeed - in our 
right-of-centre reconstructionist synagogue in Montreal.
It is a strange community -Montreal - conservative indeed! (in thought too). 
Though there should be no objection to the use of percussion - or instruments 
 at all for that matter, our rabbi has occasionally strummed at services - 
there are enough old-time die hards for whom it is too intrusive - and 
'tribal". I envy the congregations where it is indeed the norm - and I can't 
understand why clapping and slapping the pews/chairs, legs etc is any less a 
form of 'percussion'.
I appreciated Rachel's comments about Yemenite usage.
Fran Avni
ex-patriot Montrealer 
favni (at) aol(dot)com

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