[HANASHIR:8010] RE: Percussion

[Fifth Avenue <jbielan...>]

Andy,

Thanks so much.  I rarely ever post on this forum, but I read it constantly, 
because I get to learn so much.  You have just taught me facts which I never 
knew - thank you so very much.

It's funny, I just wrote in a note to an esteemed colleague about some of my 
experiences in more traditional settings, and my propensity to go 
"shuel-hopping" on the Fridays when V.O.S. does not have services (we meet 2nd 
Friday of the month plus High Holidays).

I have several wonderful friends at Chabbad of the Conejo.  I have walked to 
Friday night and Saturday morning Shabbos services several times (a new 
experience, I am not proud to say... yet utterly profound) and have filled some 
small holes in the vast void of my Jewish illiteracy.  Not only have I been 
exposed to a hint of the Chassidic experience, but I have profoundly affected 
by some of the Rebbe's teachings (see "Towards A Meaningful Life").

I am a very slow Hebrew reader.  In the time it takes me to read the Amidah 
once, everyone else in the small room (as you so accurately described) has gone 
through it repeatedly and is miles ahead.  But, as you also said, there is an 
intangible, indescribable experience in the prayer.  Often I don't know what 
I'm saying or listening to, but somehow or other I feel like I'm connecting 
with thousands of years of our heritage.. and it feels good and it feels right.

And like you said, Andy... men jump around and sing "oy yoy yoy" and grab me 
for Kosher conga lines... and I feel like my father of blessed memory, who was 
an very conservative Jew and a Kosher butcher some forty-nine years ago... is 
proud of me.

I once sat down with one of the rabbis and told him what I do with Valley 
Outreach.  I told him that I feared that he regarded me as some kind of a 
heathen.  Instead, this intensely wise man said, "....quite the contrary.  
Though I would love to see you here every Friday night, you are serving the 
Judaic purpose which God has designed for you.  It is certainly not something 
for me, but if people like you are bringing Jews back to Judaism, then it is a 
valuable purpose."

The answer to your wise question of "What comes next?", Andy, is that I don't 
have an all-inclusive answer - as I'm sure you already know.

I observe that some people just come once a month, "..get a little God" and go 
on their merry way.  What they carry with them...  I don't know.
However, I also see others who are motivated to participate and learn. In 
addition to having an astounding voice, Cantor Li-Paz is a brilliant, learned 
man and a wonderful teacher.  He was born in Israel, and is the son of a cantor.

At choir rehearsals, he teaches the choir (myself included) the meaning of what 
they are singing.  At services, he explains the meaning of the holidays and the 
rituals involved... and why we do many of the things we do.  As a result, some 
people become motivated to learn, as adults, to read Hebrew... however 
haltingly - but they learn.  Many study torah and have adult Bar & Bat 
Mitzvahs.  Two weeks ago, four middle-aged ladies
shared the bimah for a B'nai Mitzvah.  They all studied very hard, and I was 
absolutely overcome with the joy on their faces and those of their proud 
families.  Grandchildren who might not have otherwise been exposed to much 
Judaism saw their grandmothers shining and reveling in their Judaism, and I 
have to think that's a good thing.

Thanks again for enlightening me a little more.

Jack