[HANASHIR:8230] Re: Kol Isha

[Marsha Fensin <mfsings...>]

Dear Chevreh,
    I have a Kol Isha story I'd like to share.  I used to teach music in a local
Hebrew school and one of the Hebrew teachers into whose class I went in 
regularly
was an Orthodox rabbi who was also the community chaplain.  The first day of
class I explained to him that I would let him know when I was done.  He looked 
me
in the eye and said, " you aren't singing, you are teaching prayer" , and he
prayed quietly to himself while I sang and taught the class. But, he did stay in
class all year. His attitude opened the door for me for study and growth and
dialogue.
    However, his own rabbi, thought very differently, and would often totally
avoid me and always walked out whenever I sang anywhere in the community.
    Halacha is as Halacha does. I have noticed that it changes ever so slightly
from Orthodox shul to Orthodox shul.  It is the intent in the heart-Kavanah- 
that
is important, and I respect all Jews' rights to think and practice as they want,
even when they don't respect mine. That was a difficult lesson to learn, but, it
IS doable.
    Kol Israel Chaverim.
Marsha

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