[HANASHIR:8449] Re: Use of Hashem or Ad-nai

[Carol Boyd Leon <cbleon...>]

It's interesting to me that Karen was criticized for using "Hashem" in her 
"Y'varechecha."  I was criticized for using "Adonai" in my "Shalom Shabbat 
Shalom," a song designed to teaching the Shabbat blessings to children.  
(The criticism, which was more along the lines of questioning, came from an 
Orthodox rabbi whose female assistant had listened to the recording.)

I agree with Karen and Steve.  Write the song as it feels right to you.  And 
accept that, depending upon where it's sung, you or others may choose to 
change some words.

Last Friday night, a 3rd grade class sang "Shalom Shabbat Shalom" and 
"Consecration Day" at their Consecration service.  It was not at my own 
temple and it wasn't Reform; I attended the service as a guest of the 
religious school.  Although no words had been changed (and the class did 
beautifully!), I would have felt quite comfortable if they'd made some 
substitutions as long as the overall meaning of each song remained as I'd 
intended.

-- Carol Boyd Leon, Burke, VA
Songwriter, Songleader, Music Teacher
Director of Youth and Teen Choirs
www.geocities.com/CBoydLeon
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