[HANASHIR:10900] Re: Adon Olam to Rock Around the Clock

[David & Susan Esterman <estermans...>]

I find this discussion really interesting. In times past, one of our
volunteer song leaders (now gone to another land!) used the melody of the
Wraggle Taggle gypsies for Adon Olam. I thought then - and now - that it was
an appalling choice given all the other possibilities that exist. Someone
used it in the last month, and it had much the same effect, even though it
was sung better.
I think that if you are having a camp or a Shabbaton for kids especially,
and you want a light-hearted melody, then a pop tune could be okay, but as
part of a service I find that particular melody abhorrent.

Regarding bar/bat mitzvah kids - I certainly exercise the right to veto
their choices if I think they are inappropriate for the occasion. Our kids
lead the entire service on their bar/.bat mitxvah including reading the
Torah portion and giving a drash, so they have a lot of input, but5 our
minhag dictates what they may and may not include or exclude, and to a
degree what melodies are used. We often include lesser-known melodies if our
kids have learned them elsewhere, and in doing so raise the awareness of our
general members a little.

It is all extremely interesting.
There is also, as I understand it, a long tradition of including various
melodies to well-known prayers, and the local orthodox shul uses some
Israeli pop song somewhere in their service regularly, I think as part of
the Hashkiveinu. It feels as odd as the gypsies version, to me.!
Sue Esterman
Temple Sinai, Wellington, NZ

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of QuelliPG (at) aol(dot)com
Sent: Tuesday, 12 February 2002 6:14 p.m.
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:10898] Re: Adon Olam to Rock Around the Clock

My view about using pop tunes for adon olam aside, as I don't even have the
energy now to get into the discussion, something struck me about Beau
Shapiro's post.  In every congregation I've ever been affliliated with, (all
Conservative) the cantor was/is the one who makes all decisions about what
melodies to use in the synagogue service, often with some input, or at least
approval from the rabbi.  Since when does a bar mitzvah kid dictate what
melodies a congregation uses?  Is this a standard practice in Reform
temples?
 Are B'nai mitzvah ceremonies separate from the service where the "regulars"
attend?  Beau, you say you don't really like it, but the kid requested it so
you have to do it?  I don't know  you, and don't know whether you're a
cantor, service leader/shaliach tzibur or just a guy they hire to play a
instrument.  I don't mean this as a personal attack - I'm just amazed that a
13 year old would have that much control over what takes place at a service!

baffled in Dallas
(aka Raquel Gershon)


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