[HANASHIR:12832] Re: Adding Pro Singers To Choir

[Jaugshir <Jaugshir...>]

I realize I'm a little late on this comment.  The thread is old and dusty by 
now, as I attempt to catch up on my e-mail.  I do want to add my two shekels 
. . .

I have been a part of our synagogue's volunteer choir for approx. 16 years.  
During that time we have seen some changes and some challenges thrown at us 
by the political environment of the congregation.  All of the current choir 
members are members of the congregation.  Not all of them are officially 
Jewish (although they are committed members of our Jewish community and 
raising Jewish children).  We are joined by professional section leaders for 
the Days of Awe.  Our professionals are not Jewish.  They are, however, part 
of our family.  They have been singing with us for years, have cared to learn 
about the meaning of what they are singing, and add their prayers to our own 
in a way that sustains and bolsters our choir and congregational community.  
For me the beautiful spirits they bring with their beautiful voices far 
outweighs the objections to having non-Jewish voices in the choir.

Many years ago our board passed a resolution that volunteer choir members had 
to be congregants.  I think this was a mistake as it effectively evicted some 
very dedicated choir members and created hard feelings among others that had 
been singing side by side with them for years.  We survived that crisis and a 
few others since the, but my vote is always to err on the side of 
"inclusiveness" rather than "exclusiveness."  

This is an "insiders" view, from one who has been singing in this choir for 
about 16 years.  If people are willing to dedicate their time and hearts to 
enhancing prayer through music, there should always be a place for them in 
the choir.

--Judith Golden, 
       Choir member,  Congregation Solel in Highland Park, IL