[HANASHIR:12901] RE: Mishkan T'fillah

[Deborrah C. Szuch <dcszuch...>]

Both of the congregations which I serve are piloting the new Siddur.  We
have already begun using them at Am Echod, and here are comments and
observations, so far.

The congregations I serve are vastly different: Am Echod (in
Lindenhurst, Illinois) recently switched affiliations from VERY
Conservative to Reform.  They are approaching this Siddur from an
interesting perspective and so far they love it!  The other congregation
(on the North Shore in Chicago) has a long Reform tradition.  We’ve
introduced it to our teenage worship enrichment group (they help us lead
Friday night services once a month) and had some mixed reactions - some
feel that it will be confusing for their parent, grandparents, etc., and
others are happy that they put in more of the traditional prayers ("Now
the service is right!").   I'm always amazed at the depth of teenagers
when you ask them their opinions!

>From visual standpoint, the editors tried many different formats for
hebrew/english/transliteration layouts.  Until I realized that they were
trying out different ideas, I thought it was way too busy.  But, now
I've learned that they are giving us different choices.  There are some
nice layouts. 

>From a musical standpoint:  EVERY SINGLE english version of a prayer has
been designed to be set to music.  In other words, each english reading
flows so that a composer could easily set it to music.  And, they really
do.  Imagine the future compositions!!  However, in their effort to
meeting the piloting deadlines, the editors were unable to include
things like the Kiddush, Concluding Songs, etc.  This will be rectified
in the final version, but for now they are not there, which could be a
problem for congregations who are used to following words to songs in
the Siddur.

This is the most traditional Siddur the reform movement  has ever seen!
And, since it gives us choices (turn to this page if you don't want to
read the entire Sh'ma, for example) I think it might meet the needs of
many different congregations.  However, the roadmap can be confusing, at
first.  Can’t wait to hear other opinions!


Deborrah Cannizzaro Szuch
dcszuch (at) ix(dot)netcom(dot)com
Cantorial Soloist
North Shore Congregation Israel
Am Echod


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org] On
Behalf Of Meris Ruzow
Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 2:28 PM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:12831] RE: Mishkan T'fillah

Is anyone out there piloting the new uahc siddur?   I'm going through it
today for the first time as my rabbi is wondering "what we will do with
the music."  Has anyone gone through this yet?  Any comments?   Bet this
will be an exciting new thread for discussion!
Meris Ruzow
meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com


Meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org] On
Behalf Of Ellen Allard
Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 2:56 PM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:12829] New ark for tiny torahs

Dear All,

Please permit me to share something wonderful with you. I'm sure you'll
all
understand my excitement and enthusiasm.

For the last several years, I have used tiny stuffed torahs for the Tot
Shabbat service that I lead in Worcester, MA. They were stored in a
small,
cardboard box that was painted and decorated with stickers by the Tot
Shabbat kids. Last spring, I began investigating the possibility of
having a
small ark built to house the tiny stuffed torahs. I thought about
calling
the local technical high school, but really wanted to use the talents of
someone closer to home, so to speak. When I brought up the idea at the
May
Tot Shabbat service, a parent who is an amateur carpenter volunteered
his
skills. Actually, his wife volunteered her husband's skills! After
meeting
with him to discuss what I had in mind, I left the design and creation
in
his hands. I did give him some small woven baskets that I'd purchased at
a
local crafts store and explained that I'd hoped the baskets would be
used to
hold the tiny torahs. In September, he called to tell me that the ark
was
almost completed. At the next Tot Shabbat service, I asked the parents
if
they knew anyone with artistic talents who would be willing and able to
paint the doors of the ark. Once again, a Tot Shabbat parent who is a
professional artist  volunteered her skills. WOW! Explaining that I
wanted
animals and a tree to be included in the painting, and a hebrew phrase
incorporated as well, I left her to her own devices. The only other
input
she got was at the October Tot Shabbat service. She asked the children
what
animals they would like to see included in the painting. Meanwhile, I
had
emailed this list asking for hebrew phrases that had something to do
with
music. I received many replies for which I am very grateful.

Several Friday nights ago, the carpenter and artist brought their
families
to our home for Shabbat dinner. They also brought the completed ark,
which I
saw for the first time! I was thrilled and delighted beyond my dreams.
It
was the culmination of something that I had just thought about last
spring,
and here it was, a beautiful piece of art and woodwork and furniture
designed and built to honor the tiny torahs we use during Tot Shabbat.
After
dinner, we attended family services at the temple at which Tot Shabbat
is
held. The rabbi included a lovely dedication ceremony for the ark.

I have included pictures of the ark in this email. I included a picture
of
me standing next to it so that you could get an idea of its' size.
You'll
notice that on the opened ark doors, the artist painted a lovely
surprise.

It is just amazing what can happen when you dream.......

B'shalom,
Ellen
----
Peter & Ellen Allard
Specializing in Music for Young Children
***********************
For information on our award-winning recordings, children's concerts,
and
teacher workshops, visit http://www.PeterandEllen.com or call tollfree
1-888-746-4481



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