[HANASHIR:14406] Re: Kids' Songs

[Shirona <shirona...>]

As teachers we're faced with a huge task.  Not only do we have to instill in 
these kids Jewish knowledge, values, spirituality, identity... we have to 
create an anti-dote to the garbage popular culture they are force-fed 24/7 in 
this enlightened society of ours.

Shirona
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Singer, Songwriter and Teacher of Jewish Music
 Visit my website at    www.shirona.com
Listen to my music at www.mp3.com/shirona
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: rahel 
  To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
  Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 9:00 PM
  Subject: [HANASHIR:14401] Re: Kids' Songs


  At 08:50 PM 5/21/2003 +0000, you wrote:

    What are we teaching our children if we only use Jewish music?  Do we want 
to see our kids grow up isolated from the world (to exaggerate)??  

  I think the real question is why are we sending our kids to a JEWISH camp? Or 
JEWISH Sunday, Day or Hebrew school?????? Is it so that they can learn JEWISH 
music or folk, pop and other music that they hear all around them in their 
secular non-Jewish worlds? Last year I was songleader in a Jewish camp. I was 
shocked to find that I was to be playing the songs you mentioned (Circle Game, 
Cats in the Cradle, Jet Plane etc.)  - first of all because - talk about a time 
warp - or living in an isolated world?!?!?!?! Secondly - why the heck were the 
kids in a Jewish camp anyway???? And forgive me for being appalled at finding 
those same songs in the Shireinu chordster - but WHAT THE HECK ARE THOSE SONGS 
DOING IN A JEWISH SONGBOOK ANYWAY???? I truthfully could not believe my eyes. 



    I see camp as an opportunity to teach them the value of music in general, 
and to expose them to artists that they might not get the chance to sing in 
school. 


  So why not try teaching them some songs from Jews around the world - India, 
Ethiopia, Yemen, Africa, South Africa, Australia etc. etc. - and in those 
languages????!!!! American kids - Jewish or not - are hardly exposed to 
anything world - oriented - let alone JEWISH world music!!!

  Which brings me back to the American (Jewish) vacuum. Talk about isolation....

  Why aren't Jewish songs from around the world included in the Shireinu 
editions INSTEAD OF those outdated old folk and pop songs????  Even *I* (who 
was a true blue folk/pop loyal) have outgrown those songs already. 


  So It's about helping the campers to find the type of music that they enjoy, 
Jewish or not, and working with them to develope a life-long love for the 
artform.  I would much rather have a child be excited about coming to music 
because he enjoys singing Leaving on a Jet Plane, amidst the Bayom Hahu's, than 
not want to come at all.

  The campers I taught last year sang those songs in such a warped and hyped up 
manner. I had no control over  the kids once they went at them. If you want to 
teach the kids to appreciate music - well.... I really have to wonder if the 
kids had any idea about the songs they were singing. For example, I started to 
sing Circle game just like Joni Mitchell - open tuning and all. The kids looked 
at me like I was from another planet. In fact, I probably was. After all - I 
remember when those songs became hits. In fact - I own the vinyl! But the kids 
had no idea where these songs came from. And they certainly weren't interested 
in finding out. All they wanted to do was sing them fast, loud and do silly 
movements to them. talk about butchering the music. 



  Rahel


  "It is a great mitzvah to be happy all the time." - Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
  "The Holy One, blessed be He, will be the Head of the dance circle of the 
tzaddikim in time to come." 
  - Yerushalmi Succah, Lulav veAravah and Vayikra Rabbah 11 end

  www.geocities.com/rahelmusic, www.geocities.com/bneishalom