[HANASHIR:14431] What about SPEAKING Hebrew?

[Shirona <shirona...>]

Singing in Hebrew is the LEAST we can do - and look how much debate and 
negotiation goes into just that!  

People don't realize just how much is lost, when generations of Jews have no 
real knowledge of Hebrew.  One thing we're notoriously good at - and that is 
rationalization.  We rationalize that Hebrew isn't necessary to being Jewish - 
so long as we get the "gist" of what we're praying about. (And know a couple of 
Hebrew songs...;-)   What about all the families who may be "on the fence" 
about sending their kids to a Day school...(where they would get an excellent 
foundation of Hebrew)  and end up NOT sending them to a Day school because they 
already pay alot of money in real-estate taxes... so they can be in a really 
good public school district... and don't like the idea of paying extra for a 
Day school.... Rationalization:  "We're Jewish, but not THAT Jewish".  Whatever.

I must have said all this before - but the problem persists, if not getting 
worse. In my personal life I've learned this lesson the hard way, until I came 
to realize that educating the younger generation is ESSENTIAL to our 
continuity.  Rationalizing away the importance of a SOLID Jewish education that 
includes Hebrew, the Bible, Jewish history, customs traditions and values is 
costing us dearly. One doesn't have to be "Orthodox" or "Shomer Mitzvot" to the 
T.  It's about knowledge and understanding and having a Jewish identity that 
goes beyond matzah balls and bagels.  Those who don't want to see this, 
acknowledge it and deal with it are being shortsighted, or in denial, or maybe 
they just don't care... and the very ones who will come up with the BEST 
excuses and rationalizations...(including disagreeing with what I'm 
saying...;-)  It's OK - I've already been accused of being an "Intellectual 
Imperialist"...

Sorry for getting carried away - I deal with this reality daily while making a 
living!

Shabbat Shalom,

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