[HANASHIR:14649] Re: Starting a music program

[Prezbimbam <Prezbimbam...>]

I have been teaching music at our Temple Religious School for quite a number 
of years, from K-7. I am only there on average twice a month, but have all the 
grades each time - not together - grade by grade. Needless to say, all the 
classes love their music time and often there are more requests than time 
permits. I am a Past President of the Temple, but this is how I continue to 
promote 
"ruach!" First of all, I am a song-leader - no cantorial voice whatsoever - 
just my guitar and lots of enthusiasm. I also am not responsible for teaching 
prayers - that's for the Hebrew teachers. I am there to promote love of Jewish 
music. Period. The older kids are incredible. I share their 7th grade 
graduation ceremony with the Cantor, but do most of the music, so that is 
mostly their 
curriculum (L'Cha Dodi (Craig T.), always a new Bar'chu and Shema, and always 
begin with Light of Hope and end with Youth Shall See Visions. In between 
we've added Rom'mu and the Craig T. prayer prior to Avot/Emahot (don't have 
songbook in front of me) - we also do World of Your Dreams (Debbie F.) as a way 
for 
all classmates to offer prayer to each other. There are some others as we see 
fit - depends on class. Our 4th grade is Israel, so Hands are Strong (showing 
my age here) and Bashanah and Hatikvah are part of curriculum. I add holiday 
songs as we go - they LOVE Jonah (Jeff/Dan) and Rabbi Joe Black's song about 
Chanukah - Ten Commandments (Jeff/Dan), and Debbie F's song about Ten 
Commandments. Our youngest: Bim Bam/Shabbat Shalom, Thank You God, David Melech 
(with 
hand movements - they LOVE this). I pick a song each year for the whole school 
that we sing at assemblies - this year was When You Give a Little Ahavah and 
the 6th grade learned it in sign language. I always do Not By Might, not just 
for Chanukah, but for ruach in general. Also - Hinei Mah Tov/Heiveinu and Hinei 
Mah Tove - responsive - very old camp version. I have NEVER had a problem with 
any grade - I show a video (Debbie F. Live) on a day when I may not be 
singing 100% and they love that as well. There is soooo much more - feel free 
to 
email me privately if you wish. Good Luck! Also - use your UAHC campers to help 
you get others involved by showing hand motions for some of the songs, etc....
Mib Hirschberg
Temple Judea
West Palm Beach, FL
(JFTY 1968-72)