[HANASHIR:14694] Re: secular music

[Amy Fried, Ph.D. <jdkrheum...>]

First, the process: I'd like to clarify at leat my response - if you
recall, I said that all sides could be more constructive - and I'm glad
to see that that has happened. However, I believe that many of us
particularly responded to a list member being "invited" off the list.

Now the content: I think the question of what is truly "Jewish music" is
a fascinating, and not always easy one to answer. Yes, there has always
been borrowing from the secular culture. I think the challenge we have as
educators, is to make a connection to whatever we are introducing, to
something Jewish. I loved Sholom's example. Take the song "Imagine." It
could have been a great opportunity to talk about why some might turn
away from religion because of its misuses, and how liberal Judaism
addresses those issues. 

When you introduce a secular song, you're doing it for a reason. But
you're also drawn to Judaism and to this list for a reason. Somewhere in
your head is a connection to your Jewish heritage & values, and that
secular song. But that connection isn't obvious to your students. I think
that it might be worth the extra effort to try to explain to the kids
what that connection is.

Shabbat Shalom, 
Amy

On Thu, 19 Jun 2003 22:35:34 -0400 "Joseph H. Firestone"
<jfire (at) amflpc(dot)com> writes:
> Dear Listmates:
> 
> I must say as I read the posts on secular music I am perplexed.  
> Perhaps it
> is simply because I am a newbie to this list.
> 
> But as I recall, this thread began because someone inquired whether 
> and how
> listserv members use secular music.  Some members explained that 
> they use
> secular music in a variety of settings.  They even were so kind as to
> indicate which pieces of music they use, and which recordings of 
> those
> pieces they like to listen to.  I read all of this with some 
> interest and
> appreciation for their sharing.  The next thing I read, however, is a
> sarcastic, ad hominem attack on these kind people (e.g. ?Oh please. 
> . . .?)
> Then, instead of the attacker being called to task, he is supported 
> by
> others ? some gently, others not so gently.  To paraphrase Tom 
> Paxton, I can
> ?t help but wonder where we?re bound.
> 
> I am also left wondering what is the definition of Jewish music.  
> After all
> the Hava Nashirah song that we sing is based on a tune of Joseph 
> Hayden?s.
> Do we cast it aside as not Jewish enough?  In fact the foundation of 
> most of
> the choral music that we perform is western church music.  Do we 
> scrap it
> and begin again?  If Debbie Friedman, any other Jewish folk music 
> composer,
> composes a piece with an English text that is not a direct religious 
> text
> translation, is it Jewish music?  Isn?t our folk music tradition 
> inspired by
> the ?American? folk tradition?  Conversely, if Pete Seeger does a 
> piece of
> music inspired by biblical text, is it Jewish music?  And how about 
> Israeli
> popular music that is not ?prayerful,? is that Jewish music?  (e.g. 
> BaShanah
> HaBa-ah comes to mind).  How about using music because it is good and
> conveys an important, significant and relevant message?
> 
> In closing, thank you to those who shared.  I plan on checking out 
> the music
> you presented to us.  To those who choose to attack, please use your 
> delete
> button instead.
> 
> Joe Firestone
> 
> Joseph H. Firestone
> Amberg, Firestone and Lee, P.C.
> 24300 Southfield Road, Suite 101
> Southfield, MI 48075
> mailto: jfire (at) amflpc(dot)com <mailto:%20jfire (at) amflpc(dot)com>
> 248-559-8110
> 248-557-9522 (fax)
> 

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