[HANASHIR:15040] Re: multiple songleaders in kids' hi-ho services

[Singalong2 <Singalong2...>]

At our HHservices, we have a Young Children's Service in our social hall. I 
often walk down the center aisle during the less liturgical songs, as in our 
opening song. In addition, before the service, I mingle with the kids. We have 
families with kids from about 1 yr to 7, and the older ones are at a family 
service in the sanctuary. At storytime, all the kids are invited up to the 
front 
to sit on the floor, and they remain there for the ending of the service. This 
works quite well.

I think it's really important for songleaders to mingle with the 
congregation. Often theses are the only services that these families attend, 
and they need 
to feel as much a part of it as possible. This really only occurs when they 
can feel some kind of personal contact with people leading.

Even at adult services, or Family Shabbat Services, I like to begin the 
service down with the congregation.

Laura Deutsch
Congregation Beth Israel
West Hartford, CT

------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+