[HANASHIR:15136] RE: just so we're on the same page...

[Adrian Durlester <adrian...>]

Definitely not yet exhausted, Erik. Perhaps because I'll use my bully pulpit
to keep it going?

Having served both large and small UAHC congregations, Erik, I still feel
that the challenges posed by Sholom and others is a valid one. Not every
UAHC congregation needs all of the services that a fully ordained HUC cantor
can provide.

I do have to agree with Sholom's basic premise. Whether in response to need
(which I will admit may have been part of the reasoning) or simply for the
sake of securing employment security, the role of the Reform cantorate has
been expanded. Not every coingregation needs someone to fill such a broad
role. Sometimes, a plain old hazzan, in the traditional sense, is all that
is needed to fit the bill.

And Burton again endorses the position I have so often taken on this matter.
Alternative methods to prepare and study for the cantorate are sorely
needed. We need 21st century thinking. Not 19th or 20th.

CAJE has always proven to be a place where artifical boundaries are crossed.
40 people, some ordained cantors, some soloists, participated in the
Cantor's Choir under the direction of Donny Maseng.  Seeing the collegial
atmosphere among all these professionals warmed my heart. There was no "you
don't belong here" in either spoken or unspoken words. Just the desire to
sing in service to Gd.

May this be a protent of the future.

B'vracha,

Adrian

Adrian A. Durlester, MTS
E-mail: adrian (at) durlester(dot)com  www.durlester.com
Director of Education & Congregational Life, Bethesda Jewish Congregation,
Bethesda, MD
www.bethesdajewish.com
Co-Director, Hazamir/JTAI Choir of Greater DC
Past Conf Chair, CAJE 27, August 4-8, 2002, Trinity University, San Antonio,
TX
List Owner, hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Jewish Songleaders/Performers List
www.ehavanashira.org
Co-Owner, l-torah (at) shamash(dot)org; Liberal Torah Discussion List




-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org] On
Behalf Of erik contzius
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 11:49 AM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:15126] just so we're on the same page...


i just want to make sure i'm communicating correctly,
because i feel that recently, i was misunderstood.

1) i could have used any other profession as an
analogy (doctor/lawyer/architect/etc.). i only chose
medicine since my wife is in that profession and we
were talking in terms of that together. the point is
that the position has changed, and with that, so has
its training. since the position requires more, the
training needs to be more rigorous.

2) the AMERICAN REFORM CANTORATE, despite anyone's
surface observations, has changed dramatically over
the last 50 years. There is a long history, and it can
be seen through the history and growth of the HUC-JIR,
SSM and through the progress and acceptance of the ACC
within the circles of the UAHC and the CCAR. in order
to relay the drastic changes and history, i would have
to deliver a short dissertation here online, which i'm unwilling to do (i
don't want to subject y'all to that kind of torture!). suffice it to say
that, within the UAHC, the position of cantor has changed dramatically.

3) i thought i had made it clear from the onset of my
comments that i was talking most specifically to the
AMERICAN REFORM CANTORATE, and nothing really of the
other branches of judaism and their respective
movements. others from other denominations on this
list may wish to comment from their respective
perspectives.

i hope that's made things a bit more clear. and now, i
defer to my friend adrian to determine whether this
thread has exhausted itself or not. :)

all the best,
erik



=====
Cantor Erik L. F. Contzius
New Rochelle, New York

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