[HANASHIR:15140] RE: just so we're on the same page...

[Meris Ruzow <meris...>]

Well said Adrian.  Some of the most wonderful times are had when we can
"sing a new song," cross the boundaries and realize we're one.  Caje was
full of nice moments, it was an incredible treat to have Donny Maseng
there and the spirit in general inspires and motivates one to get back
on the pulpit, or into the classroom or community.   Now if we could
just catch up on some sleep................
Be well,
Meris Ruzow 

Meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org] On
Behalf Of Adrian Durlester
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 8:48 AM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:15136] RE: just so we're on the same page...

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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------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org -----------------------+
Hosted by Shamash: The Jewish Network  http://shamash.org  
A service of Hebrew College, which offers online courses and an
online MA in Jewish Studies, http://hebrewcollege.edu/online/ 

* * FREE JEWISH LEARNING * *
Shamash invites you to join MyJewishLearning.com, a comprehensive,
objective, authoritative and interactive learning resource in all areas
of Judaism.  Free membership via http://www.myjewishlearning.com/shamash
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