Teens and Jewish Music

[Karen Daniel <Karen.Daniel...>]

     As a teacher of 6th graders, and mother of an 8th grader, the issue of 
     today's teens showing less than enthusiasm toward Jewish music (both 
     my own and others) is of great concern to me.  I wish to share two 
     recent stories:
     
     1)  One Sunday I decided to share one of my new Jewish theme songs 
     with my class as an intro to the lesson.  The students' lack of 
     participation was discouraging to say the least.  During a written 
     assignment at a later class, one student wrote on her paper that she 
     "shouldn't have to listen to garbage music."  I called her up after 
     class and told her how that had hurt my feelings and was inappropriate 
     to put on a paper.  She told me that I had said during one class that 
     kids today listen to garbage music, and if I called her music garbage 
     she could say the same about mine.  (Although I didn't recall making 
     that exact comment, I regretted having said whatever I said that made 
     her feel I was rejecting her.) After discussing this with the 
     religious school director, we decided that it would be best for me to 
     only sing my songs for kindergarten and grade 1.  This was very 
     discouraging, as I feel my subject matter and the length of my songs 
     are beyond that age group.
     
     2)  On an airplane with my own daughter, age 13-1/2, I asked to listen 
     to her cd, something I've done before (you know, to keep up with 
     current music???).  I was very shocked to hear loud,  non-musical 
     noise, and lots of cussing.  "Oh, I knew you wouldn't like it!" she 
     said.  I tried to contain my disappointment, trying not to make the 
     mistake I had made before of rejecting what she liked.  The group's 
     name was Smash Mouth and her stepmother had purchased it for her.
     
     
     I feel that it is important to expose our children to Jewish music, in 
     all its many styles, folk, slow, fast, dancing music, religious, etc., 
     just as we expose them to classical music, and even if it meets with 
     their disapproval. 
     
     I would appreciate any comments on this issue.
     
     
     Thanks!
     
     -Karen Daniel