Re: Teens and Jewish Music

[Chazzzan <Chazzzan...>]

Karen, you are so right!  I usually teach 7th and  8th graders (my youngest
child is the same age), and they are listening to a variety of music.  Some of
them even listen to the Beatles, Beach boys and other classics.  And most of
the others listen to some stuff that cannot in any way be called "melodious"!

However, I am forced to recall my own parents' consternation at our musical
tastes when WE were teens.  We must do nothing to disparage the values of our
students, unless we want to alienate them.  However, I believe that the
parents can help by not buying this "garbage" for them.  But who am I to
talk...my kids work, then spend some of their money on CDs.

What HAS worked for me is writing parodies with Jewish themes, but based on
music the kids like...such as "Smells Like Teen-Spirit" by Nirvana...new name
"Smells Like Green Tchulent".  Or how about "Heart-Shaped Box" changed to
"Ear-Shaped Hat" for Purim?  

Anyway, once I had them singing along with songs they knew, then I sprung the
traditional Purim songs on them, and it worked GREAT!  So it is really a 2-way
street!
Brian