Re: Jewish Reform Folk Liturgy.

[Chazzzan <Chazzzan...>]

I have no problem with calling this music "Jewish", because it certainly is
Jewish, in origin, intention, theme, etc.

I wouldn't call it "Reform" however.  Although some of the songs come from
NFTY camps and chapters, or other Reform organizations, they have found a
universal appeal in most Conservative and many Orthodox congregations.  I know
of two "traditional" Conservative synagogues which include Debbie Friedman's
"Misheberach" in their regular Shabbat services, and I have included some of
Jeff Klepper's and Debbie's melodies in Orthodox services I have led.  In
fact, I have introduced Doni Maseng's (forgive spelling errors) Yigdal melody
into an Orthodox shul, and they LOVE it.

If by "Folk" you mean playing guitar during the service, I guess that would
make sense.  But I have spoken with some Reform cantors who take their Friday
night music very seriously and don't consider what they do at services to be
"folk" music.

As for the term "Liturgy", I suppose you can use this to describe any melodies
used during a prayer service.  I always thought liturgy referred to those
prayers that were formally approved or canonized (or blessed by!) a particular
group, such as UAHC for the Reform, United Synagogue for the Conservative, or
siddur publications such as Artscroll, following the nusach of AriZal.   But I
guess that anything that is song in a prayer setting could be called
"liturgy".

I didn't mean to pick on your terminology; I just got a kick out of how you
had created a term for this mass of music.

How about just calling it "Jewish music"?

Beshalom,

Brian