Re: Re: Adon Olam

[QuelliPG <QuelliPG...>]

I respectfully disagree, Neil.  As I just wrote to Rick, I think that the
kavannah is much more important than the words.  (maybe I'm just a chassid at
heart)  Not that we don't want our students to learn the words.  Absolutely we
do.  And sure, go ahead and use a catchy upbeat tune.  Uzi Hitman's tune is
FUN!  It's silly.  I don't really think it captures the feeling of the text,
but it was  WRITTEN FOR THOSE WORDS!  I don't picture Bob Denver and Alan Hale
when I sing it!  There are lots of other tunes (or you can make up a simple
one of your own) that can be used to teach the words, without cheapening them!
I agree that music is the best way for many people (including myself) to learn
words, history facts, spelling words, foreign languages, and countless other
things...I still can name all the Torah portions in order because of a song I
was taught as a child in day school!  And Schoolhouse Rock is another
excellent example!  But I don't want kids to memorize prayers.  I want them to
learn to read Hebrew and read the prayers.  And I want them to be thinking
about what they're saying as they say/sing the prayers!  The object of praying
in Sunday school or Junior congregation on shabbat is not just to have a good
time.  It's to have a meaningful time.  AND the critical  key to good praying
with kids is having adults who are praying their guts out.  Sit in a circle.
Wrap yourself in your talit.  Shuckle. close your eyes.  sing loud.  pray like
you personally are going to bring the mashiach!  You'll find that your
students will follow suit or at least you will have gotten their attention and
made an impression on them that prayer is meaningful and important to you.
I've seen many a class where the teacher is sitting at his/her desk and the
kids at theirs and they say Ok, now we're going to do tefillot.  turn to
page...  and then spend the whole time disciplining or walking around
reminding kids to sing etc.  If the teacher isn't praying why should they?  
oops, I'm getting carried away...it's late.  My husband and I do a whole
workshop on bringing spirituality into the religious school setting and I
could go on and on...
Raquel