FW: hanashir

[Janet . PAPE <Janet.PAPE...>]

> ----------
> From:         PAPE Janet, ENV/PC
> Sent:         Friday, 06 March, 1998 10:14AM
> To:   'durleste (at) plains(dot)NoDak(dot)edu'
> Subject:      hanashir
> 
> 
> I am responding to the age-old discussion on "traditional" settings
> vs. newer ones.  Of course, every generation redefines "traditional".
> I find it amusing that there has been mention of this "traditional"
> v'shamru - one which I found new and modern when I started leading
> congregations in the 70s.  
> 
> It is comforting to hear standard, familiar, melodies when one is out
> of one's home town congregation.  Yes, the prayers are always
> recognizable, even if they are in another language.  But the music is
> non-verbal, and goes deeper than the words.  We have a responsibility
> to conform (not always, but to some extent) with a standard repetoire,
> whether it be late 19th early 20th century German, Hasidic settings,
> Israeli folk settings, or American Reform (and my case, French
> sephardic).  My choice is to offer a mixture of all, but to be
> consistent and not to present so many different settings that regular
> attendees no longer know the old favorites.  When people come to
> services, they come for many different reasons - rejoicing, mourning,
> socializing, meditating, repenting, obligation, etc.  The music has to
> offer something for everyone, what several generations would call
> "traditional" or familiar to them.
> 
> Janet Pape, Paris
> janet(dot)pape (at) oecd(dot)org 
> 
> 
> 
> >1) Yes, you hit the nail on the head!  The question is how do we
> <want our
>  >children to remember Adon Olam.  The other tunes are fine
> <>why not let them know what the traditional tunes are first and
> <foremost?Brian
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------
> >When I sing a traditional melody -- especially powerful > as a child
> -- I >feel connected to my ancestors.  Like so many of us
> >who are now committed Jews I questioned and challenged my connection
> for
> >some years in my teens and early adulthood.  It was always the
> traditional
> >music that brought me home to who I really am. I feel it is in my
> heart and
> >soul.  I endeavour to pass this on when I am teaching a song to
> Jewish
> >children. 
> 
> >At the same time I rejoice in the music of Jeffrey Klepper, Debbie
> Friedman
> >and other talented songwriters and sing their songs whenever
> possible.  The
> >intent of the composers to illuminate concepts and to bring us closer
> to
> >G-d is so obvious. They never trivialize. Gilligan's Island does.
> 
> Rachelle Mingail Shubert
> Montreal
> ----------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
> 
>