Re: Singing Jewish music in church

[James A. Weinberg <jaw...>]

On 3/21/98 EST, Karen D. wrote:

>To all my music friends:
>
>As a new performer of Jewish music, I am always eager to perform my
>songs.....Recently I was asked to sing at a church, for pay.
>
..and there was an outpouring of ideas, mostly negative.  I'd like to share
two personal stories.  Back in Fall 1977 I was the only Jew in the concert
choir of Peabody Teachers College (now part of Vanderbilt).  We were
rehearsing a great classic work for a Christmas concert.  In October, my
wife gave birth to our second child, a daughter--Rebecca.  The choir
director made a public announcement about how wonderful it was that at this
time of celebrating the birth of a special Jewish infant, we had the arrival
of another special Jewish baby in our midst!  It was quite touching.

Second story--20 years later--I am a choirmaster/organist in both a local
(reform) synagogue and an Episcopal church.  My church choir is aware of my
Jewish background and associations, and when asked to sing "Road to
Caesarea" (Eili, Eili by Hannah Sennesh) for a mixed marriage in a Methodist
church, they rise to the task, do a beautiful job (both with the Hebrew and
the music) and beg for more!  I have also played Lewandowski organ works
around the High Holy Days as preludes in church, and never once has an
off-handed comment reached my ears.

So now I feel free to periodically bring in friends from the temple to sing
at church (one is scheduled soon to do the Stephen Richard's "R'tzei" with
our choir). Also, we are starting a tradition of an annual Passover Seder
with lamb and the works--about 25% of the congregation has purchased
tickets! I am not trying to convert them to Judaism, and they are not trying
to influence any of my Jewish guests who come in to share their talents.  I
only ask musicians to sing at the Offertory and then they are free to depart
prior to the Eucharist.  It is a valuable educational experience that can
only enhance interfaith relations. 

This may sound too good to be true, and I am not denying there is grave
anti-semitism out there.  But there is also serious anti-Christian
sentiment, which is just as damaging. I'm aware, too, that my little
Anglican church is exceptional--highly educated, broadminded people who
enjoy "mingling," as one list-member put it.  Sure, most church people are
abyssmally ignorant of their 1st century heritage, but that's not cause to
sequester ourselves and build barriers. We would be wise to let go of the
concept that all of Christendom is comprised of Holocaust-era Lutherans (or
acquiescing Catholics) and share our culture (especially music--which is so
accessible) when invited by open-minded Christians.

James W.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| James A. Weinberg, MME
| Editorial Assistant
| Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids
| Vanderbilt Engineering Sciences
| 610 Olin Hall
| Nashville TN 37240

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