Re: Hava Nashira '98 Feedback

[Chazan613 <Chazan613...>]

Josh, your comments are right on target!  May I offer my 2-cents answers to
each item?

NEW SONGS

Yes, I felt that there were fewer "new" songs for those of us who returned to
HN.  But most of them were "new" to the new attendees.  It would have been
nice to review some of the "new" songs of the past few sessions.

READING MUSIC, READING HEBREW

You are quite right.  Would it hurt to have some basic Hebrew reading
education going on at HN?  At least for the song lyrics?  As far as reading
music goes, I don't know if we can accomplish that in one weekend.  Maybe some
sessions should be designed for music readers, others not.

ISSUES ON PRAYER/JEWISH LITURGY/SOURCE TEXTS

While most of these issues are germane to group prayer and what we are doing,
would time allow us to do this?  There was quite a range of thought at this
session.  
I would like to add one comment/concern.  In two or three workshops, I heard
derogatory comments made by unnamed people that were critical of other forms
of worship than the "new American nusach".  I do not feel that we have to
"throw the baby out with the bath water."  These new songs, melodies and
prayers are quite valid and effective for most of us.  They do not require
defense by putting down the "traditional" prayer book, or "traditional"
melodies and chants.  These comments about Conservative, Orthodox, etc. only
serve to contribute to disunity among the Jewish people.

I would be delighted to be one of the "lay" educators to help others in
understanding the traditional siddur, and how we might "insinuate" Debbie's,
Julie's, Jeff's, Donny's new stuff into the traditional service.  Remember,
our goal is to draw people in...to enable them to get in touch with their
Jewish soul, and not alienate them.  I have found that these tunes have a
wonderful place in Conservative synagogues...and I have even used them in
Orthodox shuls!

I would have enjoyed hearing more about the Reform point of view on what to
include and exclude from prayers and services.  This issue came up a number of
times during traditional prayers like Aleinu, when people -- leaders included
-- weren't sure what to include, especially what Debbie F. calls the "Eentsy
weentsy spider" part ==Shehu noteh shamayim....

DVAR TORAH

Do Reform synagogues usually have a Dvar Torah every Shabbat morning?  Yes,
the parsha was Naso, and had some terrific lessons to share with us.  I am
sure that a dozen or more people could have led that session!


HAVDALAH

Why the heck didn't we move all the junk out of the way to make room for all
of us to circle?  DUH!

SIZE of HN

No way!  OSRUI has its limits.  The bayit is a wonderful space, but even 100
stretches the limits of the services there.

Unless...we broke up into smaller groups, but that wouldn't be right.

If all that attended were songleaders, size wouldn't hurt as much, but I
understand that some came just to hear the tunes.  A nice reason, but not HN's
objective...

CLOSING

Group pic is a great idea...Let's do it next time!!!

Brian