[HANASHIR:2296] Re: Adon Olam to "Trees are Blowing..."

[Judy Git <hillel...>]

I think it depends on what your setting is.  I, too, have done the "Adon Olam" 
to
"Rock Around the Clock" and "Yankee Doodle," etc. - but I've done that in a
classroom setting.  It would also work in a camp.  I would NOT, however, do that
during regular adult services.  I don't think that would be appropriate at all.
That is not to say - on the other hand - that if the melody one uses is less 
that
100 years old, it's no good to use in services.  I've heard several wonderful
melodies for the Adon Olam that would be completely appropriate, in my opinion,
for a service.  (E.g., Debbie and Carole introduced us to a Sephardic melody 
this
year at CAJE).

Orthodox services that I have attended may not have had "adventurous" melodies 
for
too many things, but there ARE some things for which I've heard wonderful 
melodies
in such a setting.  (E.g. there is a truly lovely melody that is used for the 
"Etz
Chayim Hee").

In my opinion, we need to strike a balance between old traditional nusach and 
new
melodies and perhaps vary things within our synagogues and temples so that it's
not always the same old, same old. (...or "same new, same new"...)  Yankee 
Doodle,
however, is not a melody that I would consider legitimate "nusach" in a 
synagogue
setting under any circumstances.

Well - you asked for opinions, and I'm nothing if not opinionated in this area.
:o)

Judy

Chazzzan (at) aol(dot)com wrote:

> Yes, Jess, it worked, it was cute and funny!
>
> However, I have a question for the group...and this applies to just about ANY
> prayer.  I have always been torn between "fun" songleading and "serious" or at
> least dignified, solemn prayer.
>
> Where do we draw the line.  I have often led services in Conservative and
> Orthodox settings around the country.  Most congregations don't want TOO much
> "fun" in their services. For example, most Ortho. services I have been in will
> tolerate -- and encourage -- the Kedusha sung to the tune of Erev Shel
> Shoshanim, but that's about it.
>
> Most reading I have done about Adon Olam indicate that it is a serious prayer
> and not a rousing finale for the service.  I admit I have been guilty of
> leading groups treating this  prayer rather lightly (Gilligan's Island theme,
> William Tell Overture, Dreidel song).  It is an awesome responsibility to
> transmit this body of liturgy
> to the present and next generations.  Is it OK to make whatever changes we
> want in order to "hook" our target audience?
>
> I am not making a judgment here...just asking for opinions.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Brian Serle
> now living in SUNNY Boca Raton, FLorida
>



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