[HANASHIR:2558] Re: Adonai S'fatai

[Darcie N. Shapiro <dshapiro...>]

Hi-

I just wanted to respond to the idea that in Reform services, "ANYTHING
GOES." It is true that a synogogue, youth group, camp, etc, does not need
to follow Gates of Prayer; many have their own siddurim or use photocopied
"creative services" on occasion.  However, that is not to say that there
are no guidelines.  The leaders of the Reform movement have, over the
years, made very concious decisions about which parts of the liturgy to
leave in tact, which to leave out, and which to change.  Although not all
Reform organizations or individuals always abide by these decisions, I
believe that these decisions of the movement - consciously or
unconsciously - do have a large impact on prayer services.

As a songleader, I feel it is of the utmost importance to understand our
liturgy, both traditional and Reform, what the differences are, and why
they are there.  My knowledge of what the prayers mean and what their
place is in the service helps me choose appropriate melodies and to
sing/play them in appropriate ways.  I also always try to bow, stand, sit,
etc at the correct times, or if not, have a reason for that choice.  Many
people are not sure of this choreography and therefore look to the service
leaders for their cues.  Songleaders are teachers, and I feel it is
important to remember this while deciding how to lead services.

I tend to ramble....  But I suppose my point is that Reform
services make changes from the traditional, and no two Reform services are
necessarily the same, so it can appear that there is no structure.
However, changes are (hopefully) the result of learning (about both
traditional and Reform practices) and careful thought.  My hope is that
songleaders and service leaders pass along their knowledge and
explanations of their decisions to their congregations so people will
understand the whole process to change - and that there is a process!!!

-Darcie Naomi

Darcie Naomi Shapiro '01
Wesleyan University
Box 5107
222 Church Street
Middletown, Connecticut
06459

EVERYONE'S A NOVELIST
AND EVERYONE CAN SING
BUT NO ONE TALKS WHEN THE T.V.'s ON...
-Moxy Fruvous, "Bittersweet"

On Mon, 22 Mar 1999 Chazzzan (at) aol(dot)com wrote:

> 
> What I don't understand  - and somebody please clue me in on this -- since
> this is primarily a Reform discussion group, and Hava Nashira is sponsored by
> OSRUI, a Reform organization, then why are we frequently agonizing here over
> what is appropriate and what is not?  Please correct me, but my exposure to
> Reform services and prayer over the past 6 years, and talking to people from
> Reform congregations all over the country, has led me to believe that ANYTHING
> GOES in Reform services.  Nobody demands that you follow Gates of Prayer or
> any prescribed liturgy.  It is up to the local congregation/rabbi to decide
> what is acceptable and what is not.  I am assuming that people in this group
> are asking others for their opinion because they would like to introduce NON-
> traditional elements to their service.  Is that correct? 
> 
> For example, I attended one service in New Jersey, where the service was
> composed almost entirely of the New American Nusach, a la Taubman, Klepper,
> Silver, Friedman.  The service was very moving and fulfilling, but had no
> connection at all with any traditional or even Reform siddur.  
> 
> Anyway, that is my two cents.
> 
> Brian in Boca
> 
> 
> 

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