[HANASHIR:3549] Re: Timing is everything (traditions, etc.)

[DurlKare <DurlKare...>]

Please excuse the length of this posting!

I agree with Neil, I agree with BEBWH (at) aol(dot)com, with all the others: 
you are 
ALL right:

1. Being positive is GREAT!
2. Teaching our tradition the traditional way is IMPORTANT.

The best thing about this list for ME (and I hope for most of us) is the 
SHARING OF OPINIONS AND INFORMATION! I do not consider anything that has been 
said preachy; no one has insisted on anything.  I think all have been very 
polite and considerate of others.  But I do think it is appropriate, that 
when someone asks, "What do you think?" that those on the list, all of us 
performers, songleaders, teachers, in our own congregations, EACH of which is 
totally different (including the vast differences within the Reform movement 
and the Conservative movement and the Orthodox movement and the other 
movements as well!) should feel free to express their opinions!  THAT and NOT 
uniform, bland agreement on everything, is what makes the list so beautiful.  
Neil, you reminded us how important, and sometimes difficult, it is, to reach 
young people and teach them to love Judaism, and yes, sometimes that means 
doing strange things at strange times.  The other writers (sorry, don't know 
your real names at the moment!) mentioned how important it is to know when 
things should be done, according to our tradition.  I personally felt funny 
having the kids at our Tot Shabbat "light candles" on Saturday morning, but 
that's what the rabbi wanted them to do.  Ok, so they learned the bracha.  
They can also learn that we are supposed to do this on Friday night. They 
probably also "light candles" in kindergarten on Sunday School mornings.  
When it is a teaching situation, I think any time is probably ok.  I am at 
least happy that these kids are learning.  I tend to lean toward more 
tradtional use of the prayers at the more traditional times, when it comes to 
"real" services.  

Learning, teaching, are the main emphasis of all my songs.  I get lots of 
criticism for my songs, too, such as a Chanukah song that mentions the 
"other" holiday and although it sometimes stings, that's a learning 
experience, too.  Let's remember that this list is about learning, and that 
includes from people with diverse opinions!  Thanks!

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