[HANASHIR:4038] Re: Sh'ma

[Chazzzan <Chazzzan...>]

Rob, you bring up an excellent question, which I have often asked myself as 
well.  Attending Hava Nashira, and in reviewing most of the NFTY songbooks, I 
got the feeling that "anything goes" as far as using sacred texts orliturgy.  
First of all, I got over my initial shock that euphemisms for G-d's name were 
almost never used.  Adoshem, Hashem, Elokim were not acceptable for most of 
the interpreters and songwriters.  Second, repetition of words in prayers was 
also widely accepted. 
So, based on this, if you subscribe to the HN/NFTY approach, I don't see why 
you can't do Shma Yisrael with a swing beat, or the Kedusha with a reggae 
progression, or Kol Nidre with a hip-hop.
However, I would love to hear from the officials on this issue. Where does 
the Reform movement (or the Conservative movement for that matter) draw the 
line?  Is it OK to use any words from Torah, Tanach or the Siddur and put 
them to any melody, rhythm, etc. that we choose?

Shanah Tovah and Chag Sameach,

Brian Serle

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