[HANASHIR:4634] Re: Rabbi Eric Yoffie's Sermon at the Biennial

[Ketzev2 <Ketzev2...>]

Friends--

I just returned from Orlando where I heard Rabbi Yoffie's sermon. You could 
"feel" the positive energy in the room as he spoke. I agree with 98% of what 
he said about worship, and especially about music. It was interesting that 
his speech was juxtaposed over a rather middle of the road service with NO 
cutting edge music included at all! Only Craig's "Adonai Sifatai" was in 
there, but only sung through twice, so the power of the song never 
materialized. What a shame...

The only reality he failed to mention is that these changes will vary from 
congregation to congregation, depending on the Cantor, Rabbi and the overall 
philosophy of each individual shul. We must realize this is different at each 
place and recognize that there is no one set answer here. The challenge here 
is to find the balance that will work in each of our temple's and to maintain 
the traditional with the contemporary as well as nusach. This is the key for 
me. We need to include all three elements for it to go forward. We need to 
embrace the future of Jewish music, but not at the total expense of our past 
musical heritage. That to me is the essence of the whole discussion.

As far as Adrian's call for a wider recognition of contributor's to the 
musical "pot", maybe one, or even two of Craig's samplers could feature new 
synagogue music (Craig, are you listening?) and we could start to spread our 
songs and talent that way. I don't know how fast this initiative of Rabbi 
Yoffie will take place, or how quickly any of our music might be adopted, be 
this is a HUGE step in the right direction, don't you think?

Just my impressions...

Steve Dropkin 

 

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