[HANASHIR:4685] Re: choir names and uniforms

[BEBWH <BEBWH...>]

In a message dated 12/26/1999 2:17:24 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
notfranz (at) total(dot)net writes:

<< Did anyone see the wonderful PBS program, A Taste of Chanukah?  There was 
an
 amazing black gospel choir singing a Hebrew/English version of Not By Might
 (not Debbie's).   The members of the choir each wore black plus a beautiful
 open silk scarf hanging to about waist level.  The scarves were contrasting
 designs and colors but looked amazing together.  I would think tallit would
 be even more beautiful.
  >>
I did see that tape and found it to be very distressing. Although the music 
was very well done that's no surprise considering the magnitude of the 
project. Hosted by Theodore Bikel and staged in some very nice theater 
somewhere I commented to those watching it with me that this show was more 
than likely the only Chanukah "experience" or "observance" many in the 
audience would have this year. Although it was better than no experience, I'm 
not sure its better than zero observance.  This made me wonder how many of 
our choirs or us as individuals do the same thing the other way? I found the 
pursuit of the interfaith message through the use of a gospel choir to help 
provide the "Jewish" component of Chanukah to be upsetting and wondered if 
anyone else felt likewise?  I think that most of us shy away, OK lets hope we 
outright refuse, to participate ourselves or to let our choirs participate in 
Christmas programs, be they in churches or otherwise,  so why do we feel we 
need a gospel choir, great as they were, to help us make Chanukah? This 
holiday, of all the holidays we have, can really deliver a message to 
strengthen Jewish identity...I thought we are trying to accomplish that 
between writing parts, organizing rehearsal schedules and playing the 
politics of institutional and community leadership. I think we should keep 
trying to make Chanukah a Jewish holiday. By bringing interfaith overtones to 
it  we are taking an apologetic position or telling ourselves (our 
congregations)?  there is some interfaith basis for shared observance. There 
is not.  If non Jews like the concept of the miracle of Chanukah ... 
great...but it's the wrong miracle...The miracle of Chanukah is not about the 
oil, it's that we survived! The message of Chanukah is that we the little 
guys were victorious over the big strong NON JEWISH majority around us. We 
did not choose to assimilate and we were successful in maintaining our 
Judaism!!!  To Joe Goldberg Congregant, Chanukah means he should be 
comfortable to say no thank you to a ham sandwich served at a business 
meeting...to Rachel Schwartz Teenager, Chanukah means she can be proud to say 
she won;t cheerlead on Friday night, and to Mrs. Carol Rosenberg, Working 
Jewish Mom with five carpools, grocery shopping and a house to manage on top 
of a full time job, Chanukah should give her the confidence to ask to leave 
work alittle early on winter Fridays to be home in time to light candles. Are 
the messages to "be Jewish" and to "do Jewish" not the messages we want to 
send? Chanukah can be one of many opportunities that come to us on the Jewish 
calendar that saturates us with the strength to be practicing Jews the rest 
of the year. The menorah goes in the window to publicize the miracle that we 
are able to be Jews despite the draw to assimilation we talk about fighting 
the rest of the year. Also....on another subject....dare I express ...Talasim 
(Talatot) for a (mixed) choir is not in order. Talasim are a mans 
garment...sorry ladies...just the facts...if the choir were singing on Purim 
morning would the female members wear T'fillan? Uh oh...here we go!!! 

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