Re: Re[2]: Aleinu (Itsy Bitsy Spider)

[MaxwellSt <MaxwellSt...>]

In a message dated 98-02-23 11:55:22 EST, you write:

<< I hope I'm not too late on this subject, but what about Veneemar?  Is itsy 
 bistsy spider any worse than Three Blind Mice and the Farmer in the Dell?  >>

I think that this whole discussion has to do with enjoying or not enjoying
Germanic melodies.  These, which make up the larger part of Reform prayer
tunes, tend to sound somewhere between "too major mode" to "inappropriate" to
the ear which is tuned to Russian/Chassidic davening.  Include in the German
camp the Shma, the (best-known) Adon Olam, Ein Keloheinu, and all those
familiar melodies and hymns.  They were supposed to lend dignity to the
service while being stirring to the singer.  Many American Jews today are more
attracted to the Russian/Chassidic sources of nusach and prayer melody (or
Debbie Friedman, or...)--and I would include myself in the category of those
who are not moved by these Germanic melodies.  But I don't think it's fair to
depricate them with the itsy-bitsy comparison.  I've actually heard a room
full of men in their 60's and 70's harmonizing and singing with gusto who made
this old aleynu sound pretty good.

Lori Lippitz