RE: Very interesting article

[Reyzl Kalifowicz-Waletzky <reyzl...>]

Eve,

You just expressed the feelings I tried to convey.   I am sure that many Reform 
and Conservative American kids relate to her music well because that is the 
idiom that they are so used to.  They also probably have limited familiarity 
with traditional Jewish music.   So, I think much of our response to her music 
depends on one's Jewish musical background.  

I am sorry that I can't forward the article here, because it's from a 
copyrighted newspaper, but you can read it yourself at the Jewish week web site 
I cited.   If you subscribe to the Jewish Week, you can read there this week.   

Ari what is your take on posting articles form online newspapers?  I know many 
lists that do it, but I am careful about these kinds of things.


Reyzl



----------
From:  SICULAR (at) aol(dot)com[SMTP:SICULAR (at) aol(dot)com]
Sent:  Saturday, April 17, 1999 1:03 AM
To:  World music from a Jewish slant.
Subject:  Re:  Very interesting article 

I look forward to reading the article.  With all due repect to Debbie, and 
the many people for whom her compositions mean so much, I find myself quite 
alienated from most of the tunes of hers I've heard in services.  They just 
don't appeal to me and it's very important to my spirituality to feel 
connected to what sounds I hear.  To paraphrase Marc Ribot, I'd prefer to not 
to have to choose between my identities as a musician and as a Jew by being 
asked to leave my aesthetics at the door.  This has nothing to do with Debbie 
Friedman's sincerity, which certainly affects many listeners deeply.  And I 
don't pretend to have surveyed her work; it's just so pervasive that I am 
aware of many of those songs out there.  

I am not inviting any debate with my personal opinion, nor volunteering any 
program ideas.  Simply want to express something which has often caused me 
discomfort.  Obviously there are lots and lots of people who feel very 
differently.

Eve Sicular



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