Specificity of Jewish music

[Helene Century <helene...>]

Dear members of the list

I am established in Montreal. I am a Jewish singer, singing traditional 
songs from Sephardic and Yiddish traditions, some Israeli pieces as well 
as liturgical music.
I sing sometimes as a cantorial soloist in the Reform synagogue.
There is a group called "Dialogue judeo-chretien" (Jewish-Christian 
dialogue) with which I have collaborated for a few years. This coming 
December they asked me to do little conference about the role of music in 
the Jewish tradition. At the same time a monk will talk about christian 
(catholic) music.
According to the context, the accent is more the role of music in the 
religious realm of Jewish life. I thought of doing a talk in 3 parts
- The role of music in general
- The specificity of Jewish music (historical, musical, social...anything 
I can think of)
- What are the main differences between the Christians (mainly the 
catholics) and the Jews towards music.

Being also a music therapist, I have no problems with the first point, 
but I would love to have some suggestions for the other points. I have a 
lot of information at hand but I get a little overwhelmed and start 
wondering if I am not getting lost in details losing the most important 
points. I have to talk for 30 minutes. 

I am also interested in a specific point which might not even be relevant 
for this conference and it is the relationship between rabbi and cantor. 
I read a long time ago that the cantor was like a counter-power for the 
rabbi which explains that these relationships are often conflicting. But 
I don't remember where this comes from, neither in which context.

I am open to any suggestions. The conference is in the beginning of 
December so there is still some time to read and think. I thank in 
advance all of you who will take time to share their knowledge and 
opinions with me.
Sincerely
Helene Engel
Email : helene (at) total(dot)net

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