Monday, December 20, 2010
13 Tevet 5771
Chaverim,
I would like to communicate with you more about the musical and artistic events happening at Tikvat Israel and would like to do it through this new "Cantor's Corner."
New Music at Services: Have you noticed some new melodies finding their way into our Shabbat services? At the beginning of November, I attended a four day retreat at the Pearlstone Center in Baltimore devoted to Piyutim. Piyutim are liturgical poems which were written in Israel, Spain, Africa and Europe, with some dating back as early as the 1st centuries CE. We find them throughout our siddur and machzor. Some you will recognize some of them--Adon Olam, Ein Kelohenu, Yigdal, Y'did Nefesh, Ya Ribone Olam, etc.
These poems have been set to musical traditions from all over the world, and I was privileged at the retreat to learn melodies from Morroco, Algers, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Israel and Eastern Europe. Both the poetry and the music are spiritually beautiful and uplifting and I want to share these with you. And you'll forgive me if the infectious rhythms cause me to beat a bit on the shulchan!
Music Havurah: This new group is open to all members of Tikvat Israel who are interested in learning more about Jewish music. It is not a performing group. To get on the Music Havura listserve, contact Felicia Black at feliciarblack@msn.com.
The next meeting of the group will be on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 8:00 pm when Jason Schwartz will teach us Shabbat Z'mirot, traditional songs and poetry sung around a Shabbat table. This will prepare us for a Music Havurah Shabbat dinner at the shul on Friday night, January 14, where we will sing the songs we will have learned. If you can come to only one event that is okay, too. Reservations for the dinner can be made to the office via phone (301-762-7338)or or e-mail feliciarblack@msn.com. (subject line: "Jan 14 Dinner"); pay in advance or ask to be billed. The cost is $18 for adults and $8 for children 5-18. The RSVP deadline is Monday, January 10.
Kabbalat Shabbat With Instruments: The next KS with I will be held on January 21 at 6:30 pm, location TBA. There will be a pre-service hors d'oeuvres reception at 5:45 pm sponsored by Sisterhood. The theme will be Tu B'Shvat. All are welcome to the reception and to this upbeat and spirited service.
Cantor Rochelle Helzner |
