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Cantor's Corner



The Cantor's Corner
George Henschel

  

As I write this, we have only a few weeks until Rosh Hashanah is upon us.  It’s always amazing how quickly the summer has flown by.  But for many of us, when we prepare to attend services at Kol HaLev for the High Holy Days, it seems as if we’re suddenly entering a strange new world, one for which we’re not really prepared.  And for some, that’s the way it feels every year.   Even for those who have attended Shabbat services during the year, the High Holy Days can be disorienting: different texts, different music, different just-about-everything from the rest of the year.  Of course, that’s by design: the High Holy Day period is set up as it is in order to make us somewhat uncomfortable, but also open to being inspired and renewed.  It helps us to focus on the year that is ending, to be honest with ourselves about what we’ve done right and what we’ve done wrong, and to look ahead to being better people in the year ahead.  And these days provide a good share of role playing and contemplation, all orchestrated by our special prayer book, the Machzor.  The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are called the “Yamim Noraim,” or “Days of Awe”—with good reason. 

Our Kol Haneshama Machzor is an amazing compilation of material: historical readings, prayers, and lessons; choreographed theater and moving poetry; metaphors and allegories. And much of this material is carried by music—music that is unique to these Holy Days, and definitely not what we’re all used to hearing at Shabbat, for example. But this special music carries with it the central themes and emotions of the High Holy Days, and we are the players in the cast of this musical drama.  And as players in that drama, we can be more well-prepared if we at least listen to some of the music in advance, and maybe even take a quick look at the script.

Some of the music of the High Holy Day services is what they call “Mi Sinai” (“from Sinai”).  The name implies that this music really dates back to the Exodus from Egypt, but in fact, we can only trace it back 1200-1300 years or so. (What, that isn’t enough for us?)  This category of music includes the melodies we sing for the Kedusha and the Aleynu.  Other music, such as the “traditional” Avinu Malkeynu, was developed from folk songs.  Still other music has been composed over the years by many gifted composers.  I have tried to select many melodies that allow for congregational participation, either all together or in “call and response” with me.

I have recorded various melodies that we’ll be using at our High Holy Day services and placing the recordings as mp3 files on our website.  I hope you’ll take the time to listen to them! You’ll probably hear melodies and musical settings that you’ve heard before. And I’m hoping that you will remember these and other melodies when you attend our services.  And please sing!  Sing on key, or off key—just sing! Although the liturgy speaks of our being judged during this period, neither I nor anyone else will be judging you on your singing.

Rabbi Geoff and I look forward to leading you throughout the High Holiday period and beyond. (And don’t forget: not long after Yom Kippur is over, we’ll all be constructing and decorating our Sukkah!)  Our Machzor does a wonderful job of setting out the liturgy and providing thoughtful and challenging interpretations and commentaries.  As you follow along with the music in the Machzor, whether in Hebrew, transliteration, or translation, ask yourself: how does the musical setting capture the mood of the prayer being sung? Why, for example, is Hin’ni (Here I Am), the “Hazzan’s/Cantor’s Prayer,” so personal, soulful, and pleading, while “Un’taneh Tokef” (Now We Declare—the holiness of this day) is so dramatic and theatrical? The music and the service can both come alive for you this way.

And one last note to the parents of our youngsters: I’ve also recorded several children’s holiday songs that I’ve written over the past few years.  I’d be thrilled if you would take the time to listen to these recordings with your kids, so we can all sing them together at this year’s family services.   They’re easy and fun to learn!

Ricki and I wish you all a sweet, happy, and safe New Year.

 

 

 




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