Songleader Boot Camp post #4: February 15, 2021's sessions

 

Here are some thoughts about #slbc21

Songleader Boot Camp (SLBC Group)

classes for Monday, February 15, 2021.

Rabbi Joe Black

, Cantor

Ellen Dreskin

, and Rabbi

David Ingber

, what a joyful session you led, full of song and divrei Torah and combinations thereof. These were Siddur Gems, indeed.

The session on Jews of Color: Diversity and Inclusion, was about as uncomfortable as it had to be. Dealing with my own racism is no picnic, but, as a person with white skin and white privilege, it's my responsibility. Many thanks to all the speakers, particularly the leaders, Rabbi

Sandra Lawson

, Rabbi

Susan Talve

, and

Billy Jonas

, as well as the "guest speakers."

What is prayer? What is liturgy? Why do we pray? How do we pray? Is a "singing community" really a singing community if they sing without feeling? More questions than answers, which is probably how it has to be. Many thanks to Rabbi

Josh Warshawsky

, Cantor

Ellen Dreskin

, and

Eliana Light

for leading this session on Teaching T'fillah: Laying the Foundation.

Regarding the session on Making Prayer Spiritual: Crafting Prayer for Adults, all I can say is wow, so much to think about!

Chava Mirel

and

Eliana Light

, running an Evening Service first and then opening the floor to a discussion of what you'd done and hadn't done was such a good idea! These thoughts aren't particularly well organized, but here they are: Never mind a "theme"--figure out your purpose first. Why are you doing this service? What do people need? What time of day is it? Time of day can determine the mood of the service. In the morning, you might want to energize; in the evening, you might want to calm. Be the lion, rather than the dog: Don't chase the stick--look behind you to see where it came from. Consider what the translations say--you might want to offer something less literal, to encourage people with varying perspectives to participate. But remember that you're *inviting* people--let them know that they don't have to accept the invitation. Always be aware that the motto that's over the Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark) in many synagogues--Know Before Whom You Stand--refers not just to G?d, but also to your congregation. (Was that a quote from Cantor

Ellen Dreskin

? I think they said they were sharing that.) Also, Eliana must be quoting a similar source, because this has been on the "masthead" of my blog since I started it in Aug. 2004: "This blog, welcoming the entire Jewish community, is dedicated to those who take Judaism seriously, but not necessarily literally."

One of the folks in one of the break-out rooms at the Making Prayer Spiritual session--I believe she said she's a cantor--responded to my comment that, when it comes to the silent prayer, I just have to davven (pray) the Amidah: "You need the kevah (structure) more than the kavvanah (intent)." It occurred to me that I've gotten better at "going with the flow" of a less-traditional service except for the silent part--meditation and/or mindfulness just isn't my style, so, when everyone goes silent, I really do rely on my siddur. I just can't stand there saying and/or doing nothing for four minutes straight.

And I managed to stay awake long enough to hear both

Ellie Flier

and

Beth Hamon

at the Late Night song session. Beautiful! What wonderful songs!

Laila tov, all! See you tomorrow at Morning Tefillah. I'd love to go to the Israeli folk dancing session, but unfortunately, our postage-stamp-sized apartment makes folk dancing darned near impossible.