Shalom

Last night I was at a workshop lead by composer/arranger Eleanor Epstein. This was during rehearsal time for Women's Voices Chorus which is directed by Mary Lycan. Over the course of the evening we worked on two songs. One was Mizmor l'David, Psalm(23)of David, and the other was Hafleh Va-feleh, Wonder of Wonders, a song based on the book of Exodus. The experience of a Jewish woman who speaks and reads Hebrew, who read us the psalm in Hebrew and provided us with English translations for both songs was amazing. The passion in the text was magnified many times by her emphasis on the tune, which is the most important part. In the Hebrew culture you can't sing a song with any effect without the deeply emotive aspect of the tune. There are even Jewish keys, for instance augmented 2nd/minor third, and so forth. Best of all, I now have a much enhanced understanding of the 23rd Psalm! Little nuances such as how the word for "restores" in Hebrew also means "returns", and the word for "paths" means "circles"-think about that one! And lots more. It was the best sermon and Old Testament study I've had in awhile. After all this I'm wondering why we don't sing any Jewish songs at CHBC. I'm wondering how we could not, given our heritage. These two songs would be a little much for the choir as they are demanding of dynamics that are not notated, but felt or understood from tradition in Jewish culture. The words of these particular pieces are as difficult as the music, possibly more so. But, there's got to be some stuff out there. Also, I've encountered a few Messianic Jews in the CHBC congregation who might be of help, if needed. Please consider this.

Marilyn