Sing Out Loud!

"If you cannot sing like the nightingale and the lark, then sing like the crows and the frog, which sing as God meant them to." Thomas A Kempis. (1380-1471)
 
Do you sing?  I mean just throw all caution to the wind, open your mouth, let the music out and just sing?  Maybe you heard something catchy on the radio, or perhaps you’ve been listening to one of your favorite CD’s or tracks from your itunes playlist?  It could even be a melody that sticks with you from your favorite Friday night or Saturday morning prayer service.   While you are listening, do you have the desire to sing along, or are you perfectly happy to just receive the music?  
 
It’s an interesting question because I’d bet that the majority of people do not choose create the opportunity,  have the desire or perceived ability to just let go of their inner road blocks and let the music out.  When you really think about it, one of the reasons that people might bit apprehensive to sing, is that in our fast paced, technology-driven, sound-bite oriented lives, we really do not have that many opportunities to sing.  Whether in groups or alone, where in our lives do we really get the chance?  I’m sure many of you may sing out with gusto while lathering up in the shower, or maybe you even sing along with the crowd during the national anthem (if you know the words…) at a ballgame or a concert.  But where else?  Most of us don’t do it at work (unless of course you are a cantor J)  and most of us don’t do it in an organized way at home.  Long gone are the evenings people would spend in the parlor, sitting around the piano singing their favorite songs.
 
Another reason that some of us don’t sing-and this is something I’ve heard on more than one occasion- is that there are those who at some point in their childhood, were told that they should NOT sing, because they didn’t have the most pleasing of voices.  All too often, I meet people who share a similar story with me.  A teacher in elementary school told them that they should either keep their mouth closed, or even worse, just mouth the words.  Cut to 20 years later, and that same adult now has the misperception that he can not and should not sing. 
 
Alas….there is one place where we do come together at least twice a week with a common purpose and goal—and where one of the measures of a successful experience can be gauged by how much we sing together.  Of course, I am referring to our worship experiences in temple.  As Rabbi Aaron recently observed, where else in our lives do we have the opportunity to sing with regularity, with gusto, for a higher purpose, with meaning and intention?  It’s right here for us in the form of a weekly Shabbat evening or morning service.    When we pray and sing together we create a common vibration of sound, we create a sense of ruach, a shared spirit , an energy.  And the truth is it doesn’t matter if we all sing like nightingales and larks.  What truly matters is that we join in with whatever voice God has intended for us, so that we can create something greater and more powerful than ourselves.  When we sing in groups, we are  forced to listen as well—not just to our own voice, but to the voice of the leader as well as the multitude of voices singing with us.
 
If you’ve yet to experience the beauty and power of communal singing in either Shabbat Unplugged, Shabbat B’Yachad, the New Emanuel Minyan, or even the Family Choir.  I invite you to give it a try.  As Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple recently wrote, “ Each of us is given a song, each given wings. Where we fly and how we sing is according to our training, our effort, our awareness and God's gift. Sing as you were meant to; fly your singular course.”
 
Shabbat Unplugged-Every 1st Friday 7:30 PM
Shabbat B’Yachad-Every 3rd Friday-this week at 7:30 PM and 6:30 PM beginning in August
New Emanuel Minyan-Every Saturday Morning at 10 AM
Family Choir rehearsals begin in August (please contact me if interested)
 
Cantor Yonah Kliger
Cantorkliger@tebh.org

Comments

[Barbara Rosenblatt]

Rehearsals with the Family Choir for the High Holy Day services are the highlight of the year for me!

[Norma Glickman]

I'm with Sharon Baumgold - can't wait for rehearsals to start up - don't want to break an almost 40-year tradition - any more geriatric singers out there willing to join me on the bima? Nothing makes you feel as alive (and young) as singing!
Norma Glickman

[Sharon Baumgold]

I can't wait until Family Choir starts up again in August. Hava and Shoshana will NOT be able to attend High Holy Day services this year. Any new junior cantors?