From: israel@unixg.ubc.ca (Robert B. Israel)
Subject: Re: Attending a More Traditional Service
Organization: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 16:13:22 GMT


In <1992Oct7.172529.10123@ils.nwu.edu> allender@ils.nwu.edu (Laura Allender) writes:

>Today is Yom Kippur and I thought I would go to the Conservative
>Service at Hillel because I found that the Reform didn't have
>enough Hebrew or character (I'm Reform).  I really enjoyed the
>Conservative morning service, and I even decided to come back next year, in
>fact, I was going to come back after Yizkor.  BUT then I was
>talking to another student in the hallway (during Yizkor) and

>he said   "I went to this reform synagogue last night",

>my friend said, "oh so did we -- we went to Laura's synagogue"

>he said "it was okay, but you know the  choir and everything"

>she said "yes they had a choir last night too"

>he said "... it was so treif."

>How could he say that? 

At this distance, it's hard to say just what he was objecting to. 
Choirs are pretty standard at conservative services, especially for
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, although a Hillel might not have the
resources to organize one.  Many orthodox shuls have choirs 
(generally all male).  Presumably the style of the service, and 
perhaps the role of the choir (if it did more than conservative 
choirs usually do), bothered him.  

> What right does he have to judge
>someone else's tradition?

He has the same right as anyone else to express his personal tastes.
Perhaps he should have chosen his words more carefully to avoid 
offending you.

> What makes one tradition (especially in
>terms of music) more kosher then another? The people who attend treasure
>their means of observance as much as those who attend a "traditional"
>conservative service value their means of observance.

Some traditions are more traditional than others.  For those who are 
concerned about halacha, there are some constraints.  Other than that,
it's a matter of taste.   

>So why do I hear these criticisms again and again --
>"it's just like a church", "too much English", I tend to agree
>that sometimes there is too much English -- but so what if the church
>also noticed that the sound of voices blending together is beautiful?!

Well, it's not just a coincidence.  I believe there was a conscious 
effort among the forerunners of the reform movement to imitate the style 
of Protestant church services.  Some of us would object to the idea of
incorporating non-Jewish traditions.  On the other hand, it's clear that
over the centuries non-Jewish music has also had some influence on 
traditional synagogue music.     

>Why should we deny ourselves the beauty and inspiration that God has
>given us in the form of voices and ears?  This closed mindedness --
>only the cantor shall sing and the congregation mumble along -- doing
>it another way is not treif -- it is simply different!

If the congregation is mumbling along, it's probably because they don't 
know the words or melody.  I don't know if anyone would call this 
desirable.  Many of the piyyutim on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are 
meant to be responsive - the congregation should be actively involved.  
Of course, they won't all be good singers, so you don't get a nice 
musical effect.  But (my personal tastes here) I'd rather be at a 
service than a concert.  

>At a reform synagogue we read the same Torah and many of the same
>prayers, and share many sentiments. What right does anyone have to
>judge the method of observance of others?

What right do you have to deny them the freedom to express their views?

> I came to a conservative service, I listened to what they liked -- and I
> appreciated it, but I still love the rich choral & musical tradition
> of my synagogue -- it is different, yes -- but those of us who choose
> to belong have the right to voice our prayers in full chorus.

Who is denying you this right?  

> Those of you who feel its not for you,
> wish us a happy new year and GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. 

L'shana tova, and I DID.

> L'shana Tova T'katevu
> Laura Allender

 
> P.S. -- Classical Music Fans:
>  If you've never heard Max Janowski's compositions for Yom Kippur
> prayers and other festivals check them out they are beautiful just to
> listen to.  

I also love classical music.  But I don't think it belongs in my shul.
-- 
Robert Israel                            israel@math.ubc.ca
Department of Mathematics             or israel@unixg.ubc.ca
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Y4