From the Cantor - August 1999
As I write this, I have just returned
from my annual convention with the American Conference of
Cantors. Every year I spend four days in study, prayer, song and
laughter with hundreds of other "me's". This half-week
represents unique sacred space to me. For example, when else can
I ask God's blessings on my food with 300 other hazzanim,
in 400-part harmony? Furthermore, I relish the time to learn new
music, sharpen teaching and organizational skills, and reunite
with friends and colleagues. This year we met in Brewster, Cape
Cod, where we davened Shacharit (prayed morning services)
on the beach every day. When we got to Mi Chamocha, the
liturgy rang truest for us as we chanted the words, "Shirah
chadashah shib'chu ge'ulim l'shim'cha al s'fat haYam (The
redeemed ones sang a new song to Your name at the mouth of the
sea)." I return rested, refreshed, and ready to share my
renewal of spirit with you. I thank God for the gifts of
friendship and study that brighten my life and my cantorate, and
I thank the congregation for the ways in which you make this
possible as well.
Believe it or not, each summer moment brings us closer to the Yamim
Nora'im, the High Holy Days. You may read this during the
seven-week period during which we read the Haftarot
(prophetic readings) of Consolation on Shabbat. These passages
from the book of Isaiah remind us that, although we are
responsible for our own mistakes, we never lose the chance to
turn ourselves right before God, before family and friends, and
before ourselves. Each week we can gradually prepare, elevate our
souls, and summon courage to face our fear of change for the
better. In the ancient Temple, the Levites sang psalms on the
fifteen steps that separated one courtyard from the other. With
each ascending step the singers sang the next psalm with
increased volume and intensity. So may we approach the holiest
time of our year if we begin now. Season your spiritual search
with song. A nigun has no words and needs no skills other
than to breathe and produce sound. If you need a nigun,
see me. Use it to enhance your meditation and reflection time.
Mark joins me in this New Year wish for Congregation Albert: At
the Yamim Nora'im, let us meet each other with song, ready
to turn into the best we can be!
L'shanah tovah u-metukah,
Cantor Jacqueline L. Shuchat-Marx
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