From Cantor Finn - February 2006

"The `sound' of the shofar grew very strong…God answered in the sound (of a voice)" (Shemot/Exodus 19)

About a year ago, a friend of mine asked me to give a presentation on the Influences of Jewish Liturgical Music throughout History…in fifteen minutes. You can imagine my panic trying to condense centuries into minutes. Although my presentation was but a brief overview, I was able to convey the central belief about music in Judaism.

Music has always been a part of our people, from Shirat Hayam, the song of the sea, to the sound of the shofar, to the joyous celebration of music in the temple service. We even enjoy the popular but not quite historically accurate theory that many of the tunes that reach our hearts came with Torah at Mt. Sinai. Music is intrinsic to Jewish worship; it reflects the tones and melodies which our ancestors from each age and country heard. It has been influenced by those countries and updated with each generation. Music portrays our sadness during times of persecution and our joy in times of celebration. The centrality of music in Judaism brings this joy and continuity to one of the highest levels of human expression: a connection to God. A piece of poetry will move us, but set to music it is a spiritual experience.

We are blessed at Congregation Albert with many opportunities to express our prayers through music. I invite and encourage the entire congregation to join together for Erev Shabbat Services on Friday night, February 10, as we celebrate Shabbat Shirah, the Shabbat of Song, with a service that will be a musical prayer experience. Together we will raise our voices in a worship service that includes all of Congregation Albert's musical volunteers. We will share a varied taste of Jewish music and the music of Congregation Albert.

I hope you will also join with our sister congregation B'nai Israel as we come together for Erev Shabbat Services on February 17 for the installation of my colleague Cantor Caitlin Bromberg.

May we pray and sing…together!

B'shirah,
Cantor Barbara R. Finn

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