We are so blessed to enjoy the rich musical tradition associated with the High Holyday season. We feel emotionally attached to some of our favorite melodies because of the memories they invoke. For some of us, it is perhaps sitting next to our beloved grandparents and joining them in singing the familiar melodies or associating a particular tune with this meaningful season. Can you imagine Rosh Hashanah service without Avinu Malkeinu or Yom Kippur service without our favorite melody for Ashamnu? From one year to another, these simple tunes fill us with such deep emotions and lift our hearts with joy and hope for the future.
But if you think about High Holydays, most of the music that we love to sing is written for our prayer services. How different it is from our joyful Chanukah celebration when we gather at home around the colorful candles, playing a game of Dreidel and singing “Oh Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel” at the top of our lungs! What about Passover when sitting through a long seder, we cannot do without Dayeinu! It is not so during High Holydays as it provides us with a different experience, it is a time for individual reflection and introspection as well as providing us with a sense of belonging to the larger community. And High Holyday music reflects all of that!
I will assure you that during our traditional services you will hear and hopefully join in singing your favorite melodies. I would like to share with you a few of the new pieces that I find very meaningful. I believe they offer a new sound and a modern perspective to guide us in the year to come!
The first selection was composed by my friend and former classmate Cantor Rita Glassman. This is her take on the traditional text for Hashiveinu. Please read her beautiful words and listen to YouTube!
Turning/Hashiveinu Turning, turning, turning ‘round To the One whose love has no bounds Help us, restore us, renew us once more As You’ve done many times before Give us the strength to begin again and guide us in all that we do Help us keep faith when we lose our way ‘til we find our way back to You back to You… Ha-shi-vei-nu A-do-nay ey-leh-cha v’na-shu-vah (2x) Cha-desh ya-mei-nu, ya-mei-nu k’keh-dem, k’keh-dem.. (2x)
Happy and Healthy 5784 from my family to yours! Cantor Elena
