For the last couple of weeks, Rabbi Greninger has been working with the 3rd-5th graders to come up with movements for the V'Ahavta prayer. Each week, the Tuesday and Wednesday classes have created hand gestures to go with each of the verses in the prayer, in order that we can better understand the real meaning of the text we are chanting. Here's what they came up with, followed by a translation of the text itself:
Eric also taught us a new tune for the Barchu, "Am I Awake" by Noah Aronson. The melody ask us to contemplate whether we are "awake" and ready for prayer, and when asked why we should be "awake" before praying, the students had some very insightful answers! Some of the responses included "because it makes us listen to God better," and "to make sure we're connecting to God and each other." They've really grasped the meaning of the call to prayer as a "wake up call!" Here's our first attempt at the new Barchu, followed by Noah Aronson's version.
We will be continuing to practice these and more tunes in tefillah, helping the children become more and more familiar with the traditional and contemporary music of the liturgy.
Shalom, Shiraniks! I apparently left this post as a draft when I wrote it back in the fall! So, enjoy this "Throwback" post featuring the Shiraniks celebrating Sukkot!
We have moved from the taste of honey cake and the sounds of the shofar to the sights and sounds of fall in the sukkah. This week, the students learned how to recite the prayer over the Four Species, and how to shake the lulav by doing the "Sukkah Shake." On Sunday, the rain was coming down too hard for Alissa to escort the class up to the sukkah, but they enjoyed learning about the harvest holiday in the warm confines of the classroom.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the students learned a new song parody to Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off," and they began recording the video in the sukkah. It will be completed soon, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, practice the lyrics to the karaoke version of the song (and if you want to audition for the rap section, you might want to check out the original song to get an idea of the timing of the words.)
Karaoke Version:
Original with lyrics
Everyone got a chance to shake the lulav!
Moadim L'Simcha! (It's the season of happiness!)
Erin
Purim is upon us, and the Shiraniks have been learning about the traditions and music of Purim. As we all know, here at Temple Isaiah it is customary to have a musical Purimshpiel. Since we are focusing on Jews in America between 1700 and 1800, it was only natural that the students would write parody Purim songs with an Americana twist. Here's what they came up with:
Tuesday's students wrote a song about Haman (boo!) sung to the tune of Oh, Susannah!
Wednesday, the students wrote a song about Mordechai, sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle.
And on Sunday, we managed to eke out one more original tune in the half hour just before the Purim Shpiel and carnival! Here's "This Land is My Land" (sung by Ahashveros):
Of course, the students learned one or two traditional Purim tunes as well! Here, Eric teaches them a Purim guessing game song sung to the tune of Tumbalalaika:
Here, we sing "Ani Purim"
This year's shpiel, a parody of Frozen, starred Erin as Haman, Maimone as the king, Karen as Esther, Joanne as Mordechai, and JQuest alumnus Michaela as the talented Vashti. As always, Cantor Korn (the snowman) put together a wonderfully musical production! If you happen to have any videos of the event, please email me, as I was unable to videotape or take photos while we were onstage!
