Rehearsing for the Jewish High Holy Days

Rehearsing for the Jewish High Holy Days

Some years ago I sang as the tenor lay cantor in a Reform Jewish temple. My then voice teacher was the choir director, and there were five voices which made up the lay cantors. He loved the different voices.

The tenor, soprano, bass, baritone and mezzo soprano added a richness that one voice alone couldn’t.

I always looked forward to the time of the Jewish High Holy days. Selichos, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur were awesome! It gave me a chance to sing my heart out for G-d.

I sang “sh’ma yisroel…” many times throughout the year, but the Holy days were different. It was like I sang it for the first time! It was the same singing the “borchu” and other chants. I was on a Jewish spiritual high.

Then there were those times I’d sing a duet or a trio, or even a quartet. I loved to sing, and I knew that one day I wanted to be an ordained cantor. That never happened, but I loved to sing when I did.

Related Articles

More From Prose

Angry with the GPS

I was not having a good day. I didn’t feel very well, and I woke up around 4:00 in the morning…
Angry with the GPS

The Hiding Place

In November of 1972 my parents emigrated from Israel to the United States, several months prior…
The Hiding Place

Living the Mitzvah

When my wife and I moved to North Carolina from Florida, we gave up a good support system.
Living the Mitzvah
A Danish or Ice Cream?

A Danish or Ice Cream?

Since I was a kid I loved Danish pastries, especially blueberry and prune, and I was always…
A Danish or Ice Cream?

Like as a Father

While we were conducting business in Earl’s office recently, prominently displayed on his desk…
Like as a Father

Sophie Stillman

Most American college graduates choose to start families, launch careers, and settle down into…
Sophie Stillman
The Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever

It was Sabbath and I was going to go on a walk with my mom after eating a wonderful lunch, but…
The Golden Retriever

Follow the Recipe

 don’t know why, but as risk free as I like to be in life, when it comes to following recipes…
Follow the Recipe

My Mother's Honor

 awoke late the morning that I write this, perhaps delayed by a vivid dream.
My Mother's Honor

Cyril Miller

Cyril Miller has seen God answer many prayers in his life. When Cyril was about 14 years old,…
Cyril Miller

Angels on Duty

Donna’s husband suddenly left his family without looking back.
Angels on Duty

Ctrl + Z

One of my favorite keyboard shortcuts is Ctrl + Z. It instantly deletes the last action you…
Ctrl + Z
Clifford Goldstein

Clifford Goldstein

Clifford Goldstein will tell you that his family tree is full of typewriters, pens, and books.…
Clifford Goldstein

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation