Judaism Through Music
November 6, 2009
Community | Jewish Living | Youth and Family Life
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 Greg Kellner is a URJ Biennial Music Assistant and the Assistant Director at URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camps.
In just a short while, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Hall F will be transformed from a mundane space to something holy. For most of the Biennial, I have been tucked in the rehearsal room listening to rehearsals for song session, worship experiences and concerts. I've watched talented artists transform workshops and move our attendees. Yesterday we were blessed by the presence of Ma'ariv services led by Debbie Friedman, along with Rabbi Dan Freelander and Peter and Ellen Allard.
I was blown away this morning by the talent of five amazing teenagers from the Teen T'fillah Team from Temple Israel of West Bloomfield, MI. I've worked with many groups of teens putting together ensembles, but when these five teens opened their mouths, I was speechless. I listened in awe of not only their talent, but their clear love for Judaism and Jewish music. While certainly the aural experience for the congregation will be amazing, more importantly I can tell that these teens are transformed by the experience of being a part of something so special.
They are not only rehearsing, but led by their cantor, Michael Smolash and Rabbi Judy Schindler they stop for a moment to understand the music they are singing. Cantor Smolash hands out the text of L'cha Dodi and begins to ask them about the Sabbath bride... He compares the joy of Shabbat to the joy of a wedding and asks them to think about joys in their lives as they sing each verse of L'cha Dodi.
Here's a little sneak peak into the rehearsal:
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