Winter 2013 - Shir Tikvah

First Fridays
through rhythmic music with heart and soul
Photos by Chris Geller
Continued from previous page
culture, where we watch for visual cues to instruct
us how to react. Following his recommendation
to enhance our auditory instincts, the First Friday
service breaks with the hierarchical structure of
the bimah, instead positioning chairs in an intimate
circle. Music leaders help lead the music from
both inside and outside the circle, ensuring that the
baseline melody can be heard around the room,
rather than through the microphone and speakers.
Children are welcome and encouraged to
participate with the rest of the congregation.
Sometimes they’ll make noise, but as a community
devoted to inclusion, we hope their sounds will be
received as additions to the music.
“I loved the feeling in the room and the circle
format, hearing voices all around me. I loved
that my daughter was sitting next to me, singing.
And, I loved hearing and feeling the rhythm of the
drums,” said participant Susan Geller.
Verna Lind reflected, “I loved looking at
congregants’ faces as they joined in the singing.
Eyes closed or wide open, bodies swaying, families
together, holding children, smiling and clapping
with the sounds and rhythms.”
“I loved the flow and participation. I was
humming for days afterwards and also felt a greater
Shabbat separation from the rest of my week,” said
Music Leader Rachel Lipkin.
Join in and experience something new. Add Shir
Tikvah’s First Friday Shabbat to your calendar. See
you at 6:30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.
First Friday Shabbat services (at 6:30 p.m. the first Friday of each month)
focus on auditory instincts and feature a circular seating that breaks with the
hierarchical structure of the bimah.
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