Transcript Document
PRESENTED AT CAJE 33 • AUGUST 2008
Al Sh’losha D’varim
A New Approach To Religious School Music By Cantor Jeff Klepper © 2008 Jeff Klepper All Rights Reserved
Meditations on Music
1) Think about one of the first occasions in your childhood when you were deeply affected by music.
…or… 2) Remember one person who helped you realize the power of music in your life.
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
Exercise #1
List on paper the five most popular songs in your religious school: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) © 2008 Jeff Klepper
Exercise #2
© 2008 Jeff Klepper Estimate the amount of time your religious school students
spend singing during an average week.
Questions About Music
What determines the
kind of music
we like?
What is music’s greatest
power
?
Which is more important:
words
or
music
?
How is
singing
different than
listening
? Is
sacred
music different than
secular
music?
What makes music
sacred
?
What is the most
authentic
Jewish music? How does music
function
in Jewish life?
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
How does music function in Jewish education?
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
How does music function in Jewish education?
© 2008 Jeff Klepper 1) Builds community and creates spirit
(Ru’ach)
How does music function in Jewish education?
2) Teaches Jewish knowledge, values, and concepts
(Limmud)
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
How does music function in Jewish education?
3) Transmits and reinforces © 2008 Jeff Klepper essential skills; ‘tools’ for Jewish life
(Ma’asim)
How does music function in Jewish education?
Every song we teach in religious school should be able to function simultaneously in three ways:
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
“Al Sh’losha D’varim” 1) MOTIVATION
(Ru’ach)
2) EDUCATION
(Limmud)
3) INTEGRATION
(Ma’asim)
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
1a) MOTIVATION (Ru’ach)
What do I like about this song? Is it catchy and memorable? Is it fun to sing? Is this a song the group will want to sing in the future? © 2008 Jeff Klepper
1b) MOTIVATION (Ru’ach)
Will this song bring people together? Does it reinforce Jewish identity? Is there an interesting story about it?
Who composed the song? How will the song function?
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
1c) MOTIVATION (Ru’ach)
For which ages and grades is it best suited? Is it easy or challenging? What’s the best way to teach it? What techniques will I use? What kinds of activities will enhance the learning/singing of this song?
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
2a) EDUCATION (Limmud)
What is important about this song? What is it about? Where is the text from? Is the text in Hebrew?
What are the important words or phrases? How do I explain them? Is the song in English? Is it a faithful translation? Do the lyrics add meaning to the orig. text?
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
2b) EDUCATION (Limmud)
Who are the characters in the song? Are there important concepts in this song? What Jewish values can be taught through this song? Does it teach factual knowledge? What can the song teach about Jewish culture or history?
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
2c) EDUCATION (Limmud)
What are my objectives for this song? How will I use it? Is the text age-appropriate for a given age group? How does this song relate to what students know or are learning? How does this song fit into their world?
© 2008 Jeff Klepper
3a) INTEGRATION (Ma’asim)
Why are we singing this song at this time? How is it important or relevant? Is the song usable in some way? Does it teach or reinforce a Jewish skill or ritual? Will it facilitate participation in T’filah? Will it be used for an upcoming holiday or occasion? Does it relate to something in the news? Can it help students participate in the wider Jewish © 2008 Jeff Klepper community?
3b) INTEGRATION (Ma’asim)
Examples of songs that we “use”: Torah Blessings (Trope); Candle Blessings; Hatikva; Modeh Ani; Shehecheyanu; Siman Tov; Birkat Hamazon; Havdalah; Mi Shebeirach… Reasons to sing a song: A special service; a performance for parents; singing at a nursing home; welcoming special guests; school events; reacting to the day’s news… © 2008 Jeff Klepper
‘Al Sh’losha D’varim’ Worksheet © 2008 Jeff Klepper Name of song Theme/s
(composer; text)_______________________ __________________________________________
EDUCATION (Limmud)
WHAT TEACHING/S CAN I EXTRACT FROM (OR USE WITH) THIS SONG?
Pre-School
MOTIVATION (Ruach)
HOW WILL I TEACH AND USE THIS SONG IN A FUN AND COMPELLING WAY?
Pre-School
INTEGRATION (Ma ’ asim)
HOW IS THE SONG RELEVANT? WHAT SKILLS DOES IT REINFORCE?
Pre-School Elementary Elementary Elementary Middle School Middle School Middle School High School High School High School
BASIC THEMES FOR A JEWISH MUSIC CURRICULUM
Torah (Tanach and more) T’filah & Rituals Chagim and observances (e.g. Yom Hashoa) Israel Jewish Values & Ethics Tikun Olam Jewish history and culture (e.g. Yiddish/Ladino) © 2008 Jeff Klepper
Best practices in Jewish music education
Hire and train great songleaders Consult with rabbi, cantor and teachers as you plan the year’s curriculum Select singing locations with good acoustics Maximize singing opportunities in the school Encourage students to lead, perform, or play instruments Invite outside musical guests to share their talents Keep a list of every song taught in each grade Purchase or create a school shiron (respect copyright laws) Utilize multi-media (DVD, MP3, etc.) Communicate with parents about your music program © 2008 Jeff Klepper
SONGS!
Additional materials available at: www.jeffklepper.com
www.peterandellen.com
SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE
words & music © Peter & Ellen Allard
Shake, shake, shake da da da (3x) the tzedakah box.
Put the money in (3x) the tzedakah box. Helping those in need (3x) the tzedakah box. Every little bit (3x) the tzedakah box. Balance is the key (3x) the tzedakah box.
GREAT, MIGHTY AND AWESOME
words & music © Peter & Ellen Allard
Great, might and awesome (3x) God supreme.
God is here, God is there, God is all Everywhere. In my heart, in my soul, in my life I am whole. We sing love, we sing praise, we sing joy All our days.
SHOFAR BLAST
words & music © Peter & Ellen Allard
I like to hear the shofar blast Sometimes slow and sometimes fast I like to hear the shofar blast Happy happy happy new year.
T’-ki-ah (echo) Sh’va-ri---im (echo) T’-ru-ah-----ah (echo) T’-ki-ah G’-do-lah! (echo)
10 PLAGUES IN EGYPT LAND
words & music © Peter & Ellen Allard
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 plagues in Egypt land. (2x)
Blood in the water made the river run red, 10 plagues in Egypt land.
Pharaoh shoulda' listened to what God said, 10 plagues in Egypt land.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 plagues in Egypt land. (2x)
Frogs were jumping in Pharaoh's hair (10 plagues) Pharaoh didn't like it but the frogs didn't care (10 plagues) Creepy, crawly, itchy lice (10 plagues) Mess with the Holy One, better think twice (10 plagues) Filthy flies so dirty and vile (10 plagues) Not exactly Pharaoh's style (10 plagues) The cattle and the horses and the oxen died (10 plagues) "I won't give up!" old Pharaoh cried (10 plagues) Boils and blisters on his skin (10 plagues) Give it up Pharaoh you're never gonna win (10 plagues)
The hail rained down from the heavens on high (10 plagues) Hurt so much made Pharaoh cry (10 plagues) Swarms of locusts ate the crops (10 plagues) Hard-hearted Pharaoh just wouldn't stop (10 plagues) Dark descended in the light of the day (10 plagues) Pharaoh was lost, couldn't find his way (10 plagues) First-born, the final blow (10 plagues) Finally Pharaoh let the people go (10 plagues)
RABBI BEN BAG-BAG
(TURN IT AGAIN)
words & music © Jeff Klepper Oh Rabbi Ben Bag-Bag He had a double name name Cause his last name was the same same But I never heard him brag So here's a little song song It's kinda like a tribute I hope you don't think that it's too cute And I hope you'll sing along!
(You’ve got to) "Turn it, turn it, turn it again” Turn it around your mind "Turn it, turn it, turn it again” You'll never know what secrets you might find! For Rabbi Ben Bag-Bag There was always more to learn learn Words of Torah he would turn turn All the night and all the day And when the other Rabbis Went to bed cause they were done done “Bag” stayed late cause it was fun fun, He would turn to them and say (chorus)
For Rabbi Ben Bag-Bag the Torah was the be all It also was the end all, and not a word was wrong So thank you Rabbi Ben Bag Bag For your cool and pithy quote quote It's the best in Pirkei Avot, and now it's in a song!
(You’ve got to) "Turn it, turn it, turn it again” Turn it around your mind "Turn it, turn it, turn it again” You'll never know what secrets you might find!