In 2008 the Movement for Reform Judaism published Seder Ha-T’fillot, known still today as ‘the new Siddur‘ When the previous Siddur, Forms of Prayer, was published in 1977 the world of music was very different
Large or small, most synagogues would have had musical accompaniment to the prayers in the form of an organ or harmonium. Nearly all had a choir, and the repertoire was heavily influenced by classical German Reform, with its emphasis on decorum and spirituality created through the beauty of music. It was designed to be listened to rather than participated in, with the works of Lewandowski and Sulzer, complemented by those of Mombach and Verrinder being the staple fare.
Judaism finds itself in a very different world. Now made up of forty-three communities, each synagogue is as individual as the people who make up its membership. This is reflected in the new Siddur with its variety of choices enabling communities to pray a service that is virtually orthodox, or to create a liturgy that is completely progressive. Some still celebrate the grandeur of those 19th century aspirations; others strive for something much more intimate. But, not only do the synagogues themselves differ widely in their styles of worship, even within a single synagogue the trend is developing for multiple services, with different approaches to the liturgy running simultaneously in separate services or on different weeks of the month.
Musically this means that while some synagogues and some services continue to employ organ and choir, others have jettisoned them in favour of guitar, or a full band or nothing; and yet others engage a song leader, or have everyone simply pitching in. The focus has shifted from passive appreciation to full participation. Spirituality is perceived less in the beauty of words and melody performed than in the beauty of words and melody recited and sung in community and with gusto.
Published below is the musical accompaniment to the Siddur in the form of digital tracks and sheet music. This is best viewed on a large screen instead of a mobile phone.
Please note that these are for the educational benefit of communities and none may be reproduced without infringing Copyright.
We hope that you enjoy listening and learning…
Track Listings
1. Niggun: Introduction
Musicians: Shabbat Shira (WLS Recording)
Narration by Jon Fiber
music: HaShalom Aleichem niggun
2. Shalom Aleichem – a song for welcoming Shabbat
Musicians: Shabbat Shira (WLS recording)
music: Shmuel Brazil
3. Shalom Aleichem
Musicians: ‘Shim’ Choir
music: 16th century melody
4. Shabbat Hamalkah – the Sabbath Queen
Musicians: ‘Shim’ Choir
music: Sim Glaser
5. Or Zarua– a harvest of light is sown for the righteous
Musicians: Zöe Jacobs, Jaimee Shalhevet, David Strickland
text: Psalm 97:11 • music: Dan Nichols
6. L’cha Dodi – welcoming the Bride
Musicians: Zöe Jacobs and ‘Shiru’ Choir
music: Aaron BenSoussan
7. Elohai N’shama – the gift to our soul
Musicians: ‘Shiru’ Choir
Text: Talmud Berachot 60b • music: Shefa Gold
8. D’ror Yikra – a Sabbath piyyut / liturgical poem
(Also sung as a table song on Friday evenings)
Musicians: Zöe Jacobs, Jahnee Shalhevet, David Strickland – piano
music: Sephardi from Sarajevo arr. Danny Maseng
9. Baruch She’arnar* – opening verses of song
Musicians: Zöe Jacobs, Jaimee Shalhevet, David Strickland
piano music: Craig Taubman/Mizrachi arr. Strickland
10. Mali Gadlu – how great are Your works!
Musicians: ‘Shiru’ Choir
text: Psalm 92:6 • music: Shefa Gold
11. Hal’luyah – praise God!
Musicians: Zöe Jacobs, Jaimee Shalhevet, David Strickland – piano
text: Psalm 150 • music: Yemenite melody arr. Strickland
12. Ki Eshmerah Shabbat – a Sabbath piyyut / liturgical poem
Musicians: Shabbat Shira (WLS Recording)
music: Sephardi melody
13. Ha-aderet V’ha-emunah – a Sabbath piyyut / liturgical poem
Musicians: Zoe Jacobs, Jaimee Shalhevet, David Strickland – piano
music: Hod Dayan arr. Strickland
14. Ilu Finu — if our mouths were full of song
Musicians: Zöe Jacobs, Jaimee Shalhevet, David Strickland
Text: Talmud Berachot 59b • music: Miriam Margles
15. Yotser Or – the One who fashions light
Musicians: Zöe Jacobs, Jaimee Shalhevet, David Strickland
music: Laura Berkson
16. Sh’ma & V’ahavta – 1st paragraph of the Sh’ma
Musician: Chani Smith
text: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 • music: Western Ashkenazi trope.
17. V’haya Im Shamo’a – 2nd paragraph of the Sh’ma
Musician: Chani Smith
text: Deuteronomy 11:13-21 • music: Western Ashkenazi trope
18. Vayomer Adonai – 3rd paragraph of the Sh’ma
Musician: Chani Smith
Text: Numbers 15:37-41 • music: Western Ashkenazi trope
19. Adonai S’fatai Tiftach – open my lips to praise You
Musicians: Maya Levy, Zöe Jacobs (WLS Recording)
text: Psalm 51:17 • music: Natalie Young
20. Yismach Moshe – and Moses rejoiced
Musician: Zöe Jacobs • music: Shabbat Nusach – Adolph Katchko
21. V’al Kulam – and for all these things
Musicians: Jon Fiber, Maya Levy, Zöe Jacobs, Judith Silver, Matt Winter
text: Modim • music: Meir Finkelstein
22. Yih’yu L’ratson – may the words of my mouth
Musicians: Zöe Jacobs, Judith Silver, Matt Winter – guitar
text: Psalm 19:15 • music: Hollis Schachner
23. Oseh Shalom – may the Maker of peace
Musicians: ‘Shiru’ Choir • music: Spanish and Portuguese
24. Mi Shebeirach for Healing* – blessing for someone who is ill
Musicians: Maya Levy, Zoe Jacobs
music: Craig Taubman
*One Shabbat Morning: © Sweet Louise Music BMI
Soloists
Student Cantor Zoe Jacobs
voice, guitar voice
Rabbi Malcolm Cohen (Shabbat Shira)
voice
Jon Fiber
voice
Gideon Lyons (Shabbat Shira)
voice
Mark Greenfield (Shabbat Shira)
percussion
Maya Levy
voice
Maurice Meyer (Shabbat Shira)
violin
Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet
voice, guitar
Judith Silver
voice, guitar
David Strickland
voice, piano
Matt Winter
voice, guitar
Thanks
With special thanks to all those who participated in the 2007 Shiru workshop and the Sunday ‘underground’ recording at West London Synagogue:
James Brownlie, Gwendoline Burton, Adam Driscoll, Jon Fiber, Fiona Karet Frankl, Mike Frankl, Idit Gold, Jess Gold, Brian Humphreys, Katherine Inglis, Andrew Jacobs, Debbie Jacobs, Zöe Jacobs, Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Robin Kanarek, Norma Leeb, Maya Levy, Sharon Malyan, Caroline Morgan, Dolf Mogendorff, Ann Mozer, Richard Mozer, Barbara Rosenberg, John Sabel, Rabbi Sybil Sheridan, Judith Silver, Shira Sleight, Myriam Willcocks, Jackie Winter, Matt Winter
Recorded at Epiphany RC Church, NY; NY and at West London Synagogue, London.
Sound engineer Corey Kaup (NY); Mixing and editing David Strickland (NY)
Mixing and editing (Shiru and WLS): Jon Fiber and Andy Shaw
Mastered and Produced by Shock Productions (www.shockaudiovisual.co.uk)
Compact Disc and Sleeve Design by Joel Trines