Goldman Union Camp Institute

July 18, 2013

Cabin 3: How Music Affects Prayer

OPENING SONG

When you turn your radio on in the car, you’re ready to sing. It’s the same with the Barchu. You know you’re ready to pray when you say it. I feel music helps me pray because I love to pray. – Melanie K.

Barchu

Ma’ariv Aravim

Music affects my prayers in a good way. A lot of prayers are meant to be sad, but with music we can pray for the ones we love in a positive way. Music, to me, expresses the different passions of prayer. Through the music of people like Danny Nichols, many of our everyday prayers are turned into a fun song session for everyone! Music is the key to being original. Many Jewish traditions involve saying prayers in their original versions, but if you really want to express your love for music and Judaism, then music is the way to go! Next time you have an original prayer, use your imagination to turn it into something new. That’s how music affects my style of prayer. – Mia H.

Ahavat Olam

My cabin’s theme is “The Musical,” and music makes me feel happier. When I sing Sh’ma I feel happier, and that’s how I feel happier. – Chloe E.

Sh’ma/V’ahavta

Singing to the Mi Chamocha makes me feel different depending on which tune we sing. Sometimes to makes me feel happy, because I think about how the Israelites are leaving to a better, happier place. Other times, it makes me feel sad, because I think about how even though they’re going to a better place, they are also leaving the only home they and many of their ancestors ever knew. This makes me think about how different melodies make a prayer or song have a different meaning. It makes the prayers feel different to different people. This is how I think singing affects my prayer. – Emma H.

Mi Chamocha

Music connects me to prayer because most prayers just wouldn’t be complete without music. The Hashkiveinu thanks God for giving us protection. Music is like my protection. If I’m having a bad day or just want some music, I turn on my iPod and just rest or play the piano. That is how music affects my prayers and gives me protection. – Frances M.

Hashkiveinu

Music affects everything about me, not just my prayers. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve been playing piano for four years, I sing to every song on the radio (even if I don’t know it), and I fall asleep with my headphones playing Nickelback. But services wouldn’t be the same for me without all of GUCI and the song leaders singing as one voice. To be honest, I’d probably just sit and play with the gravel. Basically, music adds something to life that I can’t live without. – Mandi B.

Amidah

Singing and music are things I love. When we sing as a community, I feel whole and happy. I feel as if nothing wrong could ever happen. Singing a prayer makes me feel connected, peaceful, and calm. I think this connects me to Shalom Rav – how lucky we are to be granted with peace. – Lila H.

Shalom Rav

Music can be peaceful, but it can also be loud and annoying. I love all kinds of music. That’s why I like singing some particular prayers. It makes me feel closer to my religion and closer to God. If we had to chant every single song, it would be boring, like vanilla ice cream. To me, if you sing some of the prayers, it’s like chocolate ice cream covered in toppings, and with a cherry on top. – Talia D.

Silent Prayer

The Aleinu talks about how every single person is unique and special in our own way. A lot of people may think services are boring, but they really aren’t – because of singing. When we sing, we are basically serenading God. Hopefully it makes God feel special, and you as well. – Alana R.

Aleinu

Kaddish Yatom

CLOSING SONG