Worship, Music and Religious Living 

RESOURCES AND LEARNING MATERIALS

Kashrut  
Especially For Ritual/Worship Committees  


Iv'du B'simchah: Worship with Joy
The material in this curriculum will guide your congregation through a process of communal study about, reflection on, and experimentation with worship. There are five segments:

Bo'u L'fanav Bir'nanah: Come Into God's Presence with Singing - Worship Music Guidelines for Small Congregations This booklet is especially helpful for congregations that do not have trained Jewish music professionals to plan their worship music.

Synagogue Choirs As Instruments of Prayer: Their Importance, Organization and Techniques by master composer Ben Steinberg Among the issues covered in this article are reasons and procedures for starting a choir, rehearsal logistics, repertoire, and funding.
 

Especially For Worship Transformation  


Iv'du B'simchah: Worship with Joy The material in this curriculum will guide your congregation through a process of communal study about, reflection on, and experimentation with worship. There are five segments:

Bo'u L'fanav Bir'nanah: Come Into God's Presence with Singing - Worship Music Guidelines for Small Congregations This booklet is especially helpful for congregations that do not have trained Jewish music professionals to plan their worship music.

Hineih Mah-Tov—How Good It Is...? When Communities Come Together on Shabbat Morning In this collection of narratives, nine Reform congregations recount how they have created spiritually meaningful Shabbat morning experiences.

Panim el Panim: Face to Face—A Guide for Congregational Conversations about Worship This booklet provides the rationale for and practical information for conducting congregational focus groups centered on worship-related matters.

iWorship Listserv — This is an e-mail-based subscription group that provides a forum for sharing information and ideas about Reform Jewish worship. To subscribe, click here and choose iWorship.

iWorship Wisdom — This is a Web-based compilation of postings from the iWorship list serv that is arranged by topic. To access, click here.

Worship with Joy: Visions of PrayerThis sixteen-minute video with accompanying study guide provides a powerful visual experience of innovative worship in three of our Movement's congregations. The link on this page will give you access to the downloadable (PDF) discussion guide. The video is available by request from the Department of Worship, Music and Religious Living.

Especially For Choirs and Teaching Music  


Bo'u L'fanav Bir'nanah: Come Into God's Presence with Singing - Worship Music Guidelines for Small Congregations This booklet is especially helpful for congregations that do not have trained Jewish music professionals to plan their worship music.

The Art of Torah Cantillation, Vol. 1 and The Art of Cantillation, Vol. 2 (Haftarot and M'gillot) This two-volume book comes with accompanying CD and is for those who wish to learn to chant Torah, haftarot, and the m'gillot.

Divrei Shir: Words of Song - A Curriculum for the Study of Synagogue MusicThis nine-module series explores the beauty and diversity of synagogue music.

Synagogue Choirs As Instruments of Prayer: Their Importance, Organization and Techniques by master composer Ben Steinberg Among the issues covered in this article are reasons and procedures for starting a choir, rehearsal logistics, repertoire, and funding.

Kolot Yaldeinu: Voices of Our Children - Resources and Repertoire for Children's Choirs — This packet contains a music CD and sampler, along with a catalog of repertoire for children's choirs. To order, contact the Department.
 

Skill-Building Opportunities For Individuals  


Chadeish T'filateinu — This retreat is for clergy interested in expanding their understanding of and expertise in leading worship.

Had'rachah Seminar for Lay Leadership in Religious Life This training program helps laypeople build synagogue leadership skills in the areas of worship, life cycle officiation and education skills.

Mifgash Musicale This summer program is designed for synagogue musicians to help them broaden their musical skills and Judaic knowledge through the study of liturgy and music.

iWorship Listserv — This is an e-mail-based subscription group that provides a forum for sharing information and ideas about Reform Jewish worship. To subscribe, click here and choose iWorship.

iWorship Wisdom — This is a Web-based compilation of postings from the iWorship listserv that is arranged according to topic.

Hava NashiraThis is a yearly song leader's institute designed to develop skills, build repertoire and enhance song-leading techniques.

North American Jewish Choral FestivalThis is a yearly summer program of study and performance opportunities for choral singers.

Regional Workshops for Synagogue MusiciansEach year in locations across the country, the department offers several seminars for synagogue vocalists, accompanists, choir directors, etc., to help them learn more about leading Shabbat worship.

Torah and Haftarah Cantillation WorkshopsThese courses are often part of the curricula of programs offered periodically throughout the year at various locations nationwide. Our page of Synagogue Musicians' Study Opportunities includes offerings available for the current year.
 

Especially For Adult Study  


Divrei Shir: Words of Song - A Curriculum for the Study of Synagogue Music This nine-module series explores the beauty and diversity of synagogue music.

Aleph Isn't Tough and Aleph Isn't Enough These two books comprise a curriculum for the adult study and acquisition of Hebrew literacy through basic liturgy and Jewish texts. (URJ Press)

"Let Us Learn in Order to Do: A Study Program for Worship/Ritual Committees" (see description above under Iv'du B'simchah: Worship with Joy ).

The Art of Torah Cantillation, Vol. 1 and The Art of Cantillation, Vol. 2 (Haftarot and M'gillot) This two-volume set comes with accompanying CD and is for those who wish to learn to chant Torah, haftarot, and the m'gillot.
 

Especially For Children  


Torah at the Center
This quarterly newsletter from the Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning has various volumes about t'filah and spirituality. To sign up, please contact the Department.

The Complete Jewish Songbook for Children: Manginot — Volume I and Volume II

Kolot Yaldeinu: Voices of Our Children - Resources and Repertoire for Children's Choirs
This packet contains a music CD and sampler, along with a catalog of repertoire for children's choirs. To order, contact the Department.
 

Sample Services and Ceremonies (Resource File)  

The Department of Worship, Music and Religious Living maintains a Resource File of sample ceremonies for Shabbat and other holidays; for healing and special services; for life cycle occasions and events; and for synagogue life. All items are available in hard copy, and some are available by PDF or fax.
 

Bnei Mitzvah Resources