Collection
A collection of source sheets explaining prayers, often with YouTube videos of different musical versions.
Sheets
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Personally Connecting to Shir HaMa’alot (Psalm 126)
Ways to connect with the words of Psalm 126, plus some musical versions
V'haya Im Shamo-a: A Prayer for Tu B'shvat?
Examining Tu B'Shevat, the 2nd paragraph of the Shema, and the confluence thereof
Personally Connecting to the Shema and V'Ahavta
Questions and musical examples to help get more meaning from saying the Shema and V'Ahavta
Personally Connecting to Birkat HaChodesh
An examination of the prayer announcing the New Month, including how to sing it.
Eilu D'varim: A Shiur for Which There is No Shiur
An unpacking of "Eilu D'varim"
Hashkiveinu: Questions, Context, Music
An examination of Hashkiveinu, adapted from Josh Frankel’s sheet.
Al Hanisim
A sheet about the Chanukah prayer “Al Hanisim”, along with 5 explanations for why we celebrate for 8 days and light lights. Musical samples are included.
Guide to Friday Evening Services (1 page)
This is a sheet that can be printed to help visitors feel welcome in synagogue on Friday evenings. It can be copied and modified to fit other synagogue's needs.
Guide to Saturday Morning Services (1 page)
This is a sheet that can be printed to help visitors feel welcome in synagogue on Saturday mornings. It can be copied and modified to fit other synagogue's needs.
What’s With All the Kaddishes?
An examination of Kaddishes in general and in specific, with video examples of the many ways of chanting it.
What is Selichot?
Background information about Selichot, along with videos of how to chant the basic prayers
Siddur Tour: Understanding the Structure of Services
This is an explanation of why we pray, and the Shabbat Ma’ariv, Shacharit, and Mincha services broken down according to “Warm-up, Shema, Amidah, and Cool-down” framework.
Exploring Kol Nidrei
A look at Kol Nidrei, including why the Ashkenazic and Sephardic versions are different.
Personally Connecting to Hallel
A look at Hallel with reflection questions and musical versions
How to Change Your Fate: Views on “Ut’shuva, ut’fillah, utzedakah”
Different people’s views on the “Uteshuvah, utefillah, utzedakah” line from Unetaneh Tokef, plus a few sources for the line.
Personally Connecting to Avinu Malkeinu
Background, questions, and music for Avinu Malkeinu
Personally Connecting to Yigdal
An examination of Yigdal with background, discussion questions, and musical examples, plus basic Biblical and Rabbinic sources for Jewish philosophy
Mi She’ana: Finding Our Answers
An examination of the stories, with discussion questions, in Mi She’ana, along with musical examples
Personally Connecting to Ashamnu
An examination of the various aspects of how we do Ashamnu, plus musical examples