Collection
A collection of source sheets explaining prayers, often with YouTube videos of different musical versions.
Sheets
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Exploring Kol Nidrei
A look at Kol Nidrei, including why the Ashkenazic and Sephardic versions are different.
Hashiveinu: From Tisha B’Av to Torah Service
A basic overview of Tisha B'Av, with a focus on the Hashiveinu line at the end of Eicha. It also includes musical examples of Hashiveinu and Etz Chayim.
Personally Connecting to Aleinu
Questions to increase personal connection to “Aleinu”, plus musical versions
What is Selichot?
Background information about Selichot, along with videos of how to chant the basic prayers
Ashrei - A Guaranteed Spot in Heaven?
Questions to inspire personal connection to Ashrei, plus different musical settings.
What’s Tashlich?
An examination of why we feed ducks to celebrate the new year
Personally Connecting to Avinu Malkeinu
Background, questions, and music for Avinu Malkeinu
Shabbat Service Sections
An examination of the different services on Shabbat
Personally Connecting to Birkot HaShachar
Questions to connect to the blessings of Birkot HaShachar, along with a recap of its evolution plus different examples of nusach and congregational melodies.
Personally Connecting to the Shema and V'Ahavta
Questions and musical examples to help get more meaning from saying the Shema and V'Ahavta
How Festival Services Differ From Shabbat
A look at how Chag / Yuntif / Festival services are different from Shabbat services
Shivat Tziyon: The Return to Zion in Jewish Liturgy
An examination of references to returning to Israel or Jerusalem in the liturgy
Al Hanissim
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.
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.
Haftarah Machar Chodesh: A 3-Act Story
A set of questions to think more deeply about Haftarah Machar Chodesh, plus a Readers’ Theatre version.
Personally Connecting to Shir HaMa’alot (Psalm 126)
Ways to connect with the words of Psalm 126, plus some musical versions
Personally Connecting to Ahavat Olam and Ahava Rabba
A deep-dive into "Ahavat Olam" and "Ahava Rabba", including musical versions
Mi Chamocha
An examination of “Mi Chamocha” from a social justice, musical, and liturgical set of lenses.
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 Birkat HaChodesh
An examination of the prayer announcing the New Month, including how to sing it.