End of the Week

Here in Israel the work week is Sunday through Thursday, so I am now done for this week. As with the weeks before this one was packed and I had no time to myself.

I had a cantorial class last night at which we review everything we have done so far. It is truly amazing how many pieces of music I have been given in only 6 lessons! On top of the music itself, I am also getting both vocal and cantorial techniques to incorporate, so there is really quite a bit for me to do just for the hazzanut training.

We continue to be inundated with work from the Ulpan as well, and had a test today. (Actually we have both a quiz and a test every week!) There is a major test coming next week on everything we have done to date. Believe me when I say the sheer volume of information is overwhelming. Well, we’ll see how it goes.

I am a bit concerned with the Ulpan and the amount of time it takes to complete the assignments and study. As long as it does not interfere with the hazzanut training I am ok. If it does interfere, then I will have to do something about it. Not sure what yet, but I do have a number of options in that regard.

I expect to go to the Jerusalem Great Synagogue this Shabbat for services, and have included a picture of it for those who have not been here or seen it. I have attended services there before and feel quite at home. (The synagogue for the Conservative movement is just about across the street and I may try that one instead, since I have not been there yet. If I do I will post about that experience as well.)

My Sunday was spent doing homework from the Ulpan and practicing Hazzanut. Unfortunately the Ulpan homework took me 8.5 hours to complete, which is WAY too long. I really need that time for practice.

On the brighter side of things, I actually understood most of what was said in class today. This came as a complete and much appreciated surprise to me.

At the class for Hazzanut I received six more pieces for the Friday night service. I am told that it will not be long before I have the instructor’s nod to perform that service. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to do so here in Israel.

While I have led services many times in the U.S., everyone here will know if any mistakes are made and most will recognize the basic melodies as they are in common use here. I guess that means practice, practice, practice and practice some more before doing it! It is, however, the first major step along the path that I have chosen to follow.