Saturday, February 17, 2007
Everyone's Favorite 3am Syrian Song Session
The cantors participated in Bakashot today, a song session to beat all song sessions. It's an old, old Middle Eastern tradition to get together as a community every Shabbat between Simchat Torah (October) until Passover (April) at 3am to sing songs. It's set up as a sort of contest, the congregation divided into two groups, each with a (ideally) virtuoso soloist. The singing alternates between improvised solos and group sing-a-longs, and though the big solos are done by the more experienced members, they have lots of little solos which they give to the younger or less experienced singers.
We went to the Aleppo Synagogue (Syrian) only a few blocks from our apartment. They offer free tea and coffee all night to help keep you awake. The whole community is welcome, and they have men and women, little children and teenagers all attending. (Of course, as is their tradition, the women are seated as usual upstairs in the women's section.) There are a lot of honorary positions as part of bakashot: who is the lead soloist, who takes the smaller solos, even who hands out the coffee and tea is an honored job. There's also an auction for who gets the honor of leading the kaddish [prayer for mourners] to close the song session.
Though we didn't know the melodies, it was a lot of fun. Some of them were really catchy, and since the congregational songs were mostly call and response, there was a lot of opportunity for us to participate. It was hard to listen to a solo and know if they were doing a good job or not; it's like a beginner listening to jazz, you have to understand the musical idiom. It was clear that some had better voices, and we found out afterwards that the soloist for "our" half of the synagogue is a very famous singer visiting from New York.
My favorite part was the respect for tradition demonstrated in every aspect of the event. The congregation was quiet for the big solos (for the most part =) and the main soloists would congratulate the younger guys for a good job. Imagine singing the same songs every week for six months; you're gonna know those songs. But the improvisational style, the sense of community bonding, the idea of honor through service, that's tradition that can't be explained in words. You have to experience it.
Everyone came back to our apartment afterwards for bagels at a thrilling 7am. (When was the last time I saw the sun rise?) Everyone left for their respective beds pretty quickly, but we all agreed it was a great experience. Now all I have to do is figure how to do a Reform version. =)
We went to the Aleppo Synagogue (Syrian) only a few blocks from our apartment. They offer free tea and coffee all night to help keep you awake. The whole community is welcome, and they have men and women, little children and teenagers all attending. (Of course, as is their tradition, the women are seated as usual upstairs in the women's section.) There are a lot of honorary positions as part of bakashot: who is the lead soloist, who takes the smaller solos, even who hands out the coffee and tea is an honored job. There's also an auction for who gets the honor of leading the kaddish [prayer for mourners] to close the song session.
Though we didn't know the melodies, it was a lot of fun. Some of them were really catchy, and since the congregational songs were mostly call and response, there was a lot of opportunity for us to participate. It was hard to listen to a solo and know if they were doing a good job or not; it's like a beginner listening to jazz, you have to understand the musical idiom. It was clear that some had better voices, and we found out afterwards that the soloist for "our" half of the synagogue is a very famous singer visiting from New York.
My favorite part was the respect for tradition demonstrated in every aspect of the event. The congregation was quiet for the big solos (for the most part =) and the main soloists would congratulate the younger guys for a good job. Imagine singing the same songs every week for six months; you're gonna know those songs. But the improvisational style, the sense of community bonding, the idea of honor through service, that's tradition that can't be explained in words. You have to experience it.
Everyone came back to our apartment afterwards for bagels at a thrilling 7am. (When was the last time I saw the sun rise?) Everyone left for their respective beds pretty quickly, but we all agreed it was a great experience. Now all I have to do is figure how to do a Reform version. =)
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sounds like fun! actually it sounds like way more fun that playing a show at 3 am the same night as you but in concord with a bunch of drunk hells angels. although, it is intersting how much the concord hells angels love spanish pop music! :-)
dave b.
dave b.
There are a lot of Syrians in Brooklyn, so many that we call them "SY". In the summer they go to this mysterious place in New Jersey called Deal, but I know all about it because my sister-in-law became SY and lives there. So I guess their 3am jam sessions are in Brooklyn but they must be quiet because I can't hear them.
It's interesting to hear you describe how the women sit seperately as a more conservative thing. Here Syrian shuls seem "modern" and carefree with people riding bikes to shul on shabbos and women not covering their hair or wearing just hats, etc.
Anyway HI ANNA! When you come to nyc I'll take you to the park and we'll lose your retainers.
Leah Marie
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It's interesting to hear you describe how the women sit seperately as a more conservative thing. Here Syrian shuls seem "modern" and carefree with people riding bikes to shul on shabbos and women not covering their hair or wearing just hats, etc.
Anyway HI ANNA! When you come to nyc I'll take you to the park and we'll lose your retainers.
Leah Marie
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