Collection
A collection of source sheets explaining prayers, often with YouTube videos of different musical versions.
Sheets
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Al HanisimA 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.
Personally Connecting to Birkat HaMazonA sheet giving background and posing questions to help connect with the basic parts of Birkat HaMazon, plus musical versions!
Shivat Tziyon: The Return to Zion in Jewish LiturgyAn examination of references to returning to Israel or Jerusalem in the liturgy
Personally Connecting to Shir HaMa’alot (Psalm 126)Ways to connect with the words of Psalm 126, plus some musical versions
Personally Connecting to the Festival Evening KiddushAn examination of the Festival Evening Kiddush from many angle
Personally Connecting to HavdalahA sheet with questions to personally connect to Havdalah - also musical versions and the sources for each verse before the blessings.
Exploring the Prayer for The State of IsraelAn examination of the different written and musical versions of the Prayer for the State of Israel.
David Schwartz•186 Views•April 4, 2025•Six13,Prayer,Israel,Y-Stud,Maccabeats,The Maccabeats,State of Israel
Mi ChamochaAn examination of “Mi Chamocha” from a social justice, musical, and liturgical set of lenses.
Hashkiveinu: Questions, Context, MusicAn examination of Hashkiveinu, adapted from Josh Frankel’s sheet.
David Schwartz•3953 Views•October 13, 2020•Hashkiveinu,Liturgy,Prayer,Music,Social Justice,Arvit,Tefila,Ma’ariv
Personally Connecting to Baruch She'amarQuestions to help people personally connect with Baruch She’amar, along with background on the prayer (including videos of the nusach and congregational melodies)
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.
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.
Hashiveinu: From Tisha B’Av to Torah ServiceA 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.
Making Friday Evening MeaningfulExplanation of Shabbat evening rituals, with both basic and deeper explanations.
David Schwartz•3265 Views•February 7, 2022•Angels,Exodus,Shalom Aleichem,Shabbat,Sam Glaser,Ephraim,Eishet Chayil,Candles,Blessings,Fiddler on the Roof,Washing,Salting of the Sacrifices,Menashe,Birkat Kohanim,Blessing,Parental Blessing,Amen,Hands,Priestly Blessing,Kiddush,Friday Evening,Wine,Hamotzi,Motzi,Washing of the Hands,Cantor Neil Schwartz,Mikdash Me’At,Jacob's Blessing,Creation,Blessing Children,Grape Juice,Rituals,Salt,Challah,Grapes
Personally Connecting to Avinu MalkeinuBackground, questions, and music for Avinu Malkeinu
Personally Connecting to Birkot HaShacharQuestions to connect to the blessings of Birkot HaShachar, along with a recap of its evolution plus different examples of nusach and congregational melodies.
David Schwartz•1172 Views•October 30, 2024•Cantor Neil Schwartz,Liturgy,Noah Aronson,Prayer,Social Justice,Birkot HaShachar,Shacharit
Social Justice in the SiddurDavid Schwartz•5063 Views•October 17, 2017•Ger,Community,Social Action,Liberation,Amidah,Psalm 146,Peace,Refugee,Motzi,Redemption,Immigration,Mi Chamocha,Weekday Amidah,Tzedakah,Social Justice,Benching,Oppression,Love,Converts,Birkot Hashachar,Birchot Hashachar,Tefila,Birkat,Geula,Healing,Immigrants,Hashkiveinu,Siddur,Poverty,Tikkun Olam,Liturgy,Hunger,Bentching,Hamotzi,Ahava Raba,Aleinu,Education,Peah,Eilu d'Varim,Stranger,Ahava Rabba,Birkat Hamazon,Prayer
Personally Connecting to YigdalAn examination of Yigdal with background, discussion questions, and musical examples, plus basic Biblical and Rabbinic sources for Jewish philosophy
Editors
David Schwartz
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