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cellioI led services at Tree of Life last night. It rocked. This was the best I've done of the last few times, at least -- no mistakes, I was in good voice, and there was more kavanah (rough translation: appropriate intent/mood) than usual. I got lots of compliments, including from the person who leads the weekday morning service. (He's good and I look up to him to some degree.)
There are some logistics that I still have to work out with Rabbi Berkun. Specifically, he reads Hebrew much more quickly than I do, so during the parts of the service that are supposed to be silent, I know he is sometimes waiting for me. Last night he jumped in and started reading something (aloud) that I was about to chant, but I wasn't there yet. We need cues or something. I'm generally stripping these parts down to the halachic minimum because I know this problem exists, but it can be hard to judge pacing.
(Because, as chazan, I am praying on behalf of the congregation, there are certain things that I must say for the service to be valid. There is other stuff that one can say and that most people do include, and one of these days I'll be proficient enough to do so.)
This morning there was no bar mitzvah, so we were able to have a leisurely service with a Torah reading. The senior rabbi is still away, so the associate rabbi led. (The senior rabbi and I do this every year: he goes off to be a camp counselor or something for two weeks and then as he's getting back I go off to Pennsic for two weeks, so we go a month without seeing each other.)
This afternoon my reading lamp exploded. Bummer; it made the rest of the day more challenging. "Exploded" is perhaps too strong a word, but the timer kicked on, there was a flash and a loud pop, and then there was a cloud of smoke. I was concerned enough that I unplugged it right away. Later investigation showed that the base of the bulb and the inside of the socket had disintegrated, and the switch was also no longer attached. It was a good lamp (and one I've had for 30+ years), but I guess its time finally came.
There are some logistics that I still have to work out with Rabbi Berkun. Specifically, he reads Hebrew much more quickly than I do, so during the parts of the service that are supposed to be silent, I know he is sometimes waiting for me. Last night he jumped in and started reading something (aloud) that I was about to chant, but I wasn't there yet. We need cues or something. I'm generally stripping these parts down to the halachic minimum because I know this problem exists, but it can be hard to judge pacing.
(Because, as chazan, I am praying on behalf of the congregation, there are certain things that I must say for the service to be valid. There is other stuff that one can say and that most people do include, and one of these days I'll be proficient enough to do so.)
This morning there was no bar mitzvah, so we were able to have a leisurely service with a Torah reading. The senior rabbi is still away, so the associate rabbi led. (The senior rabbi and I do this every year: he goes off to be a camp counselor or something for two weeks and then as he's getting back I go off to Pennsic for two weeks, so we go a month without seeing each other.)
This afternoon my reading lamp exploded. Bummer; it made the rest of the day more challenging. "Exploded" is perhaps too strong a word, but the timer kicked on, there was a flash and a loud pop, and then there was a cloud of smoke. I was concerned enough that I unplugged it right away. Later investigation showed that the base of the bulb and the inside of the socket had disintegrated, and the switch was also no longer attached. It was a good lamp (and one I've had for 30+ years), but I guess its time finally came.