Certificate in Tefillah Leadership: Shabbat

Instructor: Jessica Kate Meyer
Meetings: Wednesdays @ 3:00pm: October 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18

The angels in Jewish liturgy are clear in their speech and mission. They know what to say, when to say it, and to Whom they are saying it. When American Jewish communities stand together, calling and responding in the poetry of the Kedusha, there is a lot more confusion. In this six-week class, we will study the kedushot of Shabbat shaharit and musaf from textual, mystical, musical, and choreographic perspectives. We will explore the relationship between kahal and shlihat tsibur in the Kedusha’s dialogue and glean more about the nature of prayer.

This class is appropriate for students with strong liturgical Hebrew.

Our Winter Session is open to all who are interested.

1. Song and Sustenance: a Zemiros/t intensive (2 Sessions)
January 27 & 28, 2025 | Shabbat retreat January 31, 2025-February 1, 2025

Shabbat table songs create a unique musical category, music to sustain our souls while digesting a Shabbat lunch, to give us hizuk during a seudah shlishit, and to lift the energy even higher after a rousing Kabbalat Shabbat service. On Thursday and Friday , January 30 and 31, we will study and sing piyyutim of the Shabbat table, to grow our repertoire, and to send us out into the world to galvanize Shabbat tables everywhere. On Shabbat evening and afternoon, January 31 and February 1, we will gather for a mini-retreat, and warm ourselves by the hearth of the zemiros we’ve learned together.

2. קול הנשמה: a Voice Workshop for Prayer Leaders and Sermonizers (1-2 sessions)
Instructor: Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer

As rabbis and shlihei tzibbur, we use our voices publicly more than most people. To be heard, and to sustain our voices over many years in service of the Divine, it is important to connect to our breath support, to learn how to pace ourselves, and to care for this important instrument.

During this workshop, we will focus on practical exercises in support of vocal health and endurance.

3. Prayer Percussion (1-2 sessions)

The rhythm, the beat, the tempo is the engine of prayer. This is what grounds the community and propels us forward, and as shlihei tzibur, we must learn to use our bodies and our shtenders to pick up the pace, slow down the train, or confidently hold the congregation in rhythm. These workshops are for those of us who aren’t percussionists, but who want some fundamental skills, and a few beats for our back pocket.

 Nusah 2.0 (Two 6-Session Modules)

The essence of nusah is improvisation l’Shem Shamayim. The texts of our prayers are codified in the siddur, but the kavanah, the meaning we breathe into these words is through song. In this class, students with a foundational knowledge of Ashkenazi Shabbat nusah will learn modal improvisation, primarily by ear, so we may truly sing to God a new (modally-informed) song.

This class is suited to experienced daveners and students with a musical background and a working knowledge of Ashkenazi Shabbat nusah and liturgy.

The final module of the certificate is a week-long intensive in late May/early June made up of the following components, taught by Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer:

Shabbat Piyutim (3 sessions)

Enter the world of Medieval piyyutim from Edot haMizrah, Middle Eastern Jewish communities. We will study the poetry and the music of Shabbat piyyutim, taking our time to understand some thematic and structural principles of the music.

This class is suited to students with a musical background and strong Hebrew skills.

Masterclass in Tefillah (3 sessions)

Each student will have the opportunity to workshop a prayer service and receive feedback and guidance in the moment. Students will support each other as ‘Jews in the pew’, and with constructive feedback.

This section of the course is particularly geared to students completing the certificate. It is the culmination of the program, giving students the opportunity to synthesize what they’ve learned throughout the year, and to practice and receive feedback on different skills.