MARCH 2020

Music Makes The People Come Together

​Jamming Out with Our Brains
 
Perhaps because of the misinterpreted verse in Exodus 20:3-4 (regarding making graven images), Jewish tradition has put a greater emphasis on expression through music rather than visual arts. The musicality of our people is on display throughout the entire Hebrew Bible—from simple daily greetings to big lifecycle events, and from intimate emotional moments to communal worship. Perhaps it is from the psalmist’s instruction for us to sing a new song that we have continued to invent and reinvent ways in which to use music to pray, relax, communicate, and meditate.
 
Now, you may say, “I’m not a musical person. I don’t know a quarter note from a treble clef… how am I supposed to bring music to my teaching?!” Fear not! With the onset of the technological revolution we now have a myriad of ways in which we can all bring musically-inspired learning into our classroom environments. Even if you’re a musical expert, we expect you might get a nugget of new information to enhance your time with your students:
 

• Music on the Mind/Jamming Out With Our Brains: learn about the neural reasoning behind how music can help our students learn.
• Jewsical Theater: learn how you can bring the wonder of musical theater to your lessons.
• Learn the Lingo: Judaism has some of its own specific language around music, and you can get started with some of these basics.
• Sensational Suggestions for Successful Song Sessions: learn how to craft an excellent song session for your audience
• To Participate or Not: getting folks involved even when they feel like they have a “bad voice”

 
As Madonna once said, “Music… brings the people… together!” So bring some people together after being inspired by this month’s musical newsletter!