High Holy Days -- Sing along!

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At our synagogue -- as at many synagogues -- the most powerful moments of the High Holy Days are connected not only with words, but with music.

If  you're joining us for the High Holy Days in Hoboken this year and you want a refresher of some of the melodies we will be singing, click on the links below.  We'll add more sound clips as time goes on.

Mekhalkel hayyim be-hesed -- the special high holy melody to this passage from the Amidah

Avinu Malkeinu -- perhaps the most well-known congregational melody for the High Holy Days

Hayom -- 'hayom' means 'today.'  We sing this rousing prayer at the conclusion of the morning service on each day of Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur.  The words (actually, 'word') are very simple to sing along.

Kevodcha malei olam -- New for our synagogue this year.  This melody was composed by my colleague Cantor Ken Richmond, with whom I served on the Mahzor Lev Shalem Editorial Committee.  The words are from a medieval Spanish Hebrew poem by Yehuda Halevi, and the melody was composed in honor of the new Mahzor Lev Shalem.  Sheet music is at http://rabbinicalassembly.org/mahzor/mahzor%20music/Yah%20Ana-Richmond.pdf

Od Yavo Shalom:   This contemporary Israeli song in Hebrew and Arabic has become a classic... and no High Holiday experience is complete at USH without it -- here's a recording of the USH Choir together with Cantigas.

Kol Nidrei -- The most famous melody for Yom Kippur evening. traditionally sung three times.

Shanah Tovah!

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