Since my father died I have been going to morning minyan every day. I hadn't been going to services daily since I graduated from high school in 1978. In those days, when I went to services in school, I davened behind a mechitza . When I davened at my home synagogue, although I didn't daven behind a mechitza , services were still not egalitarian. While I was an enthusiastic participant, I didn't have the opportunity to lead services. I have led services occasionally in the intervening years. In the terror of standing before the ark, my voice has often come out pinched, choked and a little weird. It has been difficult for me to pace my breathing so that I could sing smoothly, and lead others comfortably. My synagogue is egalitarian, men and women lead equally. Like my father, or more accurately to honor my father, who was always on time, I try my best to be at services just before they start. That means, I'm often called upon to lead. Leading over and over, during the...
A blog, mostly about my work making Jewish ritual objects, but with detours into garment making, living in New York City, cooking, and other aspects of domestic life. A note about comments: I love comments from readers, from spammers, not so much. I approve comments before posting them so comments are not cluttered with junk. It may take a few hours before your posts appear. Be patient. If you are a real person with a real comment it will be posted.