High Holy Days Songs and Blessings
Here you'll find a collection of songs and blessings for the High Holy Days sung by Cantor Abby Gostein.
This year, we share with you a series of reflections from Cantor Abby Gostein about our High Holy Day music in 5785 (2024). We will add to these as the weeks of Elul unfold.
Reenvisioning Avinu Malkeinu in 5785 (2024)
One of the most beloved and anticipated moments of the High Holy Days liturgy is the singing of "Avinu Malkeinu." Both the traditional melody and the Max Janowski setting, popularized by Barbara Streisand, refer to God as Avinu Malkeinu, which, literally translated, means Our Father, Our King. It is one of the many names we use for God.
For some of us, the image of God as Father or King, or the idea of coming before a fatherly or kingly figure to ask for forgiveness, may feel uncomfortable or out of sync with our theology. This year, during the High Holy Days, our people's important time of self-reflection and of t'shuvah, repentance and return, we will have the opportunity to experience an alternative.
Last year, Jewish composer Beth Schafer introduced her "Avinu Malkeinu" rendition, called "M'kor Hachayim," which keeps the words of the liturgy as written in our machzor, except for the name she uses for God. She refers to God in the text as M'kor Hachayim, meaning Source of Life. You can see and hear her singing it here. This Rosh Hashanah, the Temple Beth Shalom Kol Hakavod Ensemble will sing this rendition and will also sometimes sing the traditional melody with the words M'kor Chayeinu (Source of our Lives), rather than Avinu Malkeinu. For those of us used to the traditional words, this will likely feel strange and even difficult.
I encourage us all to use the opportunity to think about how we relate to God, especially during these Days of Awe. What is the name for God that resonates for you today and as we enter into this season? Throughout the year, how does that name or image or relationship change? And how does that reflect on your inner being and relationship with other people and your larger community?
May these High Holy Days be ones of new experiences, ideas, and connections, as well as continued engagement in deeply ingrained and meaningful traditions.
Hashiveinu/Open the Way
During Selichot services (Saturday, Sept. 28) and at a few other services during the High Holy Days, we will sing Hashiveinu/Open the Way. Here is a video of our choir singing it.
This is a contemporary setting by Yoel Sykes (of the Israeli musical prayer group, Nava Tehila) of traditional words from Lamentations that we sing each year to ask that we might return to a place we long for, a place in which we may find ourselves ready to begin anew in our task to strive for righteousness and holiness.
Oseh Shalom
Here is another melody we will be experiencing during High Holy Days this year! It is a Spanish-Portuguese Oseh Shalom that some members of our choir will sing on Yom Kippur morning. It is a prayer of peace we will use this year to help transition us into our Yom Kippur afternoon learning and prayers.
B'Shira (In Song),
Cantor Abby Gostein
Avinu Malkeinu (traditional)
Adonai s'fatai and avot v'imahot
Achat Sha’alti (sung by Chava Mirel)
Kiddush (High Holy Days)
We Return (sung by Noah Aronson and Elana Arian)
Another Resource for You: Music to Listen to During the High Holidays, from ReformJudaism.org.
Playlists ranging from traditional, contemporary, to tunes geared to young families.