Sherry Barnes joined Temple Emanu-El in 1987. In May of 1989 she became an adult bat mitzvah and began teaching in the Hebrew School that fall. In 2001 Sherry became Temple Emanu-El's first full-time Cantorial Soloist. She enjoys teaching an adult Hebrew classes, B'nai Mitzvah students, as well as congragants interested in chanting Torah.She has the pleasure of leading the Temple Emanu-El Choir. Sherry can be reached by e-mail at shirie3860@aol.com.

I just returned from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, where I attended a program on our new siddur, Mishkan T’fillah. I was very happy to study with people like Dr. Sarason, teaching liturgy, Cantor Shore, Cantor Bernard, and for those who remember her, Cantor Lanie Katzew, teaching us new music and nusach. We even were fortunate enough to have Bonia Shur, a marvelous composer, teaching us and hanging out with us. I also got to see Ari and Ezra Rosenberg before I left and they look wonderful!  Cantor Shore said she thought that Ari would make a wonderful rabbi and I wholeheartedly agreed. I also went up to the Skirball Museum to take a gander at Rabbi Rosenberg’s class graduation picture. It is always makes me smile.

Back to the prayer book, since most of what we talked about was Mishkan T’fillah. I’ll share some insights and thoughts that I came away with. Unlike our present prayer book, Gates of Prayer, which has 10 Shabbat Evening Services, Mishkan T’fillah has only 2. Mishkan T’fillah’s new 2 page layout allows you the freedom to either pick the prayer in Hebrew on the right side, or choose a poem or reading on the left side, that is similar to the prayer. Dr. Sarason said, Mishkan T’fillah is all about options, or better yet choices, informed choices. You can choose how you move through the service. Do you approach a service more traditionally or more creatively?  Actually, it isn’t about the prayer book at all, it is still about our congregation and what we want from a Shabbat Evening or Shabbat Morning service. We were asked to put together a Shabbat morning service. I definitely felt more thought and creativity went into the service because of it’s layout and choices. There are new English readings and also familiar readings from Gates of Prayer. There are opportunities to learn new melodies for prayers and yet we do not have to leave behind the melodies that we love.

This program was a chance to understand Mishkan T’fillah better and I must say that I truly enjoyed it.

When will we get to start using Mishkan T’fillah?  Well, I heard two nice opinions. One person said shipping could start as soon as this October, and the other said we should definitely have it before the Messiah comes. No matter when this new siddur comes, change can often be unsettling. Along with coming of the new year, I am hoping that you will embrace this opportunity and find this new change in siddurim an exciting learning and growing experience. L’shana tova umitukah!

B’shir,

Sherry