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The Ba'al Koreh Program at SWFS
11/21/2007 | Cantor Daniel Singer
 The Ba'al Koreh Program
at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
WELCOME
Welcome to the Ba'al Koreh (Master of Reading) Program at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. This is a program that is designed to increase the level of lay involvement in synagogue worship through the ancient practice of Torah reading for those who have already participated in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program and have acquired the Hebrew skills necessary to maintain the title. We sincerely hope that this program will not only increase your involvement in the spiritual life of SWFS year-long, but that your level of proficiency and knowledge of Judaic texts will improve dramatically by participating in this program. Your decision to pursue the title of Ba'al Koreh is a great honor that comes with responsibility, hard work, and dedication. The tradition of the recitation of Torah cannot only rest upon the shoulders of professional leadership. The community needs experienced lay leaders who may also own the tradition and inspire others in the community to pursue the same level of commitment to this ancient Jewish custom.
WHO
Who is a Ba'al Koreh? He/She is literally a Master of Reading. They are a member of the congregation over the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah who is so proficient at chanting the Hebrew text for each of our holy scrolls that they are capable of delivering the text and melodic patterns without much trouble at all. The melodic patterns may be learned through private study, recordings, cantillation references, and/or special computer programs that may be either purchased or borrowed from SWFS or other sources. A certain level of Hebrew proficiency must have already been attained before pursuing the Ba'al Koreh title. It is a title that must be earned and maintained through the regular practice of chanting throughout the year and through the careful and meticulous preparation of the sacred chants for public recitation. There are various levels of mastery that individuals will reach, and individual abilities and talents will certainly vary. If a reader is not sufficiently prepared to read for one particular occasion, there are numerous other opportunities at which the clergy and lay leadership may direct the reader towards.
WHAT
What is cantillation? It is an ancient practice that may be traced back to the Torah itself. The commandment to read the Torah in public appears for the first time in Deuteronomy 31:11-12, where Moses tells the Children of Israel to read the Torah at a great convocation every seven years on the Feast of Tabernacles, at a time when all Israel will be gathered in Jerusalem. The Talmud tells us that "the Bible should be read in public, and made understood to its hearers in musical and sweet tones - and he who reads the Torah without tune, shows disregard for it, and its vital values and laws." It further goes on to say that "whosoever intones the Holy Scriptures in the manner of secular song abuses the Torah." These statements of the Talmud dating to the first century C.E. prove that the reading of the Bible in public in musical style was a long-established practice. It has gone through various evolutions over time, and much more about the rich history of this ancient practice may be learned by engaging yourself fully in the Ba'al Koreh Program throughout the year.
WHERE
When the Talmud mentions a public Torah reading, it did not mean the synagogue at all. In fact, on Monday and Thursday mornings in antiquity, Torah readings were literally given publicly - in the market place! Today, traditional congregations still observe weekday readings of the Torah on Monday and Thursday mornings in the synagogue. Could you imagine standing in the street at Lincoln Center chanting the Torah publicly?! As a Ba'al Koreh at SWFS you may never stand in the streets to chant in front of the masses, but you may be asked to chant in front of well over 1,000 people on the High Holidays in the sanctuary, or you may be asked to chant in front of a more intimate group of people for a Saturday morning minyan service currently being held in the children's library.
WHEN
There are numerous times throughout the year where lay Torah, Haftarah, and Megillah readers will have ample opportunities to hone and demonstrate their chanting skills in front of the community. These opportunities include Shabbat Morning Services when there are no B'nai Mitzvah, the High Holidays, the Shalosh Regalim, and other additional opportunities. Please refer to the attached schedule of opportunities for the year and sign up immediately. There will also be regular appointments scheduled with Cantor Singer, David Richter, or another member of the SWFS community for study sessions on an ongoing basis. All readers, regardless of their proficiency, must meet with the cantor privately at least three times before attempting to chant on the High Holidays or other important occasions.
WHY
Why not?! There is nothing to lose by signing up for an opportunity to learn Torah and its ancient traditions. Don't wait and sign up now!
HOW
Please call Donna Levine, assistant to the clergy, at 212-877-4050 X 223 or email her at dlevine@swfs.org. Please respond immediately, since opportunities to participate are limited and may fill up quickly. We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours in Torah,
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch
Cantor Daniel Singer
And the SWFS Ritual Committee
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