By: D Klompsma Last Friday night’s davening concluded with a melody that carried more than just musical beauty—it carried history. A heartfelt thank-you is due to Mendy Meyer, with the support of Alex Grinberg, for bringing the Sefirot Yigdal melody of Juda Izak Vleeschhouwer to life in such a meaningful way. A Melody Rooted in Groningen This particular melody traces its origins to Groningen, the northernmost city in the Netherlands—what many Americans simply call Holland. Si

The Sefira Lecha Dodi. Even though it is used because we want to be less festive during this time (in Frankfurt it seems they used the "Three Weeks" tune supposedly) it happens to be one of the nicest tunes of the whole year. Those who know it, wait for it. The Sefirah Yigdal of Amsterdam. We introduced it last year. Even though KAJ does not sing Yigdal on Shabbos, our little Minyan has adopted this practice- at least when Alexander is here. We are continuing with the 7:1

1. Special tune for “hama’avir Bonov” used only this night and Friday night of Parshas Beshalach. Listen here: https://youtu.be/0DDAUGBK62U?si=s_vxoSA6xsWK_ih8 2. Special tune for Adon Olam and Yishtabach used only on the seventh day of Pesach. 3. As per our KAJ Minhog, we will NOT say the Zulas of “Yom Leyabasha” on either of the two days. 4. Al Hakol will be sung joyously on Acharon Shel Pesach as it is “Matnas Yad”. (Matnas Yad is taken from the Leinin {Kol Habechor} of ev

The maravos are absolutely stunning. An honorable way to bring in the Yom Tov. Yigdal has tunes that are only used on Yomim Tovim The Tal Tefillo uses a tune that is hundreds of years old and likely passed through all the small communities across Germany. (Though it is not the only Yekkishe tune for Tal, by far. In the morning, we will be singing Brach Dodi , which is a piyut based on Shir HaShirim and is asking Hashem to see all the suffering of His people and please, q

Growing up in Washington Heights we were given the privilege to receive Kiddush wine Friday night and after Shabbos each week. We would then mosey on over to the Rav for benching. As the Chazan made Kiddush the entire shul was quiet. The entire Shul also stood for this. Even those who remained seated for much of the Davening, would stand for Kiddush. It is actually the Halacha to do so, the reason given in the name of the Sefer Kol Bo, is that this will strengthen a pe