Collection
A collection of source sheets explaining prayers, often with YouTube videos of different musical versions.
Sheets
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Guide to Friday Evening Services (1 page)This is a sheet that can be printed to help visitors feel welcome in synagogue on Friday evenings. It can be copied and modified to fit other synagogue's needs.
Guide to Saturday Morning Services (1 page)This is a sheet that can be printed to help visitors feel welcome in synagogue on Saturday mornings. It can be copied and modified to fit other synagogue's needs.
What’s With All the Kaddishes?An examination of Kaddishes in general and in specific, with video examples of the many ways of chanting it.
What is Selichot?Background information about Selichot, along with videos of how to chant the basic prayers
David Schwartz•767 Views•August 28, 2025•Selichot,High Holidays,Liturgy,Prayers,Cantor Neil Schwartz
Siddur Tour: Understanding the Structure of ServicesThis is an explanation of why we pray, and the Shabbat Ma’ariv, Shacharit, and Mincha services broken down according to “Warm-up, Shema, Amidah, and Cool-down” framework.
Exploring Kol NidreiA look at Kol Nidrei, including why the Ashkenazic and Sephardic versions are different.
Personally Connecting to HallelA look at Hallel with reflection questions and musical versions
David Schwartz•3060 Views•December 12, 2022•Sukkot,Prayer,Yom HaAtzmaut,Liturgy,Pesach,Debbie Friedman,Safam,Shavuot,Passover,Hallel,Chanukah
How to Change Your Fate: Views on “Ut’shuva, ut’fillah, utzedakah”Different people’s views on the “Uteshuvah, utefillah, utzedakah” line from Unetaneh Tokef, plus a few sources for the line.
Personally Connecting to Avinu MalkeinuBackground, questions, and music for Avinu Malkeinu
Personally Connecting to YigdalAn examination of Yigdal with background, discussion questions, and musical examples, plus basic Biblical and Rabbinic sources for Jewish philosophy
Mi She’ana: Finding Our AnswersAn examination of the stories, with discussion questions, in Mi She’ana, along with musical examples
Personally Connecting to AshamnuAn examination of the various aspects of how we do Ashamnu, plus musical examples
Comparing High Holiday and Shabbat ServicesComparing Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur services
Hashiveinu: From Tisha B’Av to Torah ServiceA basic overview of Tisha B'Av, with a focus on the Hashiveinu line at the end of Eicha. It also includes musical examples of Hashiveinu and Etz Chayim.
Ashrei - A Guaranteed Spot in Heaven?Questions to inspire personal connection to Ashrei, plus different musical settings.
David Schwartz•6828 Views•October 15, 2021•World to Come,Yom Kippur,Generosity,Nusach,Neila,Afterlife,Psalm 145,Psalms,Liturgy,Neilah,Debbie Friedman,Yeshiva Boys Choir,Pesukei D’Zimra,Mincha,BimBam,Peri Smilow,Dead Sea Scrolls,Afternoon Prayers,Shacharit,Heaven,Morning Prayers,Prayer,Ashrei,Poverty,Torah Service
From Rebuke to Comfort: The Haftarot Surrounding Tisha B’AvAn examination of the Haftarot surrounding Tisha B’Av, including musical examples.
Mi ChamochaAn examination of “Mi Chamocha” from a social justice, musical, and liturgical set of lenses.
Hashkiveinu: Questions, Context, MusicAn examination of Hashkiveinu, adapted from Josh Frankel’s sheet.
David Schwartz•5191 Views•October 13, 2020•Liturgy,Music,Ma’ariv,Prayer,Arvit,Tefila,Hashkiveinu,Social Justice
Exploring the Prayer for Our CountryAn examination of the Prayer for the Government and Prayer for our Country
Exploring the Prayer for The State of IsraelAn examination of the different written and musical versions of the Prayer for the State of Israel.
David Schwartz•597 Views•April 4, 2025•Y-Stud,The Maccabeats,Prayer,Six13,State of Israel,Maccabeats,Israel
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David Schwartz
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