Sunday Salon

In the Ashkenazi world, Nusach determines how a prayer is chanted. There is Nusach for weekdays, Shabbat, festivals, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Even on Yom Kippur the Nusach changes a bit for Neilah. The Reform and Conservative movements have taken some liberties and have not strictly adhered to these concepts in their musical settings of the prayers; however, there is no such concept in the Sefardi musical liturgy. The Bendigamos (let us bless) has an interesting history – the composer and author of the text is not known, but many of the composers of the Portuguese musical liturgy took elements of the Bendigamos in their compositions. We will trace its history, where, when and how it is sung. We will also hear the choir of the Spanish and Portuguese synagogue sing it, as well as some other prayer settings of the Portuguese Jews. Come join us for a fascinating presentation.