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Hebrew
Culture club welcomes speaker
By Tonya Roberts,
Photo by Giovani Billings
 Amy
Lefko, cantor at Temple Israel, spoke to the Hebrew Culture Club,
Nov. 12, in Fireside. Lefko shared many great insights about the Jewish
religion and culture. One of the first things she did was describe
the role of a cantor, a position with which many Christians are unfamiliar.
The cantor is the music minister, of sorts, for the synagogue. Lefko's
tasks include leading chants and certain prayers during services,
teaching students to read the Biblical text with the proper canticulation
(Hebrew musical notations) in preparation for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
and teaching adult institute classes.
She demonstrated by singing several songs in Hebrew and taught the
group a number of songs (all Biblically inspired), incorporating movements
to add a bit of fun to the experience. The group enjoyed watching
her explain the different Jewish songs while she was teaching portions
out of a few songs.
Lefko explained that there are different types of Judaism, and spoke
about the Kosher (dietary) restrictions within Judaism, observance
of the Sabbath as well as her own personal journey of faith. She was
inspired to pursue her faith while on a trip to Israel shortly after
her graduation from high school. She later studied music at the University
of Kansas and has since become the only cantor in the state of Oklahoma
(something she considers a wonderful challenge.)
Lefko enjoys working with the Jewish community in Tulsa, as well as
the sense of family which she feels here. |
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