or me, the power of synagogue music emanates from the potent role that it can play in the act of prayer. Its job must be to make the words come alive and fly off the pages of the prayer book, drawing on the traditional week day, Shabbat and festival modes.

It's about perpetuating our musical heritage so that the music maintains its proper association with each festival, in the same way as traditional foods play the role in defining the character of each of the different Jewish Holidays.

It's about interpreting the words in a way that is aligned with the mood, character and meaning of the text, It's about inspiring the congregant and embarking on a journey to a higher plane. It's about creating an environment that allows the conduit to be opened in order to reach a place beyond ourselves.

It's about variety, so the same text is not mechanically reproduced, week in and week out. It's about participation, vocal, emotional and intellectual. It's about beauty and engaging the worshipper.

It's about tradition and innovation and, unlike opera. popular music or art song, in theory you are singing something you actually mean, not just reproducing a fictitious libretto or playing the part of a certain character.

So, when we pray for peace, happiness, health, forgiveness, etc., it is for real.

It is not a reenactment of something. It's a spontaneous life request. It's like breaking news. It's not a recording. It's actually happening in the moment. There is nothing more beautiful, particularly when the music is really engaging, which could be, because of the beauty of the melody, the dramatic nature of the music, it's 'catchiness', it's simplicity or sophistication and so on.

May our prayers be accepted by the merciful and let us be blessed with a happy and healthy New Year.