For Rosh Hashanah this year my dad (the Rabbi at Weselyan), in combination with a few students, put together what they called a sound scape. The purpose was to create a unique and alternative art piece that students could connect to and enjoy, as opposed to tradition long boring services. I attended this event partly to support my dad, and partly to show my friend Levey some of the jewish and art scenes at Wesleyan, where he's trying to go. That said, I was blown away by my own experience, and how much I both enjoyed, and learned from the event. So what is a sound scape? For fifteen minutes, myself, and about 70 other people sat in a completely dark room, stared at two lit candles, and listened. We were immersed in the sounds of crying, singing, chanting, lecturing, birds, waves, fire and countless other noises. The lack of other senses being stimulated made me completely hone in on what I was hearing, yet I’m sure I missed many things. The volume of the speakers, combined with the background ambient noise to leave my whole body vibrating, feeling the beat and base of the noise.

 

While this modern art piece may at first seem to be just that, the truth is it was a Jewish event, and there are many ties to the global studies religion theme. The idea of keeping very old traditions and holidays relevant and valuable in contemporary lives is something I think many religious people wrestle with. Why is it that every year around the same time, I put a cloth around my shoulders and read an old book? By keeping traditions alive, but deviating from having each year be exactly the same, religion can remain relevant, but also uphold its old values, as seen in this event.

 

The audio clips that were compiled for this were all sent in by students, and all held individual meaning, highlighting each Jews similarities and differences. This piece truly highlighted how fundamental connection is on a personal level to religion and its relevance in a modern world. While I may have recognized a song, it was being sung in a different tune, or even more simply, by a different voice. For many years now I have gone to High Holy Day services at Wesleyan, and Rosh Hashana services are always outdoors. When I hear the rustle of leaves, and the chirping of birds I instantly connect to those noises, and am drawn back into this scene. Conversely, the clip of classic Hebrew and Yiddish chanting echoing around a massive synagogue is something I don't relate to at all. By highlighting many peoples' different and meaningful Jewish sounds, a contemporary piece of Jewish history was formed.

 

Finally, one particularly unique moment in the sound scape, was when the voice of Zalman Schachter-Shalomi could be heard delivering a sermon saying “the world needs to be guided”. I believe guidance is what so many people are missing in life, and why they turn to religion, and alternatively, what religions try to provide for people, and the world.