You’d think that people
Would have had enough
Of silly love songs.
I look around me and I see it isn’t so.
Some people wanna fill the world
With silly love songs.
And what’s wrong with that? I’d like to know.

Years ago, I created kippot with symbols of love songs I imagined singing to God.  There was the one with a moon and sun on it. I enjoyed having folks guess the song it represented (Night and Day).

This year, I suggested to our Temple Or Olam band that we think about doing an entire service of love songs our congregants could imagine singing to God. So we sent out emails, asked for ideas and contributions, and began rehearsing Don McClean and Elvis Presley, the Animals and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Yup, and Cat Stevens, the Beatles, and Van Morrison too. And more.

We created a whole service from the suggestions we received and used almost all we got. Love songs from the sixties through the nineties. Love songs that are joyous and free. Love songs that express sadness and longing. These, two, are part of our relationship with God.

At the service, we’ll find out how those words and melodies mirror the prayers we typically sings – from the Barchu to Mi Chamocha to Adon Olam.

So look in the closet for those headbands, fringes, love beads, and tie-died shirts. Tap into happy, free, and, if you like, what it feels like to be goofy with love.

Join us on August 17 for our first ever Love Song Service at 7 pm at McGill Baptist Church in Concord. There’s a lot that’s right on about all those silly love songs.  J

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Barbara