Kol Nidre

[dorchadas]

I bought tickets to Mikshan Chicago's Kol Nidre service last month, and so after I signed off the internet for 25 hours, I went down to the Vic Theatre near Belmont to go to services.

I've known about Mishkan for years. siraris clued me into it back in 2014 or so, but it took until last year until I attended anything even Mishkan-adjacent, when we went to a Shabbat dinner organized through OneTable. I figured a large, less personal event might be a better way to get the mood of Mishkan than going to a Shabbat service and I don't know if I was right, but I certainly learned enough to want to go back!

I'm a bit of a stick-in-the-mud, so translations like rendering Exodus 33:17 as "And G-d said, 'You got it' " weren't really my favorite, but I loved the music. A lot of it was in a minor key, and it sounded a lot more haunting than music I've heard elsewhere. At least some of it was specifically written by Mishkan musicians, and there was a violinist and a guitarist accompanying the music. If that's what the music is always like at their services, I'd go back just for the music.

The rabbi reminded me a lot of resalamont, in appearance, tone of voice, and demeanor. And I definitely saw gothiklezmer up on stage.

I only did Kol Nidre, but maybe next year (if I'm still in Chicago), I'll spring for the full package. And I'm definitely going to Shabbat services during the year.

May you all have been inscribed in the Book of Life!