Grants Awarded for Dissertations on Jewish Studies Topics, 2007-08
David Moses Presler, Yeshiva University
Exploring the Benefits of Nusach in the Jewish Educational Curriculum
 The role of the arts, and specifically music, in Jewish education is the central theme of Cantor David Moses Presler’s dissertation research. Presler’s project springs from a concern that the Jewish community is losing its heritage of Nusach Hat’fillah—the principles of cantorial improvisation. His proposed study will introduce a small part of Nusach training into the Jewish educational curriculum and will measure the results in terms of students’ musical skills and attitudes towards musical literacy and Nusach.
Presler believes that introducing Nusach into the curriculum may prove especially beneficial to at-risk children, for whom it can provide a unique connection to Judaism. He expects to make recommendations regarding the establishment of teacher training in the pedagogy of Nusach and musical literacy and will create a website which will serve as a world network for sharing Nusach.
Presler is a doctoral candidate at the Azrielli Graduate School at Yeshiva University. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Presler trained with the leading authority on Nusach, Noah Schall.
|
