Those scales are easy. Like mixolidian in western music, U Dorian (called Freygish and might be what is called Jewish major because the root chord is major although the tune sounds minor) is a harmonic minor scale with the 5 as tonic: D Freygish is G harmonic minor (same going down) starting on D. C Mishebarek would be G harmonic minor starting on C. Never used Phrygian in my klezmer travels that I know of.
Bummer about the sax. Get another one!! Hope the party was swell.
A half step there and one and a half there :) Still the way they interact with harmonies make my head spin.
I have considered buying a tenor or soprano saxophone again, but i am also considering a clarinet as that is the favourite instrument of my wife (who is from a tone-deaf family and therefore never got to play any instrument) - and I still have my shakuhachi flute so I do have a blown instrument.