Please use the outline below to plan your service. While all services incorporate most of these prayers and readings, there is room for the B'nei Mitzvah family to make some choices about which are included. When our Siddur offers a choice of alternative readings for one section, the B'nei Mitzvah's family may choose any of the alternative readings provided. The final service outline will be designed in coordination with the rabbi and each family.
The B'nei Mitzvah service offers opportunities to honor special friends and family members, regardless of religious affiliation. These honors may include leading a reading or blessing, reciting the blessings for an Aliyah, and dressing the Torah. It is our custom to include a non-Jewish spouse or partner to join in any role or participation in the service. This applies also to those called for an Aliyah to the Torah. Once you have selected friends and family members to take part in the service, please complete the Aliyah form and email it to Rabbi Edery.
| Page | Song/Blessing | Details (Reader/Chanter/Singer, etc.) | Audio Link (if available) |
| Opening Song | Decided by family. Some options: Hineh Mah Tov (p.10), Lo Isa Goy (p. 59, #14), Bim Bam |
Audio | |
| 10 | Blessing for Tallit | The giving of the Tallit can be done by relatives close to the B’nei Mitzvah, most typically the parents or grandparents. The student recites the blessing. |
Audio |
| 10 | Mah Tovu | Student will chant first and then read remainder in English. | Audio |
| 10 | For Body & Health | Student, or may be assigned to relative or friend. | |
| 10 | For Spirit & Personality | Student, or may be assigned to relative or friend. | |
| 10 | Blessing for Torah | Read in Hebrew by student. | Audio |
| 11 | Waking Up to a New Day | Student chants in Hebrew, responsively. | Audio |
| 12-14 | Learning from the Talmud | Select one of the readings in these pages (choose one of the 7 sections—not more, not less). It may be assigned to relative or friend. |
|
| 15 | Blessed is the One | This blessing can be read by the student, or relative or friend. | |
| 17-18 | Readings from the Psalms | Optional. You may select one section, reading or song. It may be assigned to relative or friend. |
|
| 19 | Halleluyah | Sung by the congregation. | Audio |
| 20 | Reader's Kaddish | Student | Audio |
| 21 | Barchu | Student | Audio |
| 21 | Yotzer Or | Student reads the first line in Hebrew, the rest in English. | |
| 23-24 | Revelation/Ahavah Rabbah | Rabbi | |
| 25-27 | Sh'ma & V'ahavta | Student | Audio |
| 28 | Redemption (Geulah) or Truth in Which We Trust |
Select either the top or the bottom reading. This section may be assigned, in Hebrew or English, to a Jewish friend or relative. | |
| 29 | Michamoka | Student chants in Hebrew. | Audio |
| 30 | Amidah | Student chants in Hebrew. | Avot v'Imahot G'vurot |
| 31 | Consecration (Kedushah) | Student chants. | Audio |
| 32 | Retzeh | The section “Avodah - Service of Worship” may be read (optional), in English, by anyone designated. Student then leads singing in Hebrew at the bottom. |
Audio |
| 33 | Hoda'ah (Gratitude) | Select one of the three sections on this page. Student, or someone assigned, leads in English. |
|
| 34 | V'shamru | Student or Cantorial Soloist leads. | Audio (V'shamru) |
| 35 | Shalom - Peace | Student or Cantorial Soloist leads, singing Shalom Rav (at the top). May be followed by the next reading in English. (Optional.) |
Audio |
| Silent Meditation | We take two minutes for silent meditation, and/or to follow the readings on pages 36-39 individually. This time may be enhanced with appropriate instrumental music, by anyone who may provide adequate music. This is a good opportunity to involve anyone musically-talented among family and friends. |
||
| 39 | Oseh Shalom or Yhiu Leratzon |
Student joins singing one of these songs. | Oseh Shalom (Traditional) Oseh Shalom (Additional Option) Yhiu Letrazon |
| 47 | Ein Kamocha (The Reading of Torah) | Student leads singing in Hebrew the first section. As an honor, a family member or Jewish friend/couple can be asked to come up to the Bimah and remove the Torah from the Aron HaKodesh (Ark of the Holy). | Audio |
| 47 | Vay'hi Beensoah | Student leads singing in Hebrew. | Audio |
| L'dor Vador | Symbolically passing the Torah from one generation to the next. Grandparents and parents come up to the Bimah for a ceremonial passing of the Torah across generations. |
||
| 48 | Sh'ma | Student leads. | Audio |
| 48 | Hakahfah (Torah Processional) | The cantorial soloist and Rabbi lead singing as the Bnei Mitzvah, accompanied by their family, carry the Torah around and back to the Bimah. | |
| 48-49 | Torah Blessings and Reading |
A person or couple is called for a blessing before the reading of verses from Torah (this is an “Aliyah.") We may have up to six “Aliyot” (plural), plus one for the B'nei Mitzvah. Ideally, you will have the Hebrew name for each person and his/her parents to facilitate calling up that individual to recite the Torah Blessing by their Hebrew name. The Hebrew name is not a requirement, but this is a special opportunity to mention it if we have one and know it. |
Audio |
| Misheberah (Prayer for Healing) |
Rabbi. | ||
| 50 | Parent's Prayer | Following their Aliyah to the Torah, parents remain by the Bimah. Then, the B'nei Mitzvah has their Aliyah. Then, parents recite (together or alternatively) this prayer. |
|
| 51 | V'zot Ha'Torah (Lifting the Torah) |
The Cantorial Soloist sings as the Torah is lifted. You can choose one person to lift the Torah, if they are experienced, and one to three people to dress the Torah. Dressing the Torah can be a good role for younger siblings and relatives. *We ask families to provide an English and Hebrew version of the Torah and Haftarah readings in a booklet, so all congregants can follow the text as Torah is read. Rabbi Edery will assist in preparing this, at your request. |
|
| 51 | Haftarah Blessings and Chanting |
Student. | Audio (Blessings) |
| Returning the Torah to the Ark | You may bestow this honor on a Jewish relative or friend. | ||
| 52 | Yehalelu and Eitz Chayim | Student and Cantorial Soloist. | Audio (Eitz Chayim) |
| The following elements can be done in the order suggested below or in another order, if you prefer. You can also add blessings or presentations to meet the needs of your family. Bar Mitzvah D’Var Torah (Sermon) and Thank you’s Presentation of Gifts by Beth Shalom Officers Parents’ Comments Rabbi’s comments |
|||
| 50 | Priestly Blessing | Rabbi. | |
| 53-54 | Aleinu | Student. | Audio |
| 55 | Kaddish | Rabbi/Cantorial Soloist. | |
| 56-63 | Closing Songs | Od Yavo, Adamah veShamayim, Adon Olam | |
| 64 | Hamotzi and Kiddush | The Bnei Mitzvah and their family lead Kiddush and HaMotzi. Other family members or friends can also be invited to join at the Bimah for these blessings. |
Fri, October 4 2024 2 Tishrei 5785