BethSholomSynagogue
YourBar/BatMitzvah
Journey
AGuideforthePerplexed
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TableofContents
Who’sWhointheB’naiMitzvahJourney……………………………………………………………………….…….3
Bar/BatMitzvahTimeline……………………………………………………..................................................4
GuidelinesforDistributingHonors………………………………………………………………………….……….……6
ABar/BatMitzvahisOnePartofOurCommunityShabbat……………….…………………………………..8
Photography………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………9
PartyLogistics…………………………………………………………………………………….………….……………………10
JourneyToAdulthoodProject………………………………………………………………………………………………12
EducationalandCommunityGoalsandExpectations………………………………………………………….13
LearningGoals……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13
Glossary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
AppendixAKosherSymbols
AppendixBHonorsAssignmentSheet
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Who’sWhointheB’naiMitzvahJourney
TheBethSholomSynagoguecommunityisheretosupportandencourageyouonthisjourney.Here
aresomeofthemainsupportpersonnelthroughtheBar/BatMitzvahprocess,andabriefdescription
ofwhattheirroleswillbe.
PeninaHoffnung,Bar/BatMitzvahCoordinator
Roles:
• Ombudsman,yourfirststoptoaskanyquestion.
• Coordinatoroftutoring.
• Reviewerofstudentprogress.
• GuideandapproverofMitzvahandJourneytoAdulthoodprojects.
RabbiIlanGlazer
Roles:
• YourGuidethroughin-depthstudyofTorahportion,researchingandorganizingtheD’varTorah.
• SpiritualcounselorforanyphilosophicalortheologicalquestionstheBar/BatMitzvahstudent
mayhave.
• Pastoralsupportforfamiliesthroughouttheprocess.
• Arbiterofritualpracticeinvolvedintheceremonyandcelebration.
RoseRoss,D’varTorahCoach
Roles:
• WorkswiththestudentonthelaststagesofD’varTorahcrafting.
• Coachingonpresentation,2-3weeksbeforethefinalrun-through.
GeoPoor,SynagogueExecutiveDirector,CoordinatorofLogisticsandFinances
Roles:Eventplannerandcoordinator,coveringcatering,photography,decorations,music,pointperson
aboutsynagoguepolicies,rulesandregulationsofbuildinguse,andallexpensesandfinancial
arrangements.
Tutors:
DavidMoinester,AllenIsrael,JerrySiegler,JanetLight,DotBilsky,andmore…
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Bar/BatMitzvahTimeline
12monthsprior
1. BeginattendingShabbatmorningservicesweeklyasaBar/BatMitzvahfamily.Astheyear
progresses,theBar/BatMitzvahcelebrantwillbecalledupontoleadseveralpartsofthe
service,aspracticetowardsthebigday.
2. Ifyoufeelyourchildhasspeciallearningissuesthatwouldrequireextrapreparatorytimefor
his/herBar/BatMitzvahmaterial,contacttheDirectorofCongregationalLearningtocreatea
suitablelearningplan.
3. AttendBar/BatMitzvahfamilyworkshops.
4. ContacttheDirectorofCongregationalLearningtocreatealearningplanfortheBar/Bat
Mitzvahprocessandbeginschedulinglessons.
6-9monthsprior
1. Allfeesandduestothesynagoguemustbecurrent.
2. Createyourguestlist.
3. IfyouwouldliketoincludeotheradultsintheTorahreadingsfortheBar/BatMitzvah,contact
therabbitocoordinatethis.Peopleneedtimetolearnthereading,sopleasedothiswith
plentyoftimetospare.TherabbiwillbehappytoprovidearecordingoftheTorahreadingand,
ifdesired,apictureofthereadingfromtheTorahscrollwe’llbeusingonthedayoftheBar/Bat
Mitzvah.
4. Reserveacaterer,florist,linens,photographer,videographer,andahotelforout-of-town
guests.Orderyourinvitations.Pleasebesuretoindicatethatourmorningservicebeginsat
9:15a.m.RememberthatphotographsandvideosmaynotbetakenonShabbat.
5. AttendBar/BatMitzvahfamilyworkshops.
6. Beginimplementingthe13StepstoAdulthoodprojects.
3-6monthsprior
1. ContacttheExecutiveDirectorregardingKiddushluncheon,flowersandanyspecialrequests.
2. Orderatallitandtefillinset.
3. IfyouaregoingtohaveapamphletforguestsunfamiliarwithJewishtradition,beginworkingon
thisnow.DirectorofCongregationalLearninghassamplesofhowotherfamilieshavedonethis
foryoutouseasaguide.
4. Continue13stepstoAdulthoodprojects.
6-8weeksprior
1. OrderKippot.
2. MailInvitations.
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3. Scheduleafamilymeetingwiththerabbitodiscussspecificsoftheservice.Allowanhouranda
half.
4. Beginthinkingabouthonorsdistributions.
5. Ifyouwouldlikefortherabbitobeapartofyourphotographysession,pleasemakesureto
arrangeandconfirmitviatherabbinicassistant.ThencontacttheExecutiveDirectorwithyour
preferreddateforaphotosession.
6. Schedulethephotosessionwithyourphotographer.
7. Create13StepstoAdulthooddisplay/presentation.
4-6weeksprior
1. SubmitinformationandphotototheHebrewWatchman.hebwat@bellsouth.net.Thereisa
nominalfeetopublishapicture.ThedeadlineforsubmissionsisnoonThursdayoftheweek
priortopublication.
2. Parentsshouldworkontheirremarks.Theseshouldbeintheformofablessing,andnomore
than200words.TheblessingshouldconcentrateonwelcomingyourchildintoJewish
adulthood,and,ifpossible,includesomereferencetotheTorahportion.
3. Ordercandy(Optional).ThereisanoptionalcustomofgentlytossingcandyattheBar/Bat
Mitzvahyouthafters/hehasfinishedchantingtheblessingsaftertheHaftarahinordertowish
her/himalongandsweetlife.PermittedcandymaybepurchasedfromtheBethSholomoffice
atacostof$20for100pieces.
2-4weeksprior
1. ContacttheExecutiveDirectorandfinalizealldetailsincludingsetupoftheSocialHall.
2. SubmityourAliyotformtotheoffice.
3. ContacttheExecutiveDirectorwithanestimatednumberofyoungchildrenamongyourguests
whowillrequirebabysittingthroughourShabbatmorningprogram.AdonationtoBethSholom
wouldbeappreciatedforthisservice.BabysittingisavailableforShabbatmorningservicesonly.
4. Scheduleyourfinalrun-throughwiththerabbi.
1-2weeksprior
1. Allroomrentalandkitchensupervisorfeesaredue.
2. Scheduleafinalfamilyrun-throughwithyourrabbi.Allow3hoursforthis.
THEWEEKOFTHEBAR/BATMITZVAH
1. Bringcandy,kippotandanyadditionalwineyouwantservedtothesynagogueofficenolater
than2p.m.onFriday.
2. Completealldeliveriesby2p.m.onFriday.
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GuidelinesforDistributingHonors
ThereareanumberofwaysyoucanhonorfamilymemberswithapartintheBar/BatMitzvah
ceremony.
1. Aliyot–beingcalleduptotheTorahtosayorchanttheblessingbeforeandafterareading.
ThereareeighttotalaliyotonaShabbatmorning,sixofwhichareavailableforyoutodistribute
topeopleyouwanttohonor,butthefirsttwoarereservedonlyforpeopleofacertainlineage.
First—Cohen—Thisaliyahisreservedfora“Cohen”amanorwomanwhosefather’saCohen.
Second—Levi—Thisaliyahisreservedfora“Levi”amanorwomanwhosefather’saLevi.
ThirdAliyah—cangotoanyoneyouwanttohonor
Fourth Aliyah—Our communal aliyah, any congregants or guests who want to be called up to
marksomethingspecialintheirlives;itcannotbereservedforyourguests.
5th-7thAliyot—Canbedistributedtoyourguests.Pleasenote:IfthereisanotherSimchahbeing
celebratedinthecongregationthatweek,onealiyahwillbereservedfortheothercelebrating
family.(SeePartoftheCommunitysectionformoredetails)Normallythe7thAliyahisreserved
fortheparentsoftheBar/BatMitzvah.
8thAliyah—Maftir—ReservedfortheBar/BatMitzvah
TwootherhonorsconsideredAliyotare:
Hagbah—LiftingtheTorahsoallcanseewhat’sbeenread,thencarryingittoaseatedposition.
G’lilah—RollinguptheTorahanddressingit.
GeneralRulestoRememberaboutAliyot
• Aliyotshouldonlybegivenouttopeoplewhocancompetentlycompletethetask.They
shouldbeJewishandabletocomfortablyrecitetheblessingsinHebrew.ForHagbah,
they should be able to physically perform the task AND they should have experience
doing this aliyah before. If there is any doubt about this, talk to the rabbi before
contactingthepersonaboutthehonor.
• Apersoncanonlygetonealiyahduringthisservice.
• Multiplepeoplecanbecalledupforaliyot,aslongastheyqualifyforthataliyah(i.e.for
thefirstaliyaheveryonecalledupmustbeaCohenorBatCohen.)
• Childrenwhootherwisedonotqualifyforanaliyaharewelcometogoupalongwitha
familymemberwhodoes,thoughweaskthattheynotrecitetheblessingsiftheyare
beforetheageofbar/batmitzvah.
• IfyoudonothaveaCohenorLeviamongyourfamilyandfriendsBethSholomwillmake
arrangementsforsomeonetodothosealiyot.
2. OtherHonorsduringtheservice:
ChantingPesukeiD’Zimrah—optional.
OpeningandClosingtheArkatthebeginningoftheTorahService.
OpeningandClosingtheArkattheendoftheTorahService.
CarryingtheTorahattheBeginningoftheTorahService.
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CarryingtheTorahattheEndoftheTorahService.
HoldingtheTorahduringtheHaftarahrecitation.
ReadingthePrayerfortheCongregationonpage148.*
ReadingthePrayerfortheCountryonpage148.*
ReadingthePrayerfortheStateofIsraelonpage149.*
ReadingthePrayerforPeaceonpage149.*
*ThishonormaybegiventoapersonwhoisnotJewish.
3. CandyDistributor—ThereisanoptionalcustomofgentlytossingcandyattheBar/BatMitzvah
youthafters/hehasfinishedchantingtheHaftarah,inordertowishher/himalongandsweet
life.PermittedcandymaybepurchasedfromtheBethSholomofficeatacostof$20for100
pieces.Thecandyshouldbedistributedbyadesignatedperson.Thismaybeagoodhonorto
givetoaresponsiblechild--whiletheTorahisbeingparadedatthestartoftheTorahservice.
4. ChainofTradition—WhentheTorahscrollistakenoutoftheark,itisphysicallypassedfrom
representatives of each generation of the family to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebrant. This is an
optionalpieceoftheceremony.Ifyouthinkthiswouldbeameaningfulritualforyourfamily
situation,pleasediscussthiswiththerabbi.
5. There are other times to honor people throughout the weekend. Consider having a designee
takepartssuchasFridaynightKiddush,HamotziorKiddushonShabbatmorning,Hamotziatthe
party,oraspeechortoastatothermeals.
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ABar/BatMitzvahisOnePartofOurCommunityShabbat
Aboveallelse,aBar/BatMitzvahceremonymarksthepassagefromthestatusofachildtooneofafull
adultmemberoftheJewishcommunity.Yourfamily’scelebrationdemonstratesthisbybeingone
componentofthecongregationalShabbatworshipandcelebration.ShabbatServicesareatimeforthe
wholecongregationalcommunitytogather.YourBethSholomcongregationalcommunityisthrilledto
hostyourfamily’scelebrationaspartofitsweeklyShabbatcelebrationandwelcomeyourguestsand
familymembersforthisoccasion.TheBar/BatMitzvahceremonyhasmanyremindersofthe
importanceandroleofcommunity:
Gifts—AspartoftheceremonytheBar/BatMitzvahcelebrantwillreceivegiftsfromhis/her
congregationalcommunity.
HostingKiddush—ItisthecustomofBethSholomthatfamiliescelebratingaSimchah,suchasaBar/Bat
MitzvahhosttheKiddushLuncheonafterservices.Youshouldcounton50peoplebeyondyourguest
listtoattendtheluncheon.(SeeFoodandKitchenUse)
SimchahSharing—Asacommunitywithmanymembers,theremaybeanotherfamilywhohasalifecycleeventthatitisgoingtocelebratepubliclyonthesamedateasyourBar/BatMitzvah,ababy
naming,perhaps,ortheannouncementofanupcomingwedding.TheExecutiveDirectorwilladviseyou
iftherewillbeanyothersimchahsonthedayofyourBar/BatMitzvahcelebration,andwillworkouta
fairfinancialarrangementbetweenthefamiliesfortheKiddushluncheon.
SynagogueEvents–Therewillbeothereventshappeningatthesynagoguethesamedayasyour
Bar/BatMitzvah.Theycouldinclude:
Visitingguests,groups,orstudentsnotassociatedwithyourevent.
FirstShabbatoftheMonth—StarbucksShabbat,anadultJewishlearningsessionfrom9-10a.m.
SecondShabbatoftheMonth—MishpachahMonthly—afamilylearningsessionfrom9-10a.m.
SecondandFourthShabbatoftheMonth—MiniMinyanfrom10-10:45,TropeClass.
EveryShabbatduringtheschoolyear,theBethSholomReligiousSchoolholdssessionsandJunior
Congregationat10:30am.
Babysittingisavailablefrom9-11:30ameveryweek.
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Photography
SchedulingPhotoShoots—PleasescheduleallphotosessionswiththeExecutiveDirector.Wegenerally
recommendphotoshootsonTuesdaythroughThursdayfrom8amto4pmoronFridaybetween8am
andnoon,whenstaffisavailabletoassist.Requeststoschedulephotographyoutsideofthesetime
frameswillbeconsideredonanindividualbasisandwilldependuponthesynagogue’sabilitytoarrange
forastaffpersontobepresenttoopenthebuilding.
PermittedtimesforPhotography—OutofrespectforShabbat,picturesmaybetakenanytimeuntil3
pmonFridayandthenaftersundownonSaturdayevening.Photographyandvideographyarenot
permittedduringShabbat,includingHavdalah.
RabbiatPhotoSession—Ifyouwouldlikefortherabbitobeapartofyourphotography,pleasemake
suretoarrangeandconfirmyourphotographysessionwiththerabbi’sassistant.BethSholomcannot
guaranteetherabbicanbepresentifyouhavenotformallyscheduledandconfirmeditwiththerabbi’s
assistant.
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PartyLogistics
Timing—Pleasecheckwiththerabbiforthetimeyourpartymaybegin.OutofrespectforShabbat,
partiesbeginafterShabbatends.
Security—Forthesafetyandsecurityofyourguests,twosecurityguardsarepartofeverypartyatBeth
Sholom.PleaseseetheExecutiveDirectorfordetails.
Decorations—WeencouragefamiliestodecoratetocreateajoyousatmosphereintheSocialHall.
Pleaserememberthatdecorationsmaynotbeattachedtothewalls,ceilingsorlightfixturesasthey
maycausedamage.
Centerpieces—Wesuggestcenterpiecesthatcanbedonatedtovariouscharitableorganizations,ora
donationcardonthetableshowingmonetarydonationstosuchorganizations.
Flowers—FlowersmaybeplacedinthesanctuaryattheBar/BatMitzvahfamily’sdiscretion.Please
requestnon-pollinating,no-orderplants.Ifflowersareputontopoftheark,thefloristmustremove
themby3p.m.onTuesday,andscheduletheremovalwiththeExecutiveDirectorbeforehand.There’s
a$50removalfeeifBethSholommustremovetheflowers.
Balloons—Balloonshaveinthepastinterferedwiththesecurityandventilationsystemofthe
synagogue;sopleasebeunderstandingandfollowtherulesfortheirusestrictly.Balloonsmaynotbe
leftoutontablesovernight.Theymustbestoredinthestorageclosetafterhours.Pleasemakesureto
usehighqualitymylarballoons,asballoonscansometimesdeflatewhenleftinnon-heatoraircontrolledspaces.BethSholomcannotacceptanyresponsibilityforballoonsdeflatingwhenleftinour
storageclosets.PleaseconsulttheExecutiveDirectorfordetails.
Catering—PleaseconsultwiththeExecutiveDirectortodiscussapprovedcaterers.
KitchenUse—isincludedintheSocialHallrental.Youand/oryourcaterer(withproperkitchen
supervision)maycookthefoodforyourevent.
Kashrut—BethSholommaintainsthetraditionofJewishdietarylaws,Kashrut,bywhichwemakeeven
thebasicactofeatingasacredpractice.Becauseweareakosherinstitution,weaskyoutoadhereto
thefollowingguidelines.Feelfreetoasktherabbianyquestionsyoumayhaveaboutkashrutandour
kitchenrules;therabbiwillbepleasedtoguideyou.
•
•
•
•
Allfoodproductsbroughtintothesynagoguemustbekosher.
Nocookedorbakedfoodmaybebroughtintothesynagoguefromprivatehomesor
unauthorizedsources,orfromopenpackages,tobeservedatKiddushoranotherevent
plannedforyoursimchah.
Freshlybakedgoodsmaybebroughtinonlyfrombakeriesapprovedbytherabbi.
Packagedgoodswiththekoshersymbols(seeattachedlist)areacceptable.Astheremaybe
otherkoshercertificationsymbols,pleasecheckwiththerabbiifyoudon’tseeitonthe
attachedlist.
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•
•
•
Notethattheletter“K”whichisnotimbeddedinasymbolisnotconsideredkosherunlessthe
rabbiapprovesit.
Verificationofallproducts,regardlessofpackagemarkings,mustbemadewiththerabbior
kitchensupervisorbeforetheyareusedintheBethSholomkitchen.
Noutensilsorappliancesmaybebroughtintothesynagogueunlesstheyarebrandnewin
originalsealedpackagingorapprovedbytherabbi.Ourkitcheniswellequippedtohandle
nearlyallfoodpreparation.
Deliveries—Allfoodmustbedeliveredtothesynagogueby2pmonFriday.Thesynagoguewillreceive
deliveriesbutthestaffcan’tinventory,checkfordamages,orberesponsibleforlossesinconnection
withthesedeliveries.
OutofrespectforShabbat,leftoverfood,utensils,and/ordecorationsmayberemovedfromthe
kitchenafterShabbatconcludesonSaturdayevening.AllitemswillbeavailableforpickuponTuesday
followingyourceremonyafter9am,unlessyouhavemadespecialarrangementswiththeExecutive
Directoratleastoneweekprior.
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JourneytoAdulthoodProject
Bar/Batmitzvahisn’taceremonyoraparty—it’sademonstrationofyourjourneytomaturity.It’sa
passagetoadulthood.Eachperson’sjourneyisalittledifferent.AspartoftheBar/BatMitzvahprocess
atBethSholom,youwillgettodesignpartofyourownJourneytoAdulthoodproject,(JTA),basedon
yourinterests,passions,talents,concerns,strengthsandweaknesses.
ThisprojectisdesignedtomakeyourBar/BatMitzvahtrulyanduniquelyyours,andahands-onwayto
markyourpassagetoanewstageinyourlife.Yourteam—fromBethSholom,yourparentsandyouwill
designalistoftasksforcompletionbythedayofyourBar/BatMitzvah.Onthedayofyoursimchah,
youwillpresentyourJTAtasksandaccomplishmentsinadisplayorpresentation.
Here’sareallifeexampletakenfromaBarMitzvahboy,Jamin,fromanothersynagogue,ShirTikvah:
Jamin’s13BarMitzvahTaskstoMoveTowardsAdulthood:
1. Takeoverlawnmowing
2. Takeababysittingclass
3. Learnbasicbikemaintenanceandrepair
4. Cookfamilymeals
5. Learnwoodworking
6. Raisemoneyforasocialjusticeissue(HungerRelief)
7. Learnabouthighschooloptions
8. Dobusinesswithadultsx10(e.g.calltorescheduleorthodontist)
9. EarnmoneyandcontributetoOSRUItuition
10. PlananactivityforourChavurah
11. ParticipateonShirTikvah’smembershipcommittee(talkwithchildrenofperspectivemembers)
12. PresentinformationonBarMitzvahtoyoungerShirTikvahkids
13. BarMitzvah(ReadTorah,andleadcongregation)
ThecontentanddirectionoftheJTAprojectwillbedevelopedbytheBar/BatMitzvahyouth,together
withher/hisparentsattheFamilyEducationworkshopsdedicatedtothatpurpose.
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EducationalandCommunityGoalsandExpectations
1.EnrollmentandparticipationinaJewishEducationalprogram.
2.ParticipationinaseriesofB’naiMitzvahworkshopstheyearofyourBar/BatMitzvah.
3.ContinuationwithyourJewishlearningbeyondtheBar/BatMitzvahyear.Thisisnottheendofthe
journey;itisbutoneawesomemomentalongtheway.
4.AttendanceatShabbatservicesfortheyearpriortoyourBar/BatMitzvah.
5.Acommitmenttomanageyourtimesoyoucanpracticewithtutorsandpracticeindependentlyfor
theceremony,researchandwriteyourD’varTorah,completeanindividualprojectandamitzvah
project.BeawarethatthetimecommitmentwillbecomeprogressivelymoreasyourBar/BatMitzvah
ceremonygetscloser,sotrynottogetinvolvedintoomanyotherextracurricularactivitiesasthedate
approaches.
6.Acommitmenttocontinuetoparticipateinthelifeofyourcommunity.
7.Demonstrationoftakingonanewmitzvahonapersonallevelthroughamitzvahproject.
8.Demonstrationoftakingadeeperlevelofselfdiscovery,responsibilityandgrowththrougha
personalJourneytoAdulthoodproject.
10.Synagoguemembershipingoodstanding.
LearningGoals
SynagogueSkillAcquisition:Includesdavenning(worship)skills,chantingTorah,andHaftarah,
familiaritywiththeprayersoftheShabbatmorningservice,indepthresearchanddiscussionaboutyour
Torahportion,andcraftingaD’varTorah(Sermon).
DemonstrationofdeeperunderstandingofmatureJewishidentityformation:Personalized13Tasksto
Adulthood.
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Glossary
Aliyah—ah-lee-YAH“ascension”Aliyot“ah-lee-YOAT”isthepluralform.Thehonorofbeingcalledup
tosaytheblessingsbeforeandafteraTorahreadingorsomeotherritualtaskassociatedwiththeTorah
readingsectionoftheservice.
BatCohen“bahtkoe-HEN”ThedaughterofaCohen,awomenwhosefatherisdescendedfromthe
priestlylinewhoservedintheancientTemple.Inmoretraditionaldenominationstherearespecial
rulesandaliyotreservedforpeoplewiththisancestry.
BatLevi“bahtle-VEE”Literally“DaughterofaLevi”,awomanwhosefatherisdescendedfromthetribe
ofLeviwhoservedintheancientTemple.Inmoretraditionaldenominationstherearespecialrulesand
aliyotreservedforpeoplewiththisancestry.
Cohen“koHEN”Literally“Priest”amaledescendantfromthepriestlylineofthetribeofLevi,who
servedintheancientTempleperformingsacrificesandotherrituals.
Davenning“DAH-veh-ning”YiddishforconnectingtoGodthroughprayer.
D’varTorah,sometimesalsoreferredtoasthe“Davar”—literallymeans“AwordofTorah”or"Abitof
Torah”.ItreferstoanoralteachingorexplanationofsomethingintheTorahportionoftheweek,a
teachingorasermon.DuringaBar/BatMitzvahceremony,itisoftentheBar/BatMitzvahwhopresents
theD’varTorahoftheday.
G’lilah“G-lee-LAH”Literally“rolling”.TheritualtaskofrollinguptheTorahscrollandcoveringitagain
withitscoverandallitsornamentationafterthereadingandhagbahhavebeencompleted.
Haftarah“Haf-ta-RAH”orpopularly“HafTOH-rah”Literally“Additional.”Therecitation,usuallywitha
specialchantingtrope,ofaselectionfromeithertheProphetsorWritingssectionsoftheJewishBible.
TheHaftarot(pluralform)aresetandlinkedtospecificTorahreadingdates.TheHaftarahisrelatedto
theTorahreadinginsomeconceptualwayandisreadaftertheTorahisreadinaShabbatservice.
HagbahLiterally,“lifting”TheritualtaskofliftingandpresentingtheTorahscrollthathasjustbeen
readtotheassembledcongregation.
Hamotzi“Hah-MO-tzee”Theblessingsaidbeforeeatingbread.
Kashrut“Kahsh-ROOT”Literally,“proper”theJewishdietarylaws,keepingKosher.
Kiddush“Kee-DOOSH”(ModernHebrewpronunciationor“KI-dish”(Yiddishpronunciation)Theblessing
saidbeforedrinkingwine.
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Levy“LeVEE”LiterallyadescendantfromthetriballinewhoservedintheancientTemple.Someofthe
tribeweredesignatedKohanimorpriests,thosewhowerenotwereinvolvedinmusicalritualsoras
guardiansofthetemple.Inmoretraditionaldenominationstherearespecialrulesandaliyotreserved
forpeoplewiththisancestry.
Parshah“Pahr-SHAH”,Literally:“Portion”,alsoParshatHaShavua“Pahr-SHAHTha-shah-voo-ah”
Literally:PortionoftheWeek.ThesectionoftheFiveBooksofMosesorTorahthatwillbereadduring
aparticularweek.
Simchah—Joyousorhappyoccasionorevent.
Torah“Toe-RAH“Literally“Teaching”ThefirstfivebooksoftheJewishBible,alsocalledtheFiveBooks
ofMosesorthePentateuch.AnewsectionofthepartoftheBibleisthefocusofeachweek.Each
weekculminateswithachantingofthatweek’sdesignatedTorahportiononShabbatmorning.
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