What things should I know in advance in case I get called up for an aliya during a Torah-reading service? It began when a congregational leader asked Jaime if they wanted the honor of being called upon to read from the Torah, aliyah, and was offered a richly designed aliyah card. Even if the scroll was closed, the reader may pull it open as you're finishing the blessings, to give himself a moment to find his place. Under certain circumstances, family members can be invited up to the bimah together with the recipient of the honor. If it was a communal Talit and it came folded, return the courtesy and fold it before returning it. Interpreting non-statistically significant results: Do we have "no evidence" or "insufficient evidence" to reject the null? on the fathers side of the family only), not maternally (i.e. Why did DOS-based Windows require HIMEM.SYS to boot? Please follow instructions so that the service will run smoothly. This will have been assigned in advance, but you will still need to remind that person that he or she will have the Maftir honor. You can usually see who's waiting to accept it. gabbaim) is an Aramaic word that means tax collector, but today a gabbai is someone who assists with the reading of the Torah.Typically, when the Torah is taken out to be read before the community, one person reads the Torah, and that person is surrounded on either side with two gabbaim who ensure that the Torah is being read and treated respectfully and accurately. If the option is available, the Gabbai will look at you expectantly after the first Misheberach. We usually call up the aliyot by name (see Appendix 1 for formulas). The Gabbai might also recite the prayer for healing (our tradition is to do this after the 5th aliyah on a normal Shabbat when we read 7) and hatsi kaddish (p. 405) before maftir/ah. "Nice job" means just that, and gets a "Thank you." 4 The gabba'im might also announce pages and verses occasionally. Jaime (who uses they/them pronouns) has enjoyed Anshe Emet Synagogue all their life. Many, though not all, of our members are familiar with the Reconstructionist version, and guests may not be. In the second Misheberach, the Gabbai will pause and look at you for the Hebrew names of your family members (along with their fathers' names). The Leadership Project kicks off with a dynamic, experiential Leadership Summittthat builds the capacity of leaders and their institutions to create LGBTQ-affirming environments for all community members. You are also responsible for helping to make the Torah service understandable to all. Normally, only one person is called up for each aliyah. endobj What does one do when one needs to bentch gomel? Gabbai Playbook (Click here to download pdf). Cover the scroll with the special cover. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. You can either use the prayer (both in Hebrew and English) in Kol Haneshamah, p. 685 or the prayer in the gabbai notebook, or lead the group in singing Debbie Friedmans Mi-Sheberakh (see Appendix 3 for lyrics). Gabbaiim and Super Gabbaiim perform important functions at Congregation Beth Emeth Torah Services, and "Playbooks" for each of these roles are provided below to help you learn and refresh your Gabbai skills. Folks, any chance we could do an instructive video on this one? Through the Leadership Project, Anshe Emet was able to select a team of professional and lay leaders to attend a full-day training summit to learn about LGBTQ identities and history, and create concrete strategies for institutional change work. Below are recordings of how to call the first aliyah for Shabbat and weekday services. The word 'gabbai' is roughly equivalent to 'manager' and the job of the gabbai is to manage the service. The gabbai also helps families plan for Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremonies or other special occasions by preparing an Honors Sheet beforehand. Be careful not to run into the person leaving the bima -- usually he'll cede right-of-way to you. See below for the division of aliyot and other honors. A Jew who does not have a Jewish father is called up by his/her mothers name only. But even without aliyah cards, those receiving kibbudim can be told about which aliyah they are getting beforehand - and if the gabbai does not have the name readily at hand, he can ask him. aliyah information. The Magbiah/Magbihah lifts the Torah and holds it up and turns around so that the congregation can see the writing (some people think they have to open it to several columns, but that is not necessary), then sits down. (If in a Hassidic synagogue or right-wing yeshiva, they may frown on folding a Talit on Shabbat, so just put it back unfolded.). Then use paper clips to indicate donations on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Hand out aliyah cards. The Misheberach. He can be reached at michaelgfeldstein@gmail.com. Additional (or substitute) honors may be handed out later or as needed. When we create spaces that actively affirm and celebrate all people, were living Jewish values in the fullest way and are enriched by the presence and wisdom of all members of our communities. It is your choice how you want to be called up. And to all those gabbaim in other communities who are back at the bima thank you for making sure our services run as smoothly as they do. It's good to also mouth the words in time with the reading, if you can. And those who can't teach, correct the baal kriah.". This includes synagogues, day schools, JCCs, youth groups, and summer camps. 3 0 obj During the afternoon service (Mincha) on Shabbat, some synagogues require those called to the Torah to wear a talit or jacket; others don't. Begin in Hebrew through naming the occasion for the blessing. In German-ancestry synagogues, the day-of-death anniversary of a close relative will warrant a memorial prayer ("Av HaRachamim") the Shabbat beforehand. For those receiving aliyot who are members, take their card out of the gabbai box and affix the stick-on numbers to the cards, to facilitate the calling up by name. To give leaders the tools, skills, and confidence in this critical area, Keshet partners with leaders of national and local Jewish groups. You may want to say/sing something after the blessing to mark the moment in a different way, e.g., say, ah after a blessing for healing a members dear one, or sing. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help. Checklist for "Aufruf" AKA "Shabbat Chatan" (in Hebrew). Later in the second Misheberach, the Gabbai will pause and look at you again so that you can name your donation. During the repetition, the gabbaim tend to quickly meet to divide up the aliyot cards, confer with each other, and check in with the co-chairs if needed. Announce the name of the portion, the book, chapter, and verse, and then the pages in Hertz and in Plaut. Please try again or choose an option below. For those who are not members, signal to them to stand up and come forward, and quietly ask them their Hebrew names and their parents' names. And theyll make sure that the service flows nicely without any unnecessary interruptions. The second job is to announce the chapter and verse of the aliyot subsequent to the first so that everyone will know where we are in the reading. If the Gabbai doesn't know your Hebrew name, he may say "Ya'amod " ("Arise ") and then look at you with a questioning expression. Ask the Rabbi to lead if she is present and wishes to do so. When are honors distributed? The person who has an aliyah may want a personal blessing for a birthday, other life cycle event, or other reason. Only one honor is offered to any family unit. Rather than seek to develop new language, Anshe Emet immediately organized a committee through the Rose Crown Minyan to find out how other Jewish organizations pursued a similar goal and the resources they utilized. One of the Gabbaim then hands that person first the binder with the Velcro to wrap the scrolls, then the cover to put on, and finally the Yod (pointer). Wait for someone in charge (either a Gabbai or the Torah reader) to uncover the Torah scroll and open it. At Temple Shalom, the gabbai invites individuals to lead services, distributes honors, and tries to make services run smoothly. In this case, you need the sick person's Hebrew name "bas" the sick person's mother's Hebrew name. As the person is sitting down with the Torah, the Golel/Golelet should take hold of the tops of both rollers, then roll the scroll tightly closed. What should one do if one has a High Holiday honor? Yes, you are implying a pet peeve. Congregation Beth El Then there seems to be different customs. This tradition is passed down paternally (i.e. as a guide during the service. Because no two communities are alike, no two communities will take the same path towards the core values of dignity and belonging. In March, when the shuls in our communities were forced to close their doors, the gabbaim unfortunately joined the ranks of the unemployed. Custom to light yahrzeit candle on Erev Shabbos before the yahrzeit, How to deal with the parts of the Torah reading that are pre-empted by the congregation. However, leadership recognizes the need to continue discussions on embracing LGBTQ people, Jews of color, families of every kind, and individuals at all ages and stages of life and observance. Instruct the Golel/Golelet on taking hold of the tops, since they often start looking around for the cover rather than steadying the Torah scroll. At Beth El, we follow the custom of calling up a Kohen (or bat Kohen) for the first aliyah and a Levi (or bat Levi) for the second aliyah. Member Terms, 2023 All rights reserved. One of the Gabbaim then hands that person first the binder with the Velcro to wrap the scrolls, then the cover to put on, and finally the Yod (pointer). . )could be individual or group, could relate to themes in the parasha, To express communal or personal hopes, values, aspirations, To enable the community to respond to members who are experiencing joy, sorrow, and/or transitions in their lives, Traditionally, to enable the individual honored with an aliyah to announce a pledge to the congregation. A very effective and organized method of distributing the aliyos in shul! The PDF files below of of a standard Orthodox tenaim and kesubah for a bride's first wedding. Gabbai resources. A document called the "Gabbai Sheet" serves as a guide to each B'nai Mitzvah service which the Bar or Bat Mitzvah student, tutor and Rabbi Kaiman will use in the Sanctuary during the service. . Before the service starts, take out the Torah (ask another person to help you), roll the scroll to the place of the first reading, and remember where that is (which column and where on the column). Where might I find a copy of the 1983 RPG "Other Suns"? If there is a Haftarah (a reading from the Prophets), the reader will be the Maftir, which in our case is the fourth aliyah. This change is a perfect example of the work that Keshet supports in Jewish communities throughout the country. After the Torah has been placed on the table, say Shabbat Shalomor other greeting, and, if there are guests present, introduce yourself as a member of Shir Hadash who is the gabbaithe person who facilitates the Torah service. not the mothers side). Walk to the bima via the most direct route. The following categories of members receive honors annually: major donors, patrons, benefactors, and board members, in addition to new members who have joined during the previous year and individuals who have been most active in leadership roles in Beth El in the past year. This is done after the Misheberach. All Rights Reserved, Making it Personal: How the JCRC Advocates for Trans Inclusion. Help as needed. If you (or other members of your family) have a yahrzeit or are celebrating a birthday or anniversary and would like to receive an aliyah, be sure to let the gabbai know ahead of time. At this sacred moment, Jaime was invited to approach the Torah as their whole and authentic self. Photo: Erica Berger Master of ceremonies, diplomat, event coordinator, social worker, greeter, mediator, mentorthese are just some of the hats that a shul gabbai wears. Along with all Israel her/his people, and let us say: Amen. Click on the name of the file, which will call up an audio program on a new page or will open your defalult audio player, and then play the audio file you have chosen. Thank you for joining us today, and accepting an honor in today's service. Member Terms, 2023 All rights reserved. What differentiates living as mere roommates from living in a marriage-like relationship? Didn't have enough fasters at the beginning of the service, now do (or might): do you change over to the fast-day liturgy? Oh right. RABBI LIONEL E, Calendar of Torah and Haftarah Readings 5782 5784, Shavuot Torah Study Parasha Yitro Exodus 19:20 20:14 May 29, 2020 / 6 Sivan 5780, Religious Guidelines for Ohavi Zedek Synagogue Table of Contents, Torah from the Years of Wrath 1939-1943: the Historical Context of the Aish Kodesh, The Public Reading of Scripture in Early Judaism, Religious & Cultural Programming & Services, Jewish Religious Observance by the Jews of Kaifeng China, ELIJAH and the BOOKS of KINGS in RABBINIC LITERATURE Karin, Judaism and Jewish Philosophy 19 Judaism, Jews and Holocaust Theology, Eating Before the Lord: a Theology of Food According to Deuteronomy, A Guide to Passover at Beth Immanuel 2021 -5781, Reform Shabbat Torah Readings For, and Following, the Second Day of Festivals in the Diaspora, The Spirit in Worship-Worship in the Spirit, A Bat/Bar Mitzvah Guide to Our Shabbat Service, Eastern Ashkenazi Biblical Cantillation: an Interpretive Musical Analysis Yonatan Malin, Responsum on the Status of Women: with Special Attention to the Questions of Shalial) Tzibbur, Edut and Gittin RABBI PHILLIP SIGAL, Daniel Sperber D Biography: Rabbi Daniel Sperber Is the Milan Roven Professor, Lev Shalem for Shabbat & FESTIVALS, Praising Hashem : on Chanukah and Every Day Mrs. Yael Weil Halakhah, Whence Orthodox Jewish Feminism? Ongoing learning is at the core of making the values ofequality, inclusion, and belonging into a reality. Anyone with the appropriate skills can lead services on weekdays, Shabbat or holidays at Beth El. Mi-sheberakh avoteinu avraham, yitzkhak, vyaakov vimoteinu sarah, rivkah, rachel, leah, bilhah, vzilpah, hu yivarekh et (name of the person being blessed and name of his/her parents) she alah/alta likhvod ha-makom vilikhovod ha torah vlikvod ha-shabat vi[insert occasion for aliyah/blessing], [Insert words expressing the blessing we wish for this person on this occasion perhaps including:]. A gabbai (or a sexton) is the person who co-ordinates services, especially the Torah service, on Shabbat and holidays. If you were given a card indicating your Aliya, have it in-hand. Since we now have over three hundred member families and fewer than one hundred honors to distribute, the majority of members, including many long-time or formerly active members, will not receive honors ahead of time, but some will be offered honors to take the place of members who are not present at the assigned time. Special thanks to Dr. Raphael Bortz of Telz Stone, Israel. Browse other questions tagged, Like any library, Mi Yodeya offers tons of great information, but, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. the person is regularly in the hospital and you have already made regular Misheberach for the sick person), it might be possible to do this instead after all people have been called up. In some contemporary congregations, the gabba'im may be known as a "ritual committee." The gabba'im are sometimesbut certainly not alwayselected to their position. His articles and letters have appeared in The Jewish Link, The Jewish Week, The Forward, and The Jewish Press. You can download the Acrobat Reader from Adobe. Anshe Emet is a model of how to create a community of belonging. What you should know before you're called to the Torah. Gabbai resources Aliyah donation cards. Through the process of making this small shift, Anshe Emet uncovered core lessons about the work for LGBTQ equality and belonging and are eager to share their learnings with other congregations engaging in the same work. You may want to say/sing something after the blessing to mark the moment in a different way, e.g., say, refuah shlemah after a blessing for healing a members dear one, or sing siman tov umazel tov after a blessing for a simcha, so that everyone can participate in offering blessing. Theyll know when there are bar and bat mitzvah celebrations and aufrufs and what additional aliyot might be necessary. If you wish to be given an honor, please arrive before the Silent Devotion begins. The following file was created to save multiple downloads. If it is a Shabbat with a study session before the service, we go right to the prayers for putting away the Torah. This handbook addresses various kinds of Torah Services held on Shabbat (morning and afternoon), Festivals and weekdays. I would be curious to know myself where these customs come from if anyone has that knowledge here. Men and women may participate equally in all aspects of the Torah service, but an able-bodied male is usually called upon as Hagbah to lift the Torah scroll from the reading table. If your Hebrew is not fluent enough for this kind of spontaneous composition, simply do the middle, personalized part of the blessing in English, and then end in Hebrew. Print out these cards on thick card stock, cut them out, and laminate them. Men are required to wear a tallis/tallit (prayer shawl) when they receive an honor. when calling honorees for an aliyah. Floor Gabbai Signup (Click here to go to the SignUp Genius), Audio Files of Calling Congregants for the First Aliyah. The cards are laminated so that they are durable. God willing, once the COVID-19 vaccine has been distributed widely, our shuls will be filled with congregants again and our gabbaim will be faced with the usual challenges of deciding who should get maftir and daven mussaf. <> By making such a small shift in language and ritual practice, Anshe Emet brought about a huge shift in the experience of belonging and dignity for their members. Sir Or Master) Word Th, Calendar of Torah and Haftarah Readings 5776 5778 2015 2018, The Four Special Shabbatot: Shekalim, Zakhor, Parah, and Hahodesh, Is There an Authentic Triennial Cycle of Torah Readings? They may not use the "Ya'amod " procedure as above, and you will just start the blessings after being summoned to the bima. To create a meaningful experience for the person receiving the blessing and for the entire community, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the Appendix 2: The Art of the Mi-Sheberakh. For shuls without such a system, or if a person is davening in a minyan in which he does not usually daven or simply to prevent leaving out a name inadvertently, some men I know keep a similar card in their tallis bags and bring it up with them to the Gabbai to use in the event they have an aliya. 215-493-1707, Privacy Policy In addition to reminders of the various tasks, instructions and service outline, it includes places to write the names of each of the people responsible for the various parts of the service. Honors recipients are notified of their honors by mail several weeks before Rosh Hashanah; those honors which are turned down by members who cannot be in shul at the assigned time are reassigned to other congregational members, whether by mail or during services on the appropriate day. You're likely to see other multiples of 18 ($54, $180, etc.) When you hear this, head toward the bima. With narration and stuff? The community added that any person could choose any language for any reasonand that one need not select the same one with every aliyah. Certain families maintain a long-standing tradition of being Kohanim (priests) or Leviim (Levites). Why don't I hear HaGomel in shul more often? If you have an Aliya card, immediately hand it to either the Gabbai (who will usually be at your left) or the assistant Gabbai (at your right). Place a folding chair facing the congregation. This generated important questions, such as: Should all people be called to the Torah using non-gendered language? I strongly prefer shuls where the gabbaim remain at the bima, and dont go running back and forth through the sanctuary to obtain the names of those who are receiving aliyot. Where these instructions say "the gabbai should." or "the gabbai does" it means that the gabbai is responsible for doing it or for arranging for someone else to do it. When introducing the Torah service, ask if anyone who has not been approached would like an aliyah. All Rights Reserved, Guide to the Synagogue Sanctuary, From Ark to Yad, Highlights of the Shabbat Morning Synagogue Service. , pp. In synagogues with the bima up at the front of the room and the rabbi seated up there, go up to the rabbi for a handshake as well. 2023 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved, Michael Feldstein, who lives in Stamford, CT, is the founder and owner of MGF Marketing, a direct marketing consulting firm. Who is a Kohen or a Levi? Two relevant guides were discovered by the committee: Fort Tryon Jewish Centers all-gender Torah service liturgy and Hadars gabbai sheets. 11 Iyyar 5783. Various combinations of honorees are covered whether the honoree is a man, woman or a couple. Theoretically, as the person called to the Torah, it would have been your responsibility to actually read the text with correct vowelization and intonation but don't worry, the Torah reader is there to do that for you. Otherwise, return it to where you'd gotten it. May the Merciful One sustain him/her and protect him/her from all troubles and afflictions. Translate this part into English and conclude, vinomar: Amen. While it was immediately clear to the community that all members deserved to be called to the Torah with language that was affirming, the community had the opportunity to learn together and decide together how best to implement this. When the reading is over, do the same point-and-kiss move with a bit of Talit, this time for the end of the reading. There is a notion of respecting the Torah scroll by keeping it covered when not in use. Then use paper clips to indicate donations on Shabbos and Yom Tov. A Jew with a Jewish father, but not a Jewish mother, is called up by his/her fathers name only. It is intended to be printed and filled in with the names of the people responsible for each part of the service, a few days before Shabbat). Checking the spot: After each aliyah, a gabbai should look in the scroll and make note of where the next aliyah starts, in the interest of moving things along more efficiently.
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