Instructions for Saturday Morning Service Leader (English)
Thank you for volunteering to be the English Service Leader. You will be seated on the bima (pulpit) for the entire service. When we get to the top of page 63, the Cantor will introduce you and invite you to walk up to the lectern.
A copy of the service is provided here. The prayer book, with instructions marked, will also be on the Bima. One thing to note is that there is one point in the service where the Cantor will make a choice. She will either sing the Hebrew on page 78 OR on page 79 but either way your next reading will be on Page 80.
You will sit down on the bima for the silent prayer and the Cantor will lead the rest of the service.
Instructions for Saturday morning D’var Torah Deliverer
Thank you for volunteering to present the D’var Torah (translation- “words of Torah”). You can find the full text of your week’s Torah portion as well as a summary at this link: reformjudaism.org/calendar
Cantor Roskin will call you up to deliver your D’Var Torah Immediately after the Torah is taken from the ark and placed on the lectern.
Please plan to speak briefly (5-10 minutes) about the Torah portion. It is common to choose one theme or one section out of the Torah portion that has meaning to you and expand on that, possibly discussing some relevance to our world today. It is good to be thought-provoking but not too controversial.
After you have completed your remarks, you may return to your seat.
Please submit a copy of your remarks to Cantor Roskin at cantorjro[email protected] by noon Wednesday of the week of the service.
Instructions for Saturday morning Haftorah Reading
Thank you for volunteering to read the Haftorah portion in English. About 1 ½ weeks ahead of the service a copy of the haftarah (from the book from which you will be reading at the service) will be emailed to you with both Hebrew and English. You will only be reading the English.
Cantor Roskin will call you to lectern after Torah has been “dressed.”
Typically, the Cantor will chant the blessings (in Hebrew) before and after the Haftorah reading (which is in English). If you would like to chant the Haftarah blessings as well as read the Haftarah portion, please let Cantor know before the service begins or you can email her at [email protected].
Once Haftarah Blessings have been chanted after your reading, you should continue to stand on the bima facing the ark while to Torah is returned to the ark. Once the ark has been closed, you may return to your seat.
Instructions for Chanting the Torah
Thank you for volunteering to chant Torah at the Shabbat morning Service. Cantor Roskin will call you to the lectern immediately following the D’Var Torah (words of Torah delivered by a congregant).
Presumably, you have been working with the Cantor on the Torah portion you will be chanting. If not, please call 933-8037 or email her at [email protected] as soon as possible to make sure you are chanting the appropriate portion for the week you signed up for.
You may also want to discuss with the Cantor whether you would like to chant the Torah Blessings before and after the Torah reading. There is no expectation for you to recite the blessings in addition to chanting the Torah, but we would like to extend this honor to you in recognition of your hard work in learning to chant the Torah portion (if this is something you would like to do).
Once you have finished the Torah chanting and the blessings have been recited, Cantor will invite you to return to your seat.
Instructions for Lifting the Torah
Thank you for volunteering to lift the Torah. Cantor will call you (and the person dressing the Torah) up to the lectern immediately after the Torah blessing following the Torah reading.
Facing the congregation, you will lift the Torah for all to see. You will then be seated on the bima still holding the Torah. While you are holding it in your lap, the Cantor will roll the 2 sides together and the person who volunteered to dress the Torah will place the cover and yad (pointer) back on the Torah.
You will remain seated on the bima holding the dressed Torah until it is time to put the Torah back in the ark. Once the Torah has been placed in the ark and the ark has been closed, you may return to your seat in the congregation.
Lifting the Torah is considered an honor and requires a reasonable amount of upper arm strength. Cantor Roskin suggests that if this is your first time lifting the Torah, it may be a good idea to practice. Please contact Cantor Roskin at [email protected] or 933-8037 to arrange a quick practice session during the week.
Dressing the Torah
Thank you for volunteering to dress the Torah following the Torah Reading. Cantor Roskin will call you (and the person lifting the Torah) up to the lectern immediately following Torah Blessings. Once the Torah is lifted, the person lifting Torah will walk it over to a chair on the Bimah. Once they are seated, you will place the Torah Cover and Yad onto the Torah. Once the Torah is dressed, you may return to your seat.