PG. 12 MISCELLANEOUS Pictures Buying a Tallis Recommended Books and Resources Finances Post Bar/Bat Mitzvah Engagement

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1 Pg. 2 PLANNING AND PREPARATORY STUDY Introduction People to Contact Timeline Criteria Assignment of Dates B nai Mitzvah Tutoring Expectations Synagogue Attendance PACT Program- Parents and Children Together Tikkun Olam Project (mitzvah project to repair the world) Meeting with the Rabbi D var Torah (The Speech) Pg. 8 THE B NAI MITZVAH SHABBAT Friday Evening Saturday (Shabbat) Morning Celebrations Mincha (Saturday afternoon) Celebration Rosh Hodesh Celebration Honors Shabbat Customs and Etiquette Kiddush and Catering Ushers Decorations: Flowers and Tzedakah Baskets Kippot and head coverings Candy Tossing PG. 12 MISCELLANEOUS Pictures Buying a Tallis Recommended Books and Resources Finances Post Bar/Bat Mitzvah Engagement PG. 14 APPENDICES A. Tallit Ceremony/Parental Blessing B. Tikkun Olam Worksheet C. Dvar Torah Worksheet D. Honors Sheet PG. 20 PRAYERS Shema, V ahavta V shamru Friday night Kiddush over wine -! 1-

2 Blessings over the Tallis Torah blessings Torah service Haftarah Blessings Prayer for our Country Prayer for Israel Introduction Dear B nai Mitzvah Families, Mazal Tov from everyone at The on the forthcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration in your family! Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a momentous occasion. This ceremony marks your child s coming of age in the Jewish tradition and we are so pleased that your family will be celebrating this milestone at The Jewish Center. Our tradition teaches that the world stands on three pillars: Torah, Avodah (worship), and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness). The Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience is based on these three pillars. The goal is not only to have one momentous day, but also to endow our students pride in their heritage and a readiness to take on Jewish life as responsible participants. This Handbook is designed to help you observe and celebrate your upcoming simcha in a way that is joyous, meaningful, and in keeping with our Jewish tradition and the customs of the. Please read it through carefully, noting the necessary steps leading to a satisfying religious experience. We are focussed, as are you, on preparing your child to participate skillfully, and to enjoy a meaningful religious experience. We hope that we can help make this event a truly memorable and significant one in your child s life, and in the experience of your entire family. Rabbi, Religious School Principal, Cantor, and our dedicated office staff are always available to address any additional questions or concerns you might have. CONTACT INFORMATION Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein, Ext. 20 Rabbi.BellmoreJewishCenter@verizon.net Cantor Elliott Yavneh, Ext. 14 CantorElliottyavneh@aol.com -! 2-

3 Mrs. Oosterom, Religious School Principal, Ext. 21 Cynthia Jacobson, Volunteer Office Manager, Ext. 10 Chris Weiss, Synagogue Administrator, Ext. 11 TIMELINE OF BAR/BAT MITZVAH EXPERIENCE I Preliminary Meetings 4 Years Prior Kitah Aleph (3rd Grade)- Spring Meeting with Rabbi: The meaning of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah 3 Years Prior Dates are assigned (February of Bet-4th grade) Spring of Bet (4th grade)- Preliminary meeting to prepare for the process II The Bar Mitzvah 2 years Prior Spring of Gimmel (5th Grade)- PACT (Parents and Children together) meetings begin with Rabbi. Fall of Dalet- PACT continues Junior Congregation requirement 9-12 Months Prior Student begins Torah and Haftarah lessons with Cantor Students and families discuss and implement Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) project 3-4 Months Prior Meetings with Rabbi to work on the Dvar Torah (speech) Notify Rabbi of family or friends to participate in Torah Reading Order Kippot/ Yarmulkes and head coverings Meet with Cynthia regarding Kiddush Plan 2 months Prior Schedule runthrough with Cantor and Rabbi Review honors sheet Contact office to arrange for Photographer 1-3 weeks Prior Review honors sheet with Rabbi Final full family rehearsal with the Cantor and Rabbi -! 3-

4 Thursday Before 6:30 a.m. Minyan with tallit and tefillin. Arrive at 6:20. Friday Before Bar/Bat Mitzvah family attends Friday night services (8:00 PM unless otherwise noted) All deliveries must be made prior to 3 pm on Friday BAR/BAT MITZVAH DAY Be there by 9:15 am for morning service Check-in with Rabbi and Cantor on arrival CRITERIA FOR BECOMING A BAR MITZVAH This is a list of the requirements, with brief explanations following: i. At least five years of Jewish study immediately previous to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. ii. Participation in BJC S PACT (Parents and children together) program iii. Participation in a Mitzvah Project. iv. Leading prayer parts of the service on the proceeding Friday night and on the occasion of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. v. Read from the Torah and Haftarah. vi. Teaching the community in delivery of a Dvar Torah on the occasion of their Bar/ Bat Mitzvah. Five years of Jewish Study BJC is a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and subscribes to the standards for Bar/Bat Mitzvah established by the USCJ. According to these standards, the student must complete a minimum of five years of Jewish study in an accredited religious school or Jewish day school, and this program must meet for a minimum of 5-hours per week. BJC requires that this study must be leading to and completing the academic year of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Parents of children with special needs should contact the rabbi. ASSIGNING THE DATES The Date of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is set approximately 3 years before the event. The date of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah will not be prior to the child s 13th birthday according to the Jewish calendar and can take place any time following that date at the discretion of the. A letter informing parents of the date is sent to each parent. Once individual lessons commence, there can be no change of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. BNAI MITZVAH LESSONS -! 4-

5 Students begin their Haftarah and Torah lessons with the Cantor 9-12 Months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The Cantor will contact your family to begin tutoring sessions. Each Session lasts approximately 20 minutes and may vary based on the needs of the student. Sessions are scheduled with the Cantor and take place weekday nights and Sunday mornings. At least one guardian is present with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidate at each session. These lessons will continue until the time of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Parents must be present and actively involved with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons of their child and follow up on all homework. EXPECTATIONS Students are expected to participate in the prayer services the evening before, and on the day of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Specific details of what each student will do are arranged with the rabbi. Typically, students will: Friday Night Recite the Friday evening Kiddush at Kabbalat Shabbat services Lead V shamru, Shema v ahavta Saturday morning Lead Shema, v ahavta Lead the service for taking the Torah out of the Ark Do 2 English readings in the Torah service Chant a portion from the Torah reading with the Torah blessings Chant the appropriate Haftarah reading and corresponding blessings OR Saturday Afternoon Lead the service for taking the Torah out of the Ark Do 2 English readings in the Torah service Chant from the Torah reading with the Torah blessings Lead portions of the Havdalah service SYNAGOGUE ATTENDANCE Dalet Students are required to attend six (6) services during the year, preferably similar to the one chosen for their own Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Each student needs to turn in a coupon to the Cantor or Cynthia as proof of attendance. Requirements must be met before lessons begin. Lessons begin 9-12 months prior to the Bar/ Bat Mitzvah. All requirements should be met before then. The board of education requires each Hey Student to attend the same type of service as their Bar/Bat Mitzvah once a month prior to their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. For example, if your Bar/Bat Mitzvah will be during a Saturday morning service, -! 5-

6 Mincha (Havdalah) service or Friday night service you need to attend these services to meet this obligation. It is strongly recommended that parents attends services with the child, so that the entire family will be familiar with the rituals surrounding the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. PACT PROGRAM Participation in the PACT program, most often during the 6 th grade academic year of the student, is a requirement for students and parents. The program is comprised of two parts. A Shabbat program for students highlights study of Bar/Bat Mitzvah issues, focusing on familiarity with BJC Shabbat services. There will be one Shabbat service like this throughout the academic year. A 4 part series of family programs, mainly on Sundays, for both parents and students helps to facilitate parent-child Jewish learning. This learning is especially important as adolescence begins, with its natural questioning and exploration of issues around God, our personal expressions of Judaism, and finding our places in the Jewish community. These programs also include sessions intended to orient and guide families with practical support as they proceed with the planning and preparation of this joyous event. TIKKUN OLAM (Fixing the World) PROJECT As B nai Mitzvah our students are asked to make fixing the world a priority through a Tikkun Olam Project. They should address one issue that is important and personal to them, something about which they are passionate, something that needs repairing, and take action to make the world a more just place. This should be discussed with family before lessons with the Cantor begin and the project should take place in the 6 months leading up the the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This Mitzvah Project is then presented during their Bat/Bar Mitzvah speech. Here are some suggested Tikkun Olam Projects : Visit and assist at a local food pantry. Serve meals at a senior center. Collect coats and hats for the needy and donate to a shelter. Collect food for a local food pantry. Assist at a local animal shelter or conduct a drive to place homeless pets. Help organize a rides program for the elderly and disabled members of our synagogue. Bake for the local Ronald McDonald House Offer to help build and decorate sukkot for people who are unable, or offer to help with the sukkot at the JCC or a Jewish nursing home. -! 6-

7 Organize a clean-up of a local park or volunteer to help with a stream reclamation project. Call your County Department of Natural Resources or Parks and Recreation Department. Offer to help build and decorate sukkot for people who are unable, or offer to help with the sukkot at the JCC or a Jewish nursing home. Become trained as a respite care provider to babysit children with disabilities. Donate some of your time to give relief to parents of these children, who rarely get a break. Collect books and magazines for hospitals and nursing homes, or for people in need. All donation bins must be removed from the synagogue within the week following the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service. See Appendix B for the Tikkun Olam Brit. MEETING WITH THE RABBI Rabbi Bernstein will reach out to you 3-4 months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah to work with your child on his speech and help you arrange the honors. This is a great opportunity to build a relationship between the the student, his/her family, and our rabbi. A parent or guardian is required to be present at these meetings and to make sure that all homework is completed. D VAR TORAH (THE SPEECH) On this day, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is charged with making ancient Jewish teaching, relevant to our modern world. They can do this in fun and creative ways. In this speech, not only will you teach your community, friends and family, but you will have the opportunity to thank the people that made this day possible and link the lessons of your Jewish heritage to your Tikkun Olam Project. Good luck, have fun and most importantly, make it personal! The speech should be about 2 pages double spaced. See Appendix C for a Dvar Torah writing worksheet. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Shabbat FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES Families attend services the Friday before the Bat/Bar Mitzvah. Services, unless otherwise noted, begin at 8:00 PM. Please arrive by 7:50 PM. Feel free to invite close friends and family, especially those who traveled from a far. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the whole Shabbat experience by having a special Shabbat dinner for your family and guests at your home or at shul prior to services. Dinners at shul are subject to availability of space. Catering and use of the facilities can be addressed with our Office Manager, Cynthia Jacobson. -! 7-

8 SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES Our Shabbat service begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. Your family, and those receiving honors, should be in their seats by 9:15. The Torah service begins at approximately 10:00 a.m. and our services are completed between noon and 12:15 p.m. Occasionally services run past 12:15, if Shabbat coincides with Rosh Hodesh or another holiday. Feel free to ask the Rabbi about your date. It is important that those honored with Aliyot know the procedures and blessings involved in being called to the Torah. Please ensure that all those assigned honors have practiced for their honor. All prayers are available under appendices. MINCHA (AFTERNOON) CELEBRATION If you have made special arrangements for a Mincha celebration, please be aware of the following: The starting time for the Mincha B nai Mitzvah will be established by the rabbi based on the end time of Shabbat. The typical Mincha service takes approximately one hour and will be followed by Havdalah. We recommend that your invitation state a starting time 15 minutes before the actual start of the service. Women are encouraged to wear a kippah as well. A kippah and tallit are required for all men and recommended for women who come up for an honor, but otherwise men are not required to wear a tallit during the Mincha service. There are only 3 aliyot to the Torah, but all other honors remain the same. ROSH HODESH SERVICES Rosh Hodesh services begin the same time as the regularly scheduled minyan. On Sundays, that is 9:00 AM. There are only 4 aliyot to the Torah, but all other honors remain the same. HONORS We give many opportunities to honor family and friends throughout the ceremony. The B nai Mitzvah families present a tallit to their Bar or Bat Mitzvah the morning of their ceremony. This takes place right before the Torah service where we open the Ark and remove the Torah to be chanted. -! 8-

9 We invite you to give one blessing to your child during the ceremony. After this time we invite a member of the family, usually parents or grandparents to present the Bar/Bat Mitzvah with the tallit. After which he/she will wrap themselves in the prayer shawl. You may also honor Jewish guests with opening the Ark, having an Aliyah to the Torah, and lifting and wrapping the Torah. It is important to our congregation to give a non-jewish parents the space to honor their child s achievement. We invite them to say the parent s blessing with their spouse and to stand with his/her spouse while he or she recites the blessings over the Torah. Every Bar/Bat Mitzvah will be entitled to a minimum of 3 aliyot and 3 honors. In the event of multiple celebrations such as two B nai Mitzvah or a Bar/Bat Mitzvah and a Baby naming, honors will be shared. There are 2 English readings to offer friends and family: Prayer for Our Country (Can be read by a non-jewish guest) Prayer for Israel (Can only be read by a Jewish guest) Rules for Aliyot to the Torah Aliyah 1 is filled by a Cohen. If you do not have a Cohen, the aliyah will be filled by the congregation Aliyah 2 is filled by a Levi. If you do not have a Levi, the aliyah will be filled by the congregation. Those coming up for an aliyah must be Jewish and above the age of Bar/Bat mitzvah (13 or above). If the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family are Kohanim or Leviim, they will check with the Rabbi for the proper procedure. Below, you will find: Parent s Blessing before Bar/Bat Mitzvah (Appendix A) A list of honors for family and friends (Appendix D) SHABBAT CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE Head Coverings and Prayer Shawls In keeping with Jewish tradition, a kippah (head covering) is to be worn by men at all times and Jewish men over the age of 13 are to wear a tallit (prayer shawl) during services. Women are encouraged to cover their heads and if they are of age, a tallit during services. Synagogue Etiquette Please help maintain the Shabbat atmosphere by refraining from eating, drinking, and -! 9-

10 using any electronic devices, phones, games, cameras, etc., in the sanctuary and throughout the synagogue building. Smoking is prohibited on synagogue grounds. Entering or Leaving the Sanctuary is Not Permitted During: Rabbi s sermon When the Congregation is standing When a Bar or Bat Mitzvah chants or speaks The Ark is open KIDDUSH AND CATERING It is a mitzvah to have a traditional meal following a major simcha (joyous life event). In addition to any planned Bar/Bat Mitzvah family affair, it is the obligation of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family to sponsor the basic congregational oneg shabbat and kiddush for Friday night and Saturday morning. The Bar Mitzvah family may invite the congregation to its basic Kiddush after services. This does not eliminate the Kiddush fee separately charged by the synagogue. Many congregants have elected to expand or enhance the basic Kiddush for the congregation. The synagogue will order the oneg Shabbat, Kiddush & flowers for the weekend, in accordance with its usual customs. If a family desires to hold a catered affair in the Synagogue, this function must be catered by a caterer selected from a list approved by the. Friday evening basic Kabbalat Shabbat for 50 congregants consists of wine, challah, cake, coffee and tea. Shabbat morning basic Kiddush for 50 congregants consists of wine, challah, bagels, cream cheese, cake, coffee, and tea. At Saturday Mincha or Sunday Rosh Chodesh, coffee and cake can be set up prior to the ceremony for your guests. If you wish this, when you fill out the forms, please let us know. No food may be brought in or prepared in the by the congregant. The Temple will make arrangements for the basic Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush for the affair. In the event of two or more Bnai Mitzvah families, planning a catered Kiddush at the same time, the parents must agree on using the same caterer. -! 10-

11 The Temple assumes no responsibility of lost property by persons using its facilities, checkroom, etc. No Food or other materials may be delivered or removed in the following span of time: 1 hour before sundown on Friday night and the conclusion of Shabbat. Please return all catering forms to the Synagogue office no later than 10 days prior to the synagogue. USHERS Every parent is required to Usher at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service during the year of their children s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. A schedule will be created ahead of time. The responsibility of the ushers are to: Make sure that all guests are welcomed and have the proper religious items like a Tallis and a head covering. Remind guests, especially the Bar/Bat Mitzvah s young friends, to behave in a way that is appropriate for a holy occasion. To allow guests into the sanctuary at appropriate times during the service. To request anyone using an electronic device to kindly put it away until they have left the synagogue property. DECORATIONS: FLOWERS AND TZEDAKAH BASKETS The Synagogue will order the flower arrangements in accordance with its usual customs. A family also has the option to create decorative Tzedakah baskets, for table center-pieces or the Bima, with items to be donated after the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Nothing can be delivered or removed during Shabbat and the hour before. KIPPOT AND HEAD COVERING Kippot head coverings (for women) can be ordered online on a variety of website or through Yussels, the Judaica shop in Merrick. CANDY TOSSING Candy is thrown at the Bar/Bat Mitzvah to shower them with sweetness on this special occasion. In order to keep everyone safe, we ask that the candy is soft and kosher, with the approval of Rabbi Bernstein. We recommend Sunkist Gems which can be purchased at Tavlin on Merrick Road in Bellmore. You can put them in individual pouches and have a young family member, such as a sibling, distribute them from a basket towards the end of the Torah reading. -! 11-

12 MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES If you wish to set up an appointment to have pictures taken in the sanctuary in the week before the ceremony, please call the office as soon as you have spoken with the photographer. We will arrange to have the ark opened for you. If you would like the rabbi present in photos, please contact her directly. There is no photography allowed in the synagogue on Shabbat. RECOMMENDED BOOKS & RESOURCES Books: Putting God on the Guest List, Rabbi Jeffery K. Salkin It s a Mitzvah!, Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson Websites: BUYING A TALLIS & TEFILLIN A Tallis and set of Tefillin (Phylacteries) can be bought at Yussels or other Judaica shops on Long Island and also online. If a loved one is travelling to Israel beforehand, buying a Tallis in Israel can be a very special gift for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. A yad (special pointer for reading Torah) can also be bought in any of these locations. The child will already have his/her prayer book from Hebrew School. FINANCES All financial obligations to the synagogue must be satisfied 30 days prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The flower and Kiddush fee includes the use of a room for Oneg Shabbat (Friday night) and Kiddush (Saturday morning). There is an additional fee for Mincha/Havdalah services and/or Sunday Rosh Chodesh services. POST BAR/BAT MITZVAH EXPERIENCE Your child s Jewish journey is just getting started after hitting this amazing milestone. Since our goal is for these kids to be Jewishly engaged for the rest of their lives, we give them opportunities to continue learning, volunteering and having fun. We invite your teens to participate in the following ways: Volunteer as a teacher s aid in our Hebrew School Join our youth group (USY) and have fun with other Jewish teens Join Lishma for discussion and dinner with the rabbi -! 12-

13 Parent Blessing for Bat Mitzvah Appendices Appendix A Tallit Ceremony and Parent s Blessing Gratefully we thank You for the joyous privilege of seeing our daughter, attain this milestone. On this day, our hopes and dreams for our daughter are fulfilled. On this day, new dreams and new hopes are born. We give thanks for the wondrous privilege of seeing, grow day by day, week by week, year by year. For the health and strength You have given her, for the mind and spirit with which You endowed her, for her ability to elicit and return love, for all these precious gifts, we thank You. Watch over her, O God, on this special day and every day. Grant her a growing understanding of the true significance of this occasion and a deepening loyalty to everything, which it represents. May the teachings of our heritage guide her throughout life; and may she lead a life worthy of Your Blessing. Parent Blessing for Bar Mitzvah Gratefully we thank You for the joyous privilege of seeing our son, attain this milestone. On this day, our hopes and dreams for our daughter are fulfilled. On this day, new dreams and new hopes are born. We give thanks for the wondrous privilege of seeing, grow day by day, week by week, year by year. For the health and strength You have given him, for the mind and spirit with which You endowed him, for his ability to elicit and return love, for all these precious gifts, we thank You. Watch over him, O God, on this special day and every day. Grant him a growing understanding of the true significance of this occasion and a deepening loyalty to -! 13-

14 everything, which it represents. May the teachings of our heritage guide him throughout life; and may he lead a life worthy of Your Blessing. Appendix B- TIKKUN OLAM PROJECT BRIT (AGREEMENT) Student Name Date Dalet students are responsible for a TIKKUN OLAM Project as part of B nai Mitzvah requirements. The TIKKUN OLAM Project is a community-based program under Hebrew School mentorship. The TIKKUN OLAM Project has the following requirements: Written contract (BRIT) detailing the project Minimum of three (3) hours of direct involvement in the community 1 page written (both objective & subjective) summary of the experiential project Presentation of Tikkun Olam Project at their Friday Evening Shabbat Service Tikkun Olam Project MUST be completed prior to student s Bar/Bat Mitzvah or May 1st of Religious School year...whichever comes first. Description of TIKKUN OLAM Project: Date(s) for Direct Involvement in the Community: (Minimum of THREE [3] Hours) A. B. C. Signature of On-Site Person Supervising Tikkun Olam Project : / (Name & Title (Signature ) (Telephone #) (Date) -! 14-

15 SIGNATURES: (Student) (Parent/Guardian) (Principal)! Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook (Teacher) (Rabbi) Appendix C-- Dvar Torah Worksheet 1. Read through your summary with Rabbi Bernstein. If you find something interesting, look it up directly in the Torah ( or in hard copy at home or at shul. 2. Google your Torah portion (Parashat ) and see what others have written. This might spark an idea. 3. Mark your ideas in the chart below. You should have the begining of 3 different ideas by the 2nd meeting with Rabbi Bernstein. Chapter: Verse Question: What is troubling? What makes sense? What is interesting? Idea Reminds me of ! 15-

16 3. Outline of a speech Step 1: Greet everyone with Shabbat Shalom. Step 2. Talk about your Torah portion and provide a short overview Step 3. Explain or discuss something (one thing) you find interesting about your Torah portion. Step 4. React to the message or moral or idea of your Torah portion. What do you think? Step 5. Provide example of how this applies to your life. Step 6. Recap your teaching briefly. Step 7. Thank parents, siblings, teachers, friends, etc... Step 8. End with Shabbat Shalom. -! 16-

17 Appendix D Bar/Bat Mitzvah Honors Please this completed form to the rabbi, cantor and office staff no later than the Sunday before the Bar/Bat-Mitzvah Rabbi.BellmoreJewishCenter@verizon.net CantorElliottYavneh@aol.com Office.BellmoreJewishCenter@verizon.net Presenting Tallis: Ark Opening: 1. & & & 6. Aliyot to the Torah: Ben = Son of (e.g. David Ben shlomo v chana) Bat= Daughter of (e.g Leah Bat Shlomo v chana) 1. (Cohen) English Name/s: 2. (Levi) English Name/s: 3. English Name/s: -! 17-

18 4. English Name/s:! Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook 5. English Name/s: 6. English Name/s: 7. English Name/s: Maftir: (Bar/Bat Mitzvah) English Name: Hagbah and Gelilah (Lifting and Wrapping the Torah) Hagbah (Lifting) Gelilah (Wrapping): Pg Prayer for Our Country: Pg Prayer for Israel (In English): Ark Opening: 1. & & & 6. Doing Hamotsi: -! 18-

19 Prayers Shema, V ahavta V shamru -! 19-

20 Kiddush BLESSING FOR TALLIS -! 20-

21 !! Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook TORAH BLESSINGS You Respond -! 21-

22 !! Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook Torah Service -! 22-

23 !! Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook -! 23-

24 Pg. 140 in Siddur Sim Shalom I am the servant of the Holy One, whom I revere and whose Torah I revere at all times. Not on mortals do I rely, nor upon angels do I depend, but on the God of the universe, the God of truth, whose Torah is truth, whose prophets are truth, and who abounds in deeds of goodness and truth. In God do I put my trust; unto God s holy precious being do I utter praise. Open my heart to your Torah. Answer my prayers and the prayers of all your people Israel for goodness, for life, and for peace. Amen. -! 24-

25 Pg. 154 in Siddur Sim Shalom Precious teaching do I give you. Never forsake my Torah. It is a tree of life for those who grasp it, and all who uphold it are blessed. Its ways are pleasant and all its paths are peace. Help us turn to you, Adonai and we shall return. Renew our lives as in days of old. -! 25-

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29 !!! Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook -! 29-