The Library Minyan is an ongoing participatory community and welcomes the celebrations of Bar and Bat Mitzvah by its members. These celebrations, while having unique meaning for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah and his/her family, also incorporate the Minyan’s traditions and practices. These guidelines are meant to help members in planning their simcha and to make it as meaningful and enjoyable as possible.

Scheduling Your Simcha at the Library Minyan

Dates for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah are reserved through Hazzan Lipton’s office (Hillary Wolf, ext. 225), which will coordinate scheduling with the Minyan’s chairperson. The Minyan chairperson will pass the information on to the correct Gabbai of the week of the simcha. The Gabbai will contact the family to review the service and coordinate the distribution of honors. The Gabbai will also facilitate the family’s contact with the Library Minyan coordinator responsible for distributing the D’var Torah, Haftarah, and Torah reading.

Starting Time for Morning Service

The Library Minyan service begins at 9:45 am, on regular Shabbatot and at 9:30 when Hallel is recited. The Minyan also begins at 9:30 when there is a full Torah reading (see paragraph below).

Torah Reading

In the Library Minyan we read the triennial Torah reading, according to the Conservative movement’s approved triennial schedule, as does the Main Sanctuary. At the simcha family’s request we will do the full traditional weekly Torah reading, but the family will be responsible for providing Torah readers. Anyone reading Torah must know how to read with correct trop (melody) and pronunciation, and must be adequately prepared. Particularly for a full reading, experienced Torah readers is essential.

Below is a list of honors available for distribution by the simcha family. It is possible to create additional honors, but doing so should be coordinated in advance with the Minyan gabbai.

Aliyot

The family will have five aliyot on Shabbat morning, in addition to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah Maftir Aliya. This will reserve two Aliyot for congregational use. The maximum of two adults can be called up to the Torah for each Aliya.  It is very important that those honored are comfortable with reciting the blessings in Hebrew and know proper Torah etiquette. We are happy to help you in this regard. Please list both the Hebrew and English names and if the individual is a Cohen or Levi, so that they may be appropriately recognized. The parents of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah are usually given the final Aliyah so they may be present at the reader’s table when their child is called to the Torah for the Maftir.

Prayer Leaders

Any guest who is given the honor of leading a part of the service should be familiar with the correct nusach (melody) and the Minyan’s customary ritual procedures (e.g., what is said out loud and/or silently, and whether the Amidah is a short version or full repetition). The simcha family and/or the guest prayer leader should discuss this in advance with the gabbai of the week.

Ritual Apparel

Anyone who comes before the congregation to lead any part of the service--prayer leaders, Torah readers, or those having aliyot--must wear a head covering and tallit. This applies to both men and women.

Roles for Children Leading Services

Children aged nine and above are permitted to read from the Torah. Optionally, a child may lead the Ashrei before the Torah is replaced in the Ark. Anim Z’mirot, which in itself is optional, may be led by a child. In addition, Ein Keloheinu, Aleinu, and Adon Olam, may be led by a group of children. A child may be given the honor of sitting and holding the Torah, after Hagba and Gelila, for the remainder of the Torah service.

Microphone

The chapel may be enlarged to accommodate additional guests. When the partition is opened, it can be quite difficult to hear a child’s voice in the back half of the room. A microhone is available as an option for use at the family’s discretion, and the family must communicate with the synagogue’s Facility Coordinator (Amy Rabin, ext. 213) if they would like the microphone to be available.

Greeters

As a way of welcoming invited guests who may not be familiar with our minyan, the family may wish to designate one or two Minyan members as greeters. The greeters may be available to help guests find kippot and tallitot, Siddurim and Chumashim, and seating.

Honors Booklet

Although optional, many families choose to prepare and distribute a printed book­let describing the service and listing the honor. The rabbi’s office has a template available, and Library Minyan members who have had simchas in the past will be happy to share samples.

Kiddush

As part of celebrating with the Library Minyan community, it is our policy that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family share their simcha with the Library Minyan congregation by hosting the congregational festive kiddush following the service.

Honors for Shabbat Morning Service

The following honors are available to allow your family and guests to participate in the Shabbat Morning Service at your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Please provide us with the English names of those participating, as well as the Hebrew names (in Hebrew or English transliteration) for those receiving Aliyot to the Torah.

Ark Openings (two people for each)

At start of Torah Service

 At end of Torah Service

 (optional) Anim Z’mirot

 

Carrying the Torah throughout the Congregation

The Torah Scrolls can be quite heavy. If the Bar or Bat Mitzvah will have difficulty carrying the Torah through the chapel, you may wish to give a guest this honor.

Hagbah and Gelilah

The person honored with Hagbah must be able to lift the Torah from its position on the reader’s table to a position above his or her head, in order to display the open scroll to the congregation. The person honored with Gelilah will bind and dress the Torah, and will not need to lift the scroll.

Prayers

The people honored must be able to speak clearly and with presence before a large audience. The person reading the Prayer for The State of Israel must be ftuent in reading Hebrew, All of these may be led by 1 or 2 people.

Prayer for our Country (may be a non-Jew)

Prayer for the State of Israel (in Hebrew)

Prayer for Peace (may be a non-Jew)