Every child is different and every bar and bat mitzvah is different. Within the guidelines of halacha, or Jewish law, there is some flexibility, and we will do everything we can to do what is best for your child. One child may use a different melody than another, and there may be places in which it is appropriate for one child to read Hebrew where another reads English. With that being said, the basic Shabbat morning service is a strong tradition in the history of our people. We will use this service as the template for your child’s bar or bat mitzvah. The following is the basic service order for our b’nei mitzvah here at the Roth Center. Bolded lines are led by the bar or bat mitzvah.
Prayer Name | Page | Action | Notes | Participants |
Ma Tovu | 140 | Stand | Hebrew, first line twice |
Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation sings along |
Baruch sheh’amar | 180 | Stand | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation sings along |
Psalm 90:
|
186 | Sit | English | Rabbi leads, congregation responds |
Ashrey | 190 | Sit | Hebrew, silently | Rabbi announces |
Psalm 150 Hallelujah | 194 | Sit | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation sings along |
Nishmat Kol Chai | 214 | Sit | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation sings along (may be responsive English reading by bar or bat mitzvah) |
Shocheyn Ad | 218 | Sit | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation sings along |
Chatzi Kaddish | 220 | Stand | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds |
Barchu | 224 | Stand | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds |
El Adon | 228 | Sit | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation sings along |
230-240 | Sit | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation sings along and reads silently |
|
Shema and V’ahavta | 242 | Sit | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation sings along |
True and Enduring | 248 | Sit | English | Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds |
Mi Chamocha | 252 | Sit | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation responds |
Avot | 255 | Stand | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah sings solo |
Kedusha: | 256 | Stand | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation responds |
L’dor v’dor | 256 | Stand | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds |
Silent Amidah | 258-266 | Stand | Silent | Congregation |
Kaddish Shalem
|
268 | Stand | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah leads solo |
Torah Service: The bar or bat mitzvah and their family rise and gather around the ark. The appointed person opens the ark. The Torah is handed by the rabbi to members of the family and it is passed one by one (l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation), to the bar or bat mitzvah. Everyone stays behind the bar or bat mitzvah as the service continues. | ||||
Shema | 320 | Stand | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds |
At “Gadlu, L’Adoshem,” the bar or bat mitzvah turns to face the ark and bows as that part is chanted. The bar or bat mitzvah then takes the Torah to the congregation to be greeted. The family follows behind in procession. The bar or bat mitzvah should take time and walk around the congregation slowly, giving everyone a chance to greet or to kiss the Torah. This is an honor. It should not be rushed. | ||||
Blessings before and after the Torah readings | 322 | Stand | Hebrew | Each person honored with an aliyah. There are seven aliyot; the parents take the seventh. Rabbi and the bar or bat mitzvah will do the Torah chanting. |
Mi Shebeirach | Back cover of siddur | Sit | Hebrew and English | Rabbi or gabbai leads, congregation sings along |
Maftir | Torah | Stand | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah leads solo |
324 | Stand | Hebrew | Rabbi or gabbai leads | |
Haftarah and Haftarah blessings | 326 | Stand | Hebrew | Bar or bat mitzvah solo |
D’var Torah | Prepared | Stand | English | Bar or bat mitzvah alone |
Yehallelu | 340 | Stand | Hebrew, scroll returned to ark at the end. | Rabbi leads, congregation sings along |
Etz Chaim | 346 | Stand | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation sings |
Blessings upon parents | — | Stand | Hebrew and English | Rabbi |
Blessings upon bar or bat mitzvah | — | Stand | Hebrew and English | Rabbi |
Presentation by board | ||||
Presentation by education director | ||||
Blessing from the parents | ||||
Aleinu | 402 | Stand | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, congregation sings along |
Mourner’s Kaddish | 410 | Mourners stand, congregation sits | Hebrew | Rabbi leads, mourners join |
Adon Olam | 412 | Sit | Hebrew | B’nei mitzvah class leads, congregation sings along |
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Upper Valley Jewish Community
5 Occom Ridge, Hanover, NH 03755
603-646-0460 | office@uvjc.org