JewsByChoice.Org

This coming Shabbat, with my rabbi on vacation and our intern doing Air Force Reserve duty, I will have the opportunity to lead Torah study and services for our informal Shabbat morning. As I’ve observed others over the past few years lead services at my temple I’ve taken a number of mental notes and what to do and what not to do. As potential prayer leaders I thought it might be a good idea to do a post on what I’ve been thinking about. One disclaimer before I begin: this is all coming from the perspective of leading a small, Reform Shabbat morning service, though it could obviously be adapted for more traditional settings.

1. Be prepared.

Like the Boy Scouts, it is always good to go through the siddur a few days before hand and make sure you know what you want to do: what are you going to read in Hebrew vs. English? What are you going to sing vs. chant or read? What melodies will you use? What parts will you read personally and what parts will you have others take turns reading? I would suggest using sticky notes to mark cues for yourself (such as “we join together in the singing of Mah Tovu on page 104” or “we stand now for the call to worship on page 108”). It is always good to have your own siddur, but most synagogues would not have a problem with loaning one out if you don’t.

2. Know your audience.

Obviously your congregation and fellow worshipers are not an audience, but the idea still holds true. If you usually have a group of people who are proficient in Hebrew you’ll probably want to use more Hebrew. If you have people who like to sing, you’ll want to sing more. If you know that you will have students who are working towards a bar or bat mitzvah in attendance maybe set aside a prayer for them to do by themselves. However…

3. Be prepared to make quick adjustments!

Just because you have planned on doing one thing does not mean you should stick to that plan exactly once the service begins. Go in knowing that you may need to adapt to the needs of the congregation. You may have planned what you deem a perfect service, but if it is perfect only for the leader then something is wrong. Always keep at the forefront of your mind that you are helping to lead your fellows in prayer, in communicating with God. You have a responsibility to the people around you, not only to yourself. If you notice that you are the only one saying the Hebrew prayers make sure you say “We all join together in the Hebrew…” and if after that you are still going at it solo, switch to using the English translations or point out where the transliterations are. Another option is to begin in Hebrew and having everyone continue after the first line or so in English, ending with the chatima.

Keep an eye on more than just your own siddur. If you notice that someone is having problems keeping up make sure you are announcing page numbers at a regular interval. You may be able to follow along easily with the flow of the service, but not everyone else can. Announce the page and even where on the page, especially if you are using the new Reform prayerbook, Mishkan T’fila. It can be very frustrating to not know where you are in the order of the service, as I think anyone who has converted can attest to from their earliest experiences at synagogue.

4. Know the traditions and customs of the synagogue and/or that particular prayer group.

Is it tradition to stand or sit during the Sh’ma? Do you stand before beginning the Chatzi Kaddish or after? During the Torah service is there a Hakafah? Who is generally given the aliyah? I can attest to the fact that when you are used to doing things one way it can be quite jarring when someone not as familiar with the traditions of your temple comes in and does things differently; in the past we have had HUC rabbinic students fill in and they have not taken any opportunity to familiarize themselves with the custom of my temple and have just lead services as they see fit. To some extent it is the prerogative of the service leader, but again, you responsible for the group’s prayer and not just your own. If the group is going to be uncomfortable with any changes or choices you make they may have a harder time connecting to their prayer experience.

5. Be confident and comfortable!

If you are not comfortable with what you are doing it will show and could affect those around you. The first time we used MT at our Shabbat morning service it was very obvious that my rabbi was not comfortable with the new format and we all joined in awkwardly, which can be jarring for a group that usually prays in harmony. The more familiar you are with what you want to do, and the more you have things planned out in your head, the more at ease you will be when adapting changes on the fly. Remember: you don’t have to say everything. Part of being the leader is allowing others to take part and be connected to the prayer. If you feel more comfortable leading the singing but would like people to take turns with the English translations make sure you have a plan: will you just go around the room or circle or give people assignments beforehand?

If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet, I hope that everyone gets the chance to lead Torah study or services or both at some point. It is a very spiritually fulfilling experience to help your fellow worshippers engage in the study of Torah and in prayer. Not only is it good for you, personally, but it is beneficial for the community to see one of their own members take on that responsibility.