General Notes:

Shabbat is of great importance to the Jewish people. Subsequently, leading a Shabbat service is an honor that must be treated with dignity. People are at services because they wish to honor and celebrate the Shabbat holiday. As leader it is important that you also demonstrate respect for the holiday as well as the congregants.

It is acceptable to have co-leaders.

Pre bar/bat mitzvah age children may assist their parent(s) with leading the service but should not plan on leading the service on their own.

If you have any plans for having the congregation help lead the service it is preferred that "volunteers" are arranged for ahead of time. Some people do not wish to participate in the Shabbat service in this manner and calling on them spontaneously could leave many with an uncomfortable feeling. It is suggested that you ask people to participate by handing them a card indicating the page number and passage prior to the start of services. This makes the honor a bit more formal and also gives the person the opportunity to decline the honor.

All Hebrew prayers and songs referred to in these guidelines are transliterated in the Likrat Shabbat prayer book. Note: there are 3 versions of Likrat Shabbat on the bookrack at the synagogue. The newest edition (enhanced) is typically in the front of the rack. It is a gender-neutral version.

Any other English or Hebrew readings from Likrat Shabbat or other Jewish sources may be added to the service as the leader so desires.
 
The Leader should strive to start the service on time at 7:30.

The service should be planned such that it does not exceed one hour.

 
 

Page	Title	Notes
3 blue	Shabbat candle lighting blessing	Typically led by a female in the congregation as selected by leader. Typically sung in Hebrew.
13-b	Shalom Aleyhem	Typically sung in Hebrew.
20	Hiney ma tov (and/or any English reading on pages 20 or 21)	Hiney ma-tov is typically sung in Hebrew.
40	Leha Dodi	Typically we do the first two and last two versus (sung in Hebrew). On the last verse have congregation rise and face entry of sanctuary.
52	Barhu++ & Ma-ariv Aravim	Ask congregation to rise. Open ark doors.** Close ark doors and let everyone be seated before reading Ma-ariv Aravim in Hebrew and/or English.
72	Shema (v’ahavta can be done in Hebrew and/or English)	Typically congregation stands.
87	Emet v’emunah	Read English responsively down to "Who is like you…" then sing Mi-cahmocha. Finish in either Hebrew or English.
108	Hatzi Kaddish++	Typically said in Hebrew.
110-119	Silent Amidah	Leader and congregation rise and face the ark and read prayers silently. Read paragraph on 119 responsively and typically we finish by singing Oseh Shalom.
142	Kiddush - if Shabbat falls on a festival the Kiddush is slightly different (found on p.159) and may be read in English.	Typically invite pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah to bima. Ask congregation to rise. Typically sung in Hebrew.
Bible	D’var Torah or other related discussion	Open forum to discuss the week’s Torah portion or other related items.
166	Aleinu	Ask congregation to rise. Open ark doors.** Typically sung in Hebrew.
169	"We hope for the day" followed by V’ne-emar	English said responsively. V’ne-emar is sung in Hebrew (on bottom of p. 168).
71 blue	Prayer for the sick	Say in English and ask congregation if there is anyone’s name they would like to mention.
184	Mourners Kaddish ++	Mention Yahrzeit names from bulletin and ask congregation if there are any other names they would like to mention. Ask those would like to stand to rise. Say prayer in Hebrew.
	Announcements	Invite the President or other Board member present up to the bima to do announcements.
188	Adon Olam	Sung in Hebrew; leader selects the tune.

 

Other "favorites"
 

Page	Title	Notes
96	V’shamru	Sung in Hebrew.
118	Oseh Shalom	Sung in Hebrew at end of amidah.

 

**Whenever the ark doors are opened the congregation should be standing and no one (including the service leader) should turn their back to the open ark.

++ These prayers should not be recited unless there is a minyan (a minyan consists of 10 adult [i.e., post bar/bat mitzvah age] Jews).