Sha’are Shalom relies on congregants to lead our Shabbat evening services on the first and fourth Fridays of each month. Many members have stepped forward to take a turn – much to the appreciation of the congregation. We hope those members will return to the bimah, and that others will lead for the first time.
To lead a service, you don’t have to be able to read Hebrew, or to be able to sing – we can give you a hand in both departments. You just have to read through one of the services in our siddur, Gates of Prayer, and choose which prayers to include – what to say and what to sing, what to read in Hebrew and what in English. And you would also do a D’var Torah – share your thoughts briefly on the relevance for you of some passage in that week’s parsha, or Torah portion. You are also free to share the service-leader duties with someone else: For example, one of you can lead, while another presents the D’var Torah.
To lead a service, you do have to be Jewish and above bar/bat mitzvah age (you don’t have to be Jewish to give the D’var Torah). I’ll be happy to give you guidance. There’s a sign-up sheet in the lobby for dates from Sept. 27 all the way through May — we hope it fills up soon with many different names from our membership.
Pat Myers, Religious Affairs Chairman
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