A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED GABBAI

Beth Am Ritual Committee, February, 2007

 

Before the service:

·        Arrive by 9:45 a.m.  G-d willing, someone with a key (Marion, Gary, Nancy, or Larry) will let you in.

·        Turn on lights (round dimmer switches as you enter Fellowship Hall) and open blinds. 

·        Roll out the siddurim and chumashim cart, set out tallitot, kippot, and Beth Am literature.  Please ditch outdated material.

·        Arrange chairs in a crescent and set up a table in front.

·        Move the Ark behind the table (it's on wheels) but first, unplug the Ner Tamid.  A battery keeps it lit.  Take care not to bump the Ner Tamid against the ceiling overhang.  Plug it in again.  Unlock the Ark door.

·        Set out the table cover with items such as Adon Olam, blessing for children, Torah blessings, list of yarzheits and recent deaths.

·        Please get a cup of water for the service-leader (shaliah tzibbur).

 

During the service:

Assign Torah honors only to Jews.  You announce, "The congregation calls ____ to take out the Torah," "The congregation calls ____ for the 1^st Aliyah."  Look to service leader for clues about when to announce.  "Ya'amod…" indicates it is time to announce an aliyah.

☺   Torah remover/parader (someone strong)

☺   3 Aliyot

☺   Hagbah (someone very strong)

☺   Gelilah

 

Exceptions to above:  

Either way, please tell the service-leader. 

·        If we have a Minyan and the Torah is read in English, you need only one person to remove and   parade the Torah.

·        If there is not a minyan, the Torah is not taken out.  There is a prayer for the study of Torah that can be done .         

 

After the service: Lock the Ark. Put everything away. You can leave the chairs and table in place. 

 

Questions?  Contact Gail Jennings.  Ph.: 210-275-7938  Email: gailj2203@yahoo.com