[HANASHIR:5988] Re: Edelweiss at a Bat Mitzvah service

[Jonathan Gordon <jbgordon...>]

i will add another reason to avoid singing musical comedy  tunes during
the bar mitzvah ceremony. the service is first a shabbat worship
service,  and as a result of that, it is the time when a young person
becomes bat or bar mitzvah.  if it becomes a birthday party no
congregants would ever be comfortable attending the service for the
purpose of worship. yet the idea of reading torah is so that  the
congregation will be able to hear it read. it  undercuts the real purpose
of the event.
as to how to let the loving father know, i would personally say that i
was uncomfortable putting non liturgical elements into a worship service,
and would suggest the tender moment be created at  the party.  surely
your rabbi and ritual committee will be with you in this, yes?
jonathan gordon

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