[HANASHIR:10913] 20Re: Adon Olam and Bar Mitzvah’s

[ItaSara <ItaSara...>]

In a message dated 2/12/02 2:01:14 PM, srtalina (at) hotmail(dot)com writes:

<< My experience (although limited) has been that the bar/bat mitzvah does 
have 
a substantial vote in the melodies and content of the service, at least in a 
Reform setting.  I would suppose the reason behind this is that the bar/bat 
mitzvah is leading a large portion (if not all) of the service and that it 
is that person's special day. >>

Again, I find this very interesting, because it really depends on the 
individual Reform Temple. The philosophy where I belong has been that Shabbat 
Services are not just for the Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah. They are for 
mourners and other congregants who just want to observe Shabbat.
So the bar/bat mitzvah really does not lead most of the service. There may be 
a reading by a guest at the beginning, or by the bar/bat mitzvah, and there 
may be a short talit ceremony at the start,  but not until the Torah service, 
does the Bar Mitzvah have much of a role. Whoever is in charge of music does 
not ask the family for suggestions on the whole. If a family wants a special 
musical request, they can ask an often get what they want, but there is no 
guarantee. On the other hand, there is another Reform temple in town that 
I’ve visted for a bar mitzvah, and there, the Bar/Bat mitzvah does lead the 
entire service, but the difference is (besides the Rabbis and there own Min 
hagg) is that it is a very small congregation compared to the one I belong to 
and most of the congregants, if not all, who come to the bar mitzvah are 
guests of the family. I also sing at another very small congregation and have 
yet to witness what a bar mitzvah is like, but I may be singing as one of 
them soon, so I’ll find out!

Sincerely, Ellen Lerner, Rochester, Ny.

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