[HANASHIR:10919] Re: 20Re: Adon Olam and Bar Mitzvahs

[Freedabet <Freedabet...>]

I think it also has a lot to do with the size of the congregation.  A large 
congregation has so many demands on it (aliyot, ufruf, etc.) that the role of 
the B/Mitzvah is but one of many simchas, and there may be one or more per 
Shabbat, while at a small congregation the B/Mitzvah is personally known to 
all and something for the congregation to kvell over.

Michael

-------- REPLY, Original message follows --------

> Date: Tuesday, 12-Feb-02 06:02 PM
> 
> From: ItaSara (at) aol(dot)com          \ America Online: (ITASARA)
> To:   Hanashir Mail Server     \ Internet:    (hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org)
> 
> Subject:  [HANASHIR:10913] 20Re: Adon Olam  and Bar Mitzvahs
> 
> Sender: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> Reply-to:       hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> To:     hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> 
> 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 
> Ive 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 Ill find out!
> 
> Sincerely, Ellen Lerner, Rochester, Ny.
> 
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