So You Think You May Be Done...

Finishing the Service
When you think your service is done, have people look over your service (parents, siblings, friends, Rabbis, your board/committee). Make sure that you have distributed all the parts of the service. Make sure you contact everyone that has a part, that they know what part they are doing, and are able to pronounce/read their part. You need to figure out how the service is going to be introduced and who will welcome the congregation to the service, as well as what they will say in the welcome. Keep in close contact with your Rabbi and whoever else will participate in the service in any way, such as the Temple President giving announcements during the service. Also, be prepared to make changes in the service as you go. Not everything may run exactly as planned, and you need to be ready to make adaptations as needed. For instance, if a participant with a part in the service does not show up or someone forgets to go to the bima and say their part, you need a plan! It is a good idea to have someone with a copy of the service and everyone’s parts to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Leading
Don’t be nervous! I know you can’t just tell yourself not to be and have the knot in your stomach magically disappear, but remember: this isn’t a performance! This is a service, a time for people to come and pray and extract meaning from a service, not to stare at a performer. You are just participating in a service as the congregation is, except for that tiny detail: you’re the one on the bima. Take a deep breath, and do it!