OPENING
A song and/or reading to get the congregation into the mood of the service and introduce the theme
SH'MA & ITS BLESSINGS
BARCHU– call to worship
Must be read or sung in Hebrew or English
YOTZER OR – wonders of God’s creations, praise of God as creator
May be replaced by a reading conveying this theme or can be read in Hebrew or English
AHAVAH RABBAH– revelation –the eternal love between God and the Jewish people
May be replaced by a reading conveying this theme or can be read in Hebrew or English
SH'MA– the unity of God and the Jewish people; belief in one God
Must be sung or read in Hebrew or English
V’AHAVTA– rationale for the Shema, and the ways for us to love God, must immediately follow the Shema
May be read, chanted or sung in Hebrew or English
G’ULAH: EMET V’YATZIV / MI CHAMOCHA– redemption; rejoicing that we are free today because God rescued our ancestors from slavery in Egypt
The section preceding the Mi Chamocha may be replaced by a reading conveying the theme of redemption, and then Mi Chamocha may be read in Hebrew or English
AMIDAH
ADONAI S’FATAI TIFTACH– intro to Amidah; it asks that our prayers may be sincere
usually sung in Hebrew or English, but it can be read.
AVOT V’IMAHOT– God has been the shield of the Jewish people throughout the generations
read or chanted in Hebrew
G’VUROT– wonder of God’s strength, greatness and power to give freedom and healing
either read or chanted in Hebrew
K’DUSHA– sanctity of God’s name, we imitate the angels in Heaven who declare God’s holiness
Read or chanted in Hebrew
During the Week: Several bakashot—requests—to God are made.
On Shabbat: There are no requests made, but there is a special Kedushat HaYom.
MODIM-giving thanks to God
May be read or sung in Hebrew or English; may also be replaced by a reading conveying this theme
BIRKAT SHALOM – peace and our longing for it
Can be read or sung in Hebrew or be replaced by a reading on peace
SILENT PRAYER – a moment of quiet allowing individuals to pray, think, etc.
A good time to include a thematic reading for the participants to read to themselves and should be concluded with a song
On Monday, Thursday and Shabbat mornings, the Torah Service is included here.
CLOSING
ALEINU– praising God for choosing the Jews to do our part in bringing about the messianic age as stated in the Torah by the prophets
KADDISH– expresses our praise to God; used to remember those who have died
A reading can be placed before the Kaddish that deals with life cycles, loss, or continuity of the world
CLOSING– a song or reading pertaining to the selected theme. Both can be used.
