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B'nai Mitzvah - page 5

What the Parents Do
Besides schlepping the child to the tutor, here are some of things that you, the parents, do:

• Participants list: Prepare a list of family members who will receive honors
• Learn the parents' blessings: You will recite the parents' blessings during the service. These are not long, and should be mastered prior to the final rehearsal.
• Review the aliyah blessings: You will be called to the Torah to recite the blessings before and after the Torah reading for the seventh aliyah. Make sure that you are familiar with these Hebrew blessings.
• Tefilin: For boys, and girls if they wish - obtain a pair of kosher tefilin and make sure that the child knows how to put them on.
• Tallit: Boys and girls are expected to wear tallitot when called to the Torah or to lead the congregation in prayer. It is customary, but not required, that they have their own. Tikvat Israel does not make the presentation of the tallit a part of the Shabbat service, but a private family ceremony can be arranged in advance of the service.
• Kippot: Girls and boys are expected to wear a kippah during the service.
• Sponsor the Kiddush: Typically, the family sponsors the Kiddush after the service; a range of options are available from snacks to a sit-down lunch. The synagogue Kitchen Committee, comprised of volunteers, handles all aspects of the food preparation, set-up, and clean-up. About three months prior to your child's simcha, contact the Kitchen Committee chair to make arrangements for the Kiddush.
• Volunteer to prepare the Kiddush: In return for the Kitchen Committee's support, one adult from the family is asked to volunteer to help the committee at least four times prior to your child's event.
• Tzedakah: Donations to worthy beneficiaries and organizations are a time-honored way to mark any important occasion. You are encouraged to continue the tradition. If you would like suggestions, speak with the Rabbi or Cantor.

Participants List

• Two individuals or couples to have an aliyah (be called to the Torah to recite the blessing before and after a portion is read)
• For each Torah scroll that is taken out: One individual (man or woman) to carry the Torah from the ark around the sanctuary, and one individual to carry the Torah back to the ark at the end of the Torah service
• One individual per Torah scroll to wrap the scroll up
• Two individuals or couples to open the ark
• Optional: an individual to recite the prayer for peace (in English)