bar mitzvah of adam maxwell kaplan -...

BAR MITZVAH OF

Adam Maxwell Kaplan

Congregation Kol Haverim

Glastonbury, Connecticut

Rabbi Craig Marantz

Tami Cherdack, Cantorial Soloist

6 April 2013 26 Nissan 5773

Be Strong

Be strong enough to lead when you should. Be wise enough to know that you cannot do everything alone. Be willing to share your joys generously. Be willing to share the sorrows of others. Be a leader when you see a path others have missed. Be a follower when others show the way. Be understanding of your enemies. Be loyal to your friends. Take time to read – reading gives knowledge and perspective. Take time to reflect – reflection gives strength in times of trouble. Take time to love – love and friendship make life worthwhile. Take time to laugh – laughter is the music of the soul. Take time to think – thoughts are the source of wisdom. Take time to play – play renews the spirit. Above all, take time to know yourself. Above all, take time to enjoy the world.

OUR WISH FOR OUR SON

The ark before you was dedicated at the Ados Israel Synagogue on Market Street in Hartford on August 27, 1899. It has survived a major fire, two devastating floods; and the redevelopment wrecking ball. On November 9, 1986, it witnessed the final service of Ados Israel after 120 years as a congregation. Due to the efforts of several Kol Haverim founding members, the ark has been handed down, just as the Torahs it embraces and protects, from generation to generation. L’Dor V’Dor.

The History of the Ark

Honorable MENSCHen

A special thank you to……

Claire and John Casey for their years of gracious support in our decision to raise our children in the Jewish faith, rather than in their familiar Christian faith.

All of our family and friends who have taken time from their busy lives to travel from near and far, adding extra love and joy to today’s service.

Rabbi Craig Marantz for his wisdom, patience, guidance and friend-ship while leading Adam and our family through this sacred process.

Tami Cherdack, Scott Cope and Laura Bennett for sharing the beauty of their music and enhancing the warmth and spirituality of our service today.

Charri Goldman, Adam’s Torah and Haftorah tutor, for her devotion and knowledge of Hebrew prayer, along with her incredible ability to always find a way to provide a positive weekly report on our son’s progress.

Hannah Garfinkle, Adam’s prayer tutor, for her time and encourage-ment while making learning the prayers “fun.”

Nancy Goldstein for her creative energy, brainstorming expertise, calming manner during times of panic and most importantly for her years of friendship.

All of our family and friends who honored us with their participation on the Bimah; you have each brought added joy to this occasion and our lives.

Geri Denyer for saving me with her many hours of graphic talent, technological knowledge and reassuring manner.

Charri and Josh Goldman for so skillfully performing the sacred duty of Gabbai (witness of the Torah readings).

Melissa Somosky for everything that has to do with friendship and rocking on porches.

Our ushers Greg Castanza, Alan Paperny and Steve Scarangelia for welcoming and guiding all of our dear guests today.

Lastly, to our sweet Jade who dealt with being “put on the back burner” these past few weeks better than many adults would have done.

PEACE, JOY AND LOVE TO ALL.

It is with great pride that we welcome you, our family and friends to Congregation Kol Haverim, “The Voice of Friends”. We are delighted that you are here to celebrate this special occasion that acknowledges Adam’s spiritual coming of age. Today’s service is a formal recognition of Adam’s transition to adult Jewish life. This Jewish rite of passage recognizes a transition from one stage of life to another. This is not so much an event of completion, but rather the beginning of a lifelong process of embracing ritual, tradition and community. This morning, Adam will have the honor of reading publicly from the Torah (the five books of the Bible, hand-written on a parchment scroll) for the first time. This identical Torah portion is being read today in every Jewish congregation throughout the world, thus linking him to all Jewish people, regardless of where they live. When the Torah is taken from the ark, it will be passed “L’Dor Vador”, meaning generation to generation, which symbolizes the continuation of our religious and cultural heritage from one generation to the next. Before and after the Torah is read, it will be carried through the congregation so that anyone who wishes may touch the covering as a sign of respect for the wisdom and guidance of the Torah’s teachings. Family and friends will be honored throughout the service. They will participate in various parts of the ceremony by opening and closing the Ark, dressing the Torah, reading a passage, reciting an Aliyah, or reading from the Torah. It will be Adam’s honor to recite the last Torah reading called the Maftir. Finally, Adam will chant his “Haftorah” where the story of the Jewish people and their values is further told. Thank you for honoring us by being here today to witness and celebrate this milestone with our family and our community. Please join us for a Kiddush luncheon immediately following the service.

Shabbat Shalom

Julie, Rick, Adam & Jade

In Memoriam

On this happy day, we lovingly remember those who are dearly missed, but are with us in spirit.

We remember Adam’s great grandparents Max & Sonia Karp, Abraham

& Rebecca Kaplan, Leon & Eugenie Fallot and Louis & Mary Casey.

We also remember dear relatives Marianne Casey, Robert Allen, Mark

Allen, Carl Clair, Michael Dougherty, Katie Dougherty, Merle Black,

Charles Gifford, Bill Kaplan, Dorothy Kaplan, Eileen Kaplan, Ida

Kaplan, Jules Karp, Jack Mandell, Lenny Odess, Eleanor Johnson, Tova

Gabriel, Anita Treston and Koby Mandell.

They will always live in our hearts.

Adam Maxwell is named after his great grandfather Max Karp and his

great uncle Robert Ashton Allen. Adam has been blessed with the

humor, strength and loving kindness of these very special men.

- author unknown

“Those we love who have gone from life, We know they will never vanish,

So long as heart and thought remain with us. By love they are remembered.

In memory they live.

Aliyah - (“Going Up”) - the honor of being called to the Torah (plural: Aliyot). Several family members and friends will have this honor today, reciting the special prayers that precede and follow the reading of each of the sections of Adam’s Torah portion.

Bar - the Hebrew word for “son”.

Bimah - the pulpit; the raised platform in our synagogue where the service is conducted.

Haftarah - certain Biblical sections that are read after the Torah portion on Shabbat and Festival mornings. These readings, which come from the books of the Prophets, are connected to the Torah portion by either a keyword or a theme.

Kiddush - A prayer recited over wine sanctifying Shabbat or a holiday.

Kipah (Yarmulke) - the head covering worn during prayer and study as a sign of reverence.

Mitzvah - often understood as “good deed”, carries with it a stronger sense: literally, a commandment from God. Therefore, when Jews perform deeds of love and righteousness, it is not only because they are good but also because God commands us to do them.

Motzi - the blessing over the challah (bread).

Shabbat (Sabbath) - the last day of the week. A time of study and reflection cherished as a period for family togetherness, spiritual reflection and personal renewal. Our Sabbath extends from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.

Shalom - Hebrew for “hello,” “goodbye,” and “peace.”

Siddur - the prayer book used by our congregation. Since Hebrew is read from right to left, the sequence of pages is the opposite of that found in English text.

Tallit - the fringed prayer shawl worn by Jewish people who have reached thirteen years of age. It is worn during morning prayers and Torah services. The fringes on the four corners represent each of the 613 commandments.

Torah - which means “teaching” are the five first books of the Bible, also known as the ‘Five Books of Moses’: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Torah Service - consists of three parts: removing the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) from the Ark, study of the week’s Torah portion, and returning the Torah to the Ark. Following the Torah service, a corresponding selection from the Haftarah (Book of Prophets) is read.

Tzedakah - the Hebrew term for “righteousness”, a theme often employed when Jews involve themselves in works of charity and “Tikkun Olam”, repairing our world.

Terms from Today’s Service In order for you to more fully understand and enjoy the service, here is a brief “glossary” of some of our phrases and customs:

Closing Prayers

The closing prayers include songs of praise to God, and a Mourner’s Kaddish, which serves to memorialize those departed from us. The service concludes with the Kiddush and Motzi, the blessings over the wine and bread.

Aleinu p. 282

Rabbi’s Blessing Rabbi Craig Marantz

Parents’ Blessings Julie and Rick Kaplan

Congregational Presentation Charri Goldman

Class Presentation Lauren Kesten

Mourner’s Kaddish p. 294

Adon Olam Scott Cope and Tami Cherdack

Adon Olam, asher malach, beterem kol yetsir nivra, le-eit na-a-sa ve-chef-tso kol, azai melech shemo nikra. Ve-acha-rei ki-che-lot ha-kol, levado yimloch nora, ve-hu haya, ve-hu hoveh, ve-hu y’hiyeh be-tifara. Ve-hu echad, v’ein shei-nee l’hamshil lo, l’chach-bee-rah, beli rei-sheet, beli tach-lit, velo ha-oz ve-hamisra. Vehu eili, ve-chai go-ali, ve-tzur chevli be-eit tsa-ra, ve-hu nisi u-manos li, menat kosi be-yom eh-kra. Be-yado afkid ru-chee be-eit ishan ve-ah-ira, ve-eem ru-chee g’vee-yati: Adonai li, ve-lo ee-rah.

Kiddush and Motzi Julie, Rick, Adam and Jade Kaplan

Service

Rabbi’s welcome Rabbi Craig Marantz

Opening Hymn - Lechi Lach (composed by Debbie Friedman) L’chi lach to a land that I will show you L’ch l’cha to a place you do not know L’chi lach on your journey I will bless you And you shall be a blessing, you shall be a blessing You shall be a blessing lechi lach L’chi lach and I shall make your name great L’ch l’cha and all shall praise your name L’chi lach to the place that I will show you L’simhat hayim, L’simhat hayim L’simhat hayim lechi lach. And you shall be a blessing, you shall be a blessing You shall be a blessing l’chi lach.

Presentation of Tallit The tallit is the traditional Jewish prayer shawl. In the Book of Numbers, God spoke to Moses about attaching fringes to the Jews’ traditional four-cornered garments as a reminder to the wearer to observe all the commandments in the Torah and that God exists all around us. Since such clothing is no longer worn, Jews today wear a tallit during daytime worship services. It is customary to give a tallit on the occasion of a Bar Mitzvah to symbolize the young person’s entry into the Jewish community as an adult.

Presentation of Tallit

Adam’s paternal grandparents, Samuel and Fay Kaplan, will hand the tallit that Adam will wear in today’s service to Rick, as they did when Rick made his Bar Mitzvah at age 13. Today, in the spirit of L’Dor Vador (from generation to generation), Rick will pass his tallit to Adam.

Recalling the generations, I wrap myself in tallit. May my mind be clear, My spirit open, As I envelope myself in prayer.

Torah and Haftarah Commentary Adam Kaplan

Haftarah Reading Adam Kaplan

Shomreem (Ark Closers) (cousins)

Jade Kaplan, Marcy and Leah Cohen

Hagbah and G’lilah Nancy and Michael Goldstein

The lifting and dressing of the Torah.

Mi Shebeyrach - For Healing p. 253

This prayer for healing calls on our congregation to send our collective prayers to those who are ill and require strength.

Mi Sheyberach avoteinu M’kor hab’rachah l’imoteinu.

May the source of strength who blessed the ones before us help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing and let us say, Amen.

Mi Sheyberach imoteinu M’kor hab’rachah laavoteinu.

Bless those in need of healing with r’fuah sh’leimah, the renewal of body, the renewal of spirit, and let us say, Amen.

Scott Cope (cousin)

Aliyah

Melissa and Katie Somosky Michael, Lori and Brandon Shore Sam, Fay and Susan Kaplan Christine and Allan Cohen Rick and Julie Kaplan Maftir Adam Kaplan

Torah Reader

Carol Fishman Debra Glass

Jason Goldstein Jacob Durkin Adam Kaplan

Adam Kaplan

Mi Shebeyrach - For Aliyah p. 252

Rabbi Craig Marantz

Modeh Ani p. 170

This prayer expresses gratitude to God for the gift of a new day.

Mah Tovu p. 172

A welcoming prayer that helps us to appreciate our surroundings and turn an ordinary place into a place of prayer and closeness with God.

L’Dor Vador - From Generation to Generation

Passing the Torah Claire and John Casey Fay and Sam Kaplan

Julie and Rick Kaplan Adam Kaplan

Romemu

Romemu Adonai elohenu, vi hish tachavu l’char kodsho (2) Ki, Ki, Ki kadosh, Adonai elohenu romemu (2)

Personal Prayer Adam Kaplan

Shomreem (Ark Openers) Jade Kaplan, Marcy and Leah Cohen (cousins)

Torah Service

On Gathering in a Sanctuary

A sanctuary is a place of refuge; We seek to escape from the everyday And find something out of the ordinary.

We cannot expect to leave the sanctuary a different person, But if we leave it without some new insight, Thought or question, we have not used the sanctuary to its best potential.

We enter the sanctuary as individuals, But we come together as a group; We pray each prayer in our own way, But we do so as a congregation.

We leave the sanctuary with our own conclusions, But we come to those conclusions through shared experience. And for what shall we pray? Let us ask that we be cheerful, kind and friendly;

That we seek the good in all, the hatred in none; That we try never to criticize, make no promises we cannot keep; That we be loyal to our community, our family and our friends; That we be calm in times of trouble, think before we speak,

Hold onto our temper when things go wrong; And every day by word or deed, in some unselfish way, May we try to make someone happy. And may the Almighty help us see our prayers answered.

A Special Reading: Ellen Metzger and Marci Shipman (family friends)

(aunt) Beth Burgess

Dear God, we pray for peace in our lifetime, The peace that comes when nations stop fighting nations, The peace that comes when strangers don’t hate strangers based on their religion or the color of their skin. We pray for peace of mind, Knowing that our children will grow up in a world that is safe and caring, on a planet that is nurtured, not abused. We pray for peace in our hearts, That we may feel Your love through our connection to our community, our family and our friends, Blessed are You, O God, the Eternal Source of peace.

Oseh Shalom

Scott Cope (cousin) and Tami Cherdack

p. 242

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu yaaseh shalom aleinu, v’al kol Yisrael, v’al kol yosh’vei teiveil, v’imru. Amen.

May the one who makes peace in the high heavens make peace for us, all Israel and all who inhabit the earth. Amen.

Prayer for Peace

Morning Blessings

These blessings help us think about the many blessings God has given us and how lucky we are to be starting a new day.

p. 173 - 180

Elohai

Baruch She-amar p. 183

Ashrei and Hallelujah

This prayer praises God with every Hebrew letter in the alphabet.

p. 185 - 188

BARUCH she-amar v’hayah haolam, Baruch hu. Baruch oseh v’reishit, baruch omeir v’oseh, baruch gozeir um’kayeim, baruch m’racheim al haaretz, baruch m’racheim al hab’riut, baruch m’shaleim sachar tov lirei-av. Baruch chai laad v’kayam lanetzach. Baruch podeh umatzil, baruch sh’mo. Bish’vachot uviz’mirot n’gadelcha un’shabeichacha un’fa-ercha v’nazkir shimcha v’namlich’cha, Malkeinu Eloheinu. Yachid, chei haolamim, Melech m’shubach um’fo-ar, adei ad sh’mo hagadol. Baruch atah, Adonai, Melech m’hulal batishbachot.

Sim shalom, Tovah uv’racha chen vachesed v’rachamim, v’rachamim Alenu, V’al kol yisrael, v’al kol yisrael Amecha

Barchenu avinu kulanu kiechad, b’or panecha Ki v’or panecha n’tatah lanu, Adonai eloheynu


Torat hayim v’achavat hesed, v’achavat hesed Utzadaka, U’vracha V’rachamim, v’hayim v’shalom


V’tov B’einecha livarech et amecha yisrael B’chol et Uv’chol sha-ah bishlomecha.


Sim Shalom p. 216

We Pray Silently p. 217 – 219

p. 174

Song: Y’hiyu L’ Ratzon

I stand before this congregation, and I pray to you O God; May my deeds reflect your teachings, and Torah light my way.

Grant me understanding and make my life a Blessing.

Y’hiyu L’ratzon, Imre fi. Vihegyon Libi. Lifanecha, Adonai, Tzuri V’goali.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, Be acceptable to You, O God, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Lo Yisa Goi Rabbi Craig Marantz

Lo yisa goiel goi cherev. Lo yilm’du od milchamah (Repeat) Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend, We’ll walk together in the land of HaShem.

A prayer asking God to create peace throughout the world.

Morning Service

Reader’s Kaddish

This prayer begins the formal morning service.

p. 194

Please Rise

The Sh’ma and its Blessings

Barchu and Yotzer

p. 195

The morning service is opened with a call to prayer as a community. The Yotzer affirms that God creates and recreates the world every day.

Sh’ma and V’a-havta

The Sh’ma is the central prayer in Judaism. It affirms the belief in one God. The V’a-havta is part of the Sh’ma. It declares the unity in all parts of Judaism – the notion of love and ethical conduct, belief in education and the importance of ritual.

p. 200 – 201

Inspirational Song: Listen

If you are lost, you feel afraid And you don’t know what to say

Then listen, listen to our God

If there is a question on your mind; Is the answer hard to find

Then listen, listen to our God

Listen with all your heart and soul And with all your might

Write them and learn them And teach them well

Every morning and night So close your eyes and listen

Quiet yourself, there is nothing to say Stop all the chatter that gets in the way

And listen, listen to our God

When the wind and thunder finally disappear There’s still a voice that you will hear,

If you listen, listen to our God

You can hear it from the top of the highest hill or from the valley below.

It can come from the edge of the universe It can come from within your soul.

So close your eyes and listen.

Sh’ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad Baruch shem kavod, shem kavod, mal’chuto l’olam va-ed.

Listen, listen to our God. Listen, listen to our God.

Mi Chamocha and Tzur Yisrael p. 204

This song was sung by the Israelites when they were delivered from slavery in Egypt. It reminds us that there are still many people in this world who suffer the large and small indignities of prejudice daily, people who are still enslaved by the color of their skin, their religion, their political beliefs, or where they were born.

Amidah and Private Prayer

The Amidah, which is at the core of the Jewish worship service, is a time for meditation and contemplation. Amidah means “standing.” The prayer is called this because it reflects our having stopped to stand in the presence of God. Traditionally, the Amidah involves standing and, either silently or in a very low voice, reading several pages of blessings and prayers. In our service, the Amidah begins with the congregation chanting in praise of God, and ends with silent prayer; a moment for private meditation and contemplation.

Please Rise

Tefilah

Adonai, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.

Avot, Gevurot, and Kedusha p. 206 – 209

The Avot reminds us that we and all generations of the Jewish people are connected to God in a covenant that lives on.

The Gevurot addresses our souls, and because we have souls we are endowed with eternal worth and eternal hope.

The Kedusha speaks to the belief that the whole of the earth is full of God’s glory and that our God is the God of all generations of Jews.

Silent Amidah p. 210 – 215

Please remain standing and read to page 215. Then you may be seated.

All are seated

MI CHAMOCHAH ba-eilim, Adonai! Mi kamochah nedar bakodesh, Nora t’hilot, oseih fele!

Shirah chadashah shib’chu g’ulim l’shimcha al s’fat hayam. Yachad kulam hodu v’himlichu v’amru: Adonai yimloch l’olam va-ed.

Tzur Yisrael, kumah b’ezrat Yisrael uf’deih chinumecha Y’hudah v’Yisrael. Go-aleinu Adonai Tz’vaot sh’mo, k’dosh Yisrael. Baruch atah, Adonai, gaal Yisrael.

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