by Sarah Weinberg
Always wanted to lead services at the Hav, but not sure you’re quite ready? Take a look at the Service Leader’s Handbook, a guide designed by a Hav committee to walk new service leaders through the service step by step! The guide is based around an annotated edition of Siddur Birkat Shalom. Marginal notations not only give reminders of the “choreography” of the service, but also link to audio recordings of some of the melodies and nusach commonly used at the Hav, providing a step-by-step reference for practicing. The Service Leader’s Guide also includes information sheets on topics including understanding the structure of the service, adapting the service in the absence of a minyan, and teaching new melodies, among others.
If you are interested in learning more about the liturgy we use at Havurat Shalom without wanting to lead services, this guide is also for you!
The guide is intended to be a living document—we want your additions! If your favorite melody isn’t currently linked, make a recording and send it to us, and we’ll add the recording to the webpage and link to it at the appropriate place in the guide so that others can learn it. (One Hav member is already planning to create a set of more traditional nusach melody recordings to add along with a note on the musical structure of nusach, to provide an additional musical option for leaders to learn.) Take a look and let us know what you think—we’re hoping to continue to develop this guide over time, according to what new and experienced service leaders let us know would be helpful.
And after seeing the enthusiastic response to Friday evening service leading practice sessions led by Havurah member Inna, we’re hoping to hold similar sessions, using the Service Leader’s Guide as a resource, to help new and aspiring Shabbat morning service leaders practice and get comfortable! If you’re interested, please contact Sarah Weinberg (info@thehav.org) with information on your availability.
If you are interested in learning more about the liturgy we use at Havurat Shalom without wanting to lead services, this guide is also for you!
The guide is intended to be a living document—we want your additions! If your favorite melody isn’t currently linked, make a recording and send it to us, and we’ll add the recording to the webpage and link to it at the appropriate place in the guide so that others can learn it. (One Hav member is already planning to create a set of more traditional nusach melody recordings to add along with a note on the musical structure of nusach, to provide an additional musical option for leaders to learn.) Take a look and let us know what you think—we’re hoping to continue to develop this guide over time, according to what new and experienced service leaders let us know would be helpful.
And after seeing the enthusiastic response to Friday evening service leading practice sessions led by Havurah member Inna, we’re hoping to hold similar sessions, using the Service Leader’s Guide as a resource, to help new and aspiring Shabbat morning service leaders practice and get comfortable! If you’re interested, please contact Sarah Weinberg (info@thehav.org) with information on your availability.
Sarah Weinberg is a member of Havurat Shalom.