2nd HELENA 12 POINT final GAR

BatMitzvah of
Helena Wren Padial

June 17, 2017

Welcome!

Even if you’ve been going to synagogue your whole life, you may not
know about some of the special customs, traditions and the meaning
behind many of the prayers we say during the service. Whether you
already have a broad understanding, or are hearing
a service for the very first time, we hope you will find something in the
following explanation that will enhance the meaning of today’s service
for you.

By tradition, becoming a Bar(boy) or Bat(girl) Mitzvah is a custom when a
13 year old child becomes a Jewish adult, old enough to assume the
responsibilities of following Jewish traditions. In everyday terms, this
point in a teen’s life often marks enormous growth and maturity
reflected by several years of study and practice before this special day.

After the service, we will celebrate this rite of passage with a special
party to commemorate Helena’s mitzvah.

A few things you may notice:

Wearing a prayer shawl (Tallit):

This fringed garment, or tallit, is to remind us of the commandments, which
are symbolized by the knots in the fringes, or tzitzit. Today, Helena will share
in an ancient tradition as she wraps herself in a tallit, shared by her uncle
Gregory, for the very first time.

Wearing a head covering:

A kippah, or head covering (called a yarmulke in Yiddish), is traditionally worn
by men. Wearing a kippah is not a symbol of religious identification, but is
rather an act of respect to God. Just as men and women may be asked to
remove their hats in the church, or remove their shoes before entering a
mosque, wearing a head covering is a non- denominational act of showing
respect.

Maintaining sanctity:

Please refrain from applause and photography, and of course, turn your
cell phone SOUND off. Because of the sacred nature of the kippahs, we
do not put them on the floor.

Sitting and standing:

Jewish worship services can be very athletic, filled with frequent
directions to stand for particular prayers and sit for others. Take your cue
from the others here or the rabbi's instructions. Unlike kneeling in a
Catholic worship service--which is a unique prayer posture filled with
religious significance--standing and sitting in a Jewish service does not
constitute any affirmation of religious belief; it is merely a sign of
respect.

The Ark:

The ark is where the Torah scrolls are held and is the central object on
the bimah.

The Torah:

Today, Helena will be called to read from the Torah, the Hebrew text of
the first five Books of the Bible- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy. The Torah can be broadly defined as encompassing all of
the moral and ethical teachings of Judaism. The Torah has been divided
into 54 weekly portions. The Torah scrolls are the most precious and
holy objects in the synagogue and are inscribed by hand on parchment
by specially trained scribes. For thousands of years, the Hebrew
calligraphy used to write the Torah has been the same. Helena will read
from the Torah using a pointer, or yad, so as not to touch the parchment.

Cast List

First Aliyah - Rona & Martin Rutchik, Helena’s
grandparents

Rivka bat Luvich v’Henche & Menachem Mendel ben
Eliyahu v’Chana

Second Aliyah - Jonathan & Beth Rutchik, Gregory
Rutchik & Erin Stern, Helena’s aunts and uncles
Reuben Shia v’ Rachmiel ben Rivka v’Menachem Mendel,
Rus bat Eliezar, Batya bat Devorah v’Tzvi
Third Aliyah - Alyssa, Paul & Jamie Padial, Helena’s
parents & brother
Aliza bat Rivka v’Menachem
Fourth Aliyah/Maftir - Helena Wren Padial & all of us
here today who love & support Helena
Hadassah bat Paul v’Aliza
Hagba & Golel (Lifting & Dressing Torah) Rayna
Gittelman & Ross Basri, Helena’s cousins

Tallit Holders– T.J., Jackson and Julian Muncan, Stuart
Rutchik & Malcolm VanMeter, Helena’s uncle and
cousins

Cast List

The Rabbi, Nat Benjamin

The Cantor, Janine Schwarz

Ushers - Jackson & Julian Muncan, Rex Rutchik and
Eloise Padial, Helena’s cousins

Reading - Carolyn & Michael Padial, Helena’s aunt
& uncle
Aliyah -- The word aliyah literally translates as a
“going up” or “ascension.” During the Torah reading,
various people are called to have an aliyah, which is a
great honor. Today, in addition to Helena, who as a
Bat Mitzvah is allowed to have an aliyah for the very
first time, some of her relatives and friends have been
asked to come up for this very special honor as well.
There will be four aliyot (plural of "aliyah") today, plus
the maftir, the final Torah passage, which Helena will
chant.

Openers of the Ark - Rex Rutchik & Jamie Padial, Eloise
Silver VanMeter & Sage Basri, Jeffrey Rutchik
& Cynthia Bing Padial, Helena’s cousins, aunt & brother

Naming

Helena and her brother, Jamie, will be given their
Hebrew names today. She has chosen Hadassah after
her grandmother Gerry & great-grandmother Helen, as
well as it being the name of the daughter of her most
special nanny, Sylvia.

Jamie has chosen Chaim Yosef Eliayahu, honoring his
great grandfather Elias and his father whose
confirmation name is Joseph.

Havdalah

Havdalah will also be observed this evening, a little before
it’s intended sunset time, marking the end of Shabbat. The
Havdalah ("Separation") ceremony is a multi-sensory ritual to
define the boundaries that God set in creation "between the
sacred and the everyday.” We use all five of our senses as we
say goodbye to the Sabbath. We hear and sing song, we see
and feel the heat of a flame, we taste wine and we smell
spices.

Special Blessings

Shehecheyanu -- “Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, Ruler of
the universe who has kept us alive and sustained us, and
brought us to this moment.” The Shehecheyanu blessing is said
to offer thanks for new and/or unique experiences such as
seeing a baby’s first steps or beginning a new year at school.
This blessing is also often recited at special occasions, such as
a Bat Mitzvah!

Mishebeyrakh for those who are Ill -- This blessing asks for the
renewal of body and spirit for all those who may be in need of
such healing. The Rabbi will recite the names of those in the
congregation who are ill, or those who have friends or family
members who are ill. Afterwards, he will ask for additional
mishebeyrakhs. At that time, please feel free to offer the name
of someone you know who is ill, by saying that person’s name
aloud when the Rabbi indicates the appropriate time.

Concluding Prayers

Final prayers will include the Aleinu and the Mourner’s Kaddish.
During the Mourner’s Kaddish, those who are currently mourning
and those observing Yartzeit, the anniversary of a loved one’s
death, stand and recite a prayer.

After the traditional blessing over the wine, we will

CELEBRATE HELENA!