Torah Readers Community
Whether you can’t yet read Hebrew, have never read Torah before or you are an avid Torah reader, the Torah Readers Community (TRC) is for everyone! TRC is a program approach to learning and engaging with reading Torah.
The TRC program starts with a brief survey of where you are today and what your short and long term goals are. TRC offers a range of classes through the HNT Adult Education program including all levels of reading, practice sessions with the Torah, mentors and even a graduation to the next level – plus a community to support you all along the way.
The Torah Readers Sign-up Brunch is a chance to meet with other Torah Readers, Torah Mentors and the Torah Readers Community three times a year to connect, have a nosh, ask questions and help build the community. Talk through selecting a reading and getting on WebParsha, and meet others who are reading or learning to read Torah. Please see the calendar for the next upcoming Torah Readers Sign-up Brunch.
Holy Rollers
Our Torah scrolls need some of your attention – no prior experience necessary! It’s fun, easy to do and we provide all the tools and training you need. A Torah scroll should last hundreds, if not thousands of years, however regular maintenance and cleaning is needed to keep scrolls in usable condition. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to assist in the cleaning and maintenance of the Herzl-Ner Tamid Torah scrolls four times a year. Open to 13+ years old or supervised by parents.
Why become a Holy Roller?
- A “Holy Roller” can be any congregant… seniors, families or post B’nai Mitzvah students.
- The Holy Rollers Club provides an opportunity for people to practically participate and contribute in a most exciting and uplifting way.
- It’s an excellent way to keep post B’nai Mitzvah youth involved, or an opportunity to bring youngsters together with their elders for Jewish activities.
- Meet regularly, to roll Torahs 6-10 sections, slowly, properly, carefully while looking inside.
- Learn what to look for, be shocked at what you see, ask questions concerning what you see and don’t yet understand.
- Properly rolling Torahs can lengthen their life and maintain or improve the quality of the scrolls.
- Learn the ways to correctly: roll a Torah, kiss the scroll for an aliyah, use the Yad (pointer), lift the Torah and what are the serious consequences from not handling scrolls properly.
- Learn to identify the first signs of problems, how to mark them or and how to send us a digital pictures to evaluate.
- Learn to actually clean and sew your Sefer Torah (including how to repair tears) and learn when not to clean or sew.
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Gabbai Program
Off-Bima Gabbai
The Off-Bima Gabbai, also known as the Honors Liaison, is like the choreographer and stage manager. S/he is responsible for assigning aliyot and for assuring that the service goes smoothly from the perspective of protocol and decorum. It is the gabbai that congregants look to when they have a question or a concern during the service.
The gabbai is the shul’s chief ambassador at Shabbat services, and by being warm and friendly, the gabbai reflects the image and philosophy of the shul as being a place of worship where everyone is welcome. This is particularly significant for guests or new members at the synagogue who are there for the first time.
On-Bima Gabbai
The On-Bima Gabbai, also known as the Gabbai Correct, is the stage manager for the Torahs and service on the bima. They help everyone feel comfortable once they are on the bima for their honor, as well help the Torah Readers with any pronunciation corrections needed during their Torah Reading. In addition, they have to know where to stand when taking out the Torah, Opening the Ark and for Hagbah (lifting) and Gallilah (Tying) the Torah.
We have a training program, mentors and lots of help if you are interested in helping occasionally or regularly for either On or Off Bima Gabbai.