This weekend was my class’ turn to lead services. The religious school has had each class take a turn leading Friday night services since I started teaching, and this year, they have fourth grade and up lead Saturday morning services as well.
I can see the difference between my current class and my class from 2002. The rabbi and the director of education instituted a new program that year, where all the grades would learn t’filah (prayers) and shirah (religious and Jewish-culture songs). Twice a week for the past four years, my current fourth graders–less the two that just joined us from a different state–have been learning the Shabbat prayers. Between that, and our weeks of practice as the day grew closer, I saw a marked difference in the children as they stood in front of the synagogue. It’s no discredit to my first class–they did a wonderful job–but my current class had more practice. They even begged to lead the Ashrey, which I declined. It’s a prayer that used to not be broached before seventh grade. Now the sixth graders handle it easily. Last week, the fifth graders volunteered to do it in t’filah, and did a very nice job of it. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if my next year’s class, or the one after, are able to do the Ashrey at age nine.
In any case, they were confident, they were cheerful, and they were great. I warned them ahead of time that it didn’t matter what program I gave the rabbi; he always improvises and makes them stay up for more prayers than they’d intended. He did, of course, and they took it gracefully. But boy, were they glad to go when I told them to go take a break as he finally let them sit down. They were on their feet for nearly an hour.
It’s been too long since I’ve been up in front of the congregation myself. I stumbled on my aliya, and blanked on the tune for a moment. My students never noticed.
I guess it’s time to start practicing for my Bat Mitvah. November 2007 will be here before I know it. My Torah portion is Chayyei Sarah, as I’m sure some of you will be asking. I’ll be having my Bat Mitzvah the same year as my second class. There were only five that year, though they’ve got two more students since then. The kids are already asking me about the big party I’ll be throwing. They all assume I’m inviting all of my former students.
Oy. I’d better start saving for it too, hm?
Let me know if you want a CD with all of the readings for Chayyei Sarah. I’ll be happy to make one for you.
Wow. Kol ha-kavod, Meryl.
Elisson … I’d love to hear you read.
Have ’em lead Anim Z’miros. That’ll teach ’em some humility.
Good luck with your parsha. If you are as disciplined in your study as you are in maintaining your blog, you will do yourself and the whole Yourish family proud. Kol Hakavod.
chsw
Mazel Tov and start shopping now for that discount chopped liver Elvis statue.
There are a few good sites I’ve found that have MP3 files to practice both Torah leyning and Haftorah [our adult BM class insists on teaching trop but audio reinforcement never hurts]. Let me know…
Mazel Tov (in advance) for your Bat Mitzvah. At least your students won’t demand wine at the party.
My mother’s cousin was married to a Catholic. At my Bar Mitzvah he could see she was very nervous, so he whispered to her “Should I genuflect?” My mother practically burst into laughter right there in shul.