Friday Night Liturgy is the first class in our adult b’nai mitzvah curriculum. You’ll learn the history and meaning behind the special psalms, poems and prayers in the Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services. You’ll also be given several melodies for each prayer that we usually do here at B’nai Havurah. Students who also participate in the skills workshop following each class will be given an opportunity to help lead a Friday night service.

Prerequisites: Although there is no absolute requirement of Hebrew fluency in order to participate in the class, students will get the most out of the class if they have some facility with Hebrew.

Books: We will be using the Reconstructionist siddur, Kol haNeshamah, so all texts studied will be available in English, Hebrew, and transliteration. Students may wish to purchase their own copy of the siddur (available in

the office) so they can keep notes in the margins. The class will also reference My People’s Prayer Book, Vol.8, Kabbalat Shabbat: Welcoming Shabbat in the Synagogue.

Class 1: Introduction to Friday night prayers, including the blessings done at home: candle- lighting, Shalom Aleichem, Kiddush, blessing of the children, Motzi and Birkat haMazon (blessing after the meal)

Class 2: Yedid Nefesh – the soul’s love song to God; Shabbat haMalkah, by Hayim Nahman Bialik, and an excerpt from King Solomon’s Shir haShirim (Song of Songs)

Class 3: Liturgy from the Kabbalists of Tzfat, Psalms 95 (L’chu N’ranenah), 96 (Shiru l’Adonai Shir Hadash), 97 (including Or Zarua LaTzadik), 98, 99 (including Romemu) and 29 (Mizmor l’David)

Class 4: Poems: L’cha Dodi and Ana b’Koach; Psalms 92 (Mizmor Shir l’Yom haShabbat) and 93; Hatzi Kaddish

Class  5:  Introduction to Ma’ariv; Barchu, Ma’ariv Aravim, Ahavat  Olam

Class 6: Sh’ma, V’ahavta

Class 7:  Mi Chamocha, Hashkiveinu, V’shamru

Class 8: VaYachulu haShamayim, Magein Avot (summarizing the Shabbat   Amidah)