TOUR0 SYNAGOGUE

CONF IRMRTION SERVICE S H RVUOT 200615766

"The Restoration Confirmation"

A Shavuot Service

Presented by the Class of 200615766

Touro Synagogue

June 1,2006 6 Sivan 5766

Rabbi Andrew Busch Cantor Seth Warner

Eileen Hamilton, Director of Education

Aaron Jules Blackwell Son of Cecilia Sogin and Kent Blackwell

Ofir Esther Caspi Daughter of Tali and Joseph Caspi

Roger Clark Cottrell Son of Debra J. Fischrnan

Jacob Alexander Ginsberg Son of Susan and Harley Ginsberg

Michael Bernard Harris Son of Ann and Steve Harris

Zachary David Hunter Son of Teri and Jonathan Hunter

Benjamin Alan Long Son of Susan Krinsky and Hugh Long

Sophie Ruth Oreck Daughter of Julie and Marshall Oreck

Rawlin John Redfield Son of Elisa Redfield and Thomas Lee Redfield

Jacob Walker Roy Son of Barbara and Jacques Roy

Jeremy Lester Schwab Son of Sue Tart and Tom Schwab

Arielle Beth Schwartz Daughter of Roselyn Koretzky and Barry Schwartz

Ruth Kullman, President Touro Synagogue

Eileen A. Hamilton, Director of Education Touro Synagogue

Nancy Willis, Chair Religious School Committee

June Leopold, President Touro Synagogue Sisterhood

Martin Goldstein, President Touro Synagogue Brotherhood

Zoe Oreck, President ToSTY

. .3! >>gq nnW3g $3 May everything that has breath praise God. Hallelujah.

May these Shavuot candles and Kiddush wine open our eyes to the joys in life. We are blessed with so much: food enough to sustain us, beauty that delights the eye, the freedom to be ourselves, the knowledge of Torah that shapes our moral being, and the heritage of celebration that unites us as a people.

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Blessed are You Eternal o w God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with Mitzvot and commanded us to kindle the lights of this Festival.

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Blessed are You Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Blessed are You Eternal Our God, Ruler of the universe, who has chosen us from all the peoples, exalting us by hallowing us with God's Mitzvot. In Your love, 0 Eternal o w God, You have given us feasts of gladness and seasons of joy this Shavuot - the time of the giving of the Torah, to unite in worship and recall the Exodus from Egypt. For you have chosen us from all peoples, consecrating us to Your senrice and giving us the Festivals, a time of gladness and joy. Blessed are You 0 Eternal, who hallows the House of Israel and the Festivals.

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Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech haOlam she-hecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu lazman hazeh.

Praised are You 0 God, Ruler of the universe Who has kept us in life, sustained us and permitted us to reach this season.

JACOB ROY

Being a member of Touro Synagogue means a lot to me. I started going to Religious School when I was in the fourth grade. Since then I gathered a substantial knowledge of Jewish history and began training for my Bar Mitzvah. I met with the cantor, the rabbi and was finally ready for the day I became a man. After all, becoming a man is traditionally how we describe celebrating a Bar Mitzvah.

A few years later now, it became time for me to be confirmed. I was always anticipating this event, mostly because it sigrufied the end of Religious School. Now I realize that Confirmation means much more than a ending of anything. As we are confirmed today, we know that our involvement in Touro and in learning about Judaism will continue. There is no ending to that process. Also, I am proud to say that when I get older and have a family, I will be a member of Touro. I look forward to the day when my children celebrate their B'nei Mitzvah and Confirmation.

OFIR CASPI

When I first heard the news that a hurricane was going to hit New Orleans, I didn't think much except for: wow, another hurricane, whatever, but much to my surprise this one was going to be big and life changing. The weird thing was that this hurricane experience was a very Jewish one, and made me a more Jewish person myself.

When we first arrived in Houston last fall, we were very fortunate to have Israeli friends host us in their home. We ended up staying at their house for a month. There was not one time when any of their family members complained or even seem to be frustrated with having six extra people in their house. The other Israeli families in Houston were also very willing to help us, and not just in the way where we sit around a fireplace and describe our feelings. They got us to somehow forget about our troubles and look at the bright side of life. They entertained us and, more importantly, included us in their everyday life. We ended up connecting with the whole Jewish community, from the various families we met, to the synagogue that we attended there, to the school where we went.

As time flew by, I realized that my experience in Houston was a Jewish one. The reason for this was because for most of the time while I was in Houston I was around Jewish people. I realized how special we all are and how our culture is different from other cultures. I observed how such a large Jewish community could be so special and so bonded. These characteristics made me feel so proud to be Jewish.

When I got back to New Orleans, I didn't want that feeling to end. I decided to be more active in the Jewish community. I became a soferet in Religious School, joined BBYO, and became more involved in all the various Jewish activities around the city. This involvement has become a wonderful part of my life. To sum it all

up, if it wasn't for my Jewish culture, the hurricane experience would have been much harder than it was.

These are the obligations without measure, whose reward, too, is without measure:

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And the study of Torah leads to them all.

ROGER COTTRELL

When I think about being Jewish, the first thing that actually comes to mind is family. The two go hand in hand, like lox and cream cheese. You can observe any and every Jewish holiday, but I believe the best way to celebrate them is with family. Traditions in Judaism are not only shaped by our laws. Traditions are created by our families, too. Sure when I talk about Rosh Hashanah, I know we go to the synagogue. I know we hear the shofar. We wear suits. However, what I remember about Rosh Hashanah is not necessarily the sermon. Sorry Rabbi. What I remember is the way my grandmother's table looks every New Year and what is on it: the apples and honey just for the kids ... She makes sure that no matter how old we get, we start our New Year off sweet. If I talk about Chanukah, it isn't lighting candles that comes to mind, but the vision of my mother frying Latkes ... so many latkes, every year, and waiting until all our plates are full before she sits down and has some herself. I can close my eyes and go through my former home and that of my grandmother's, now both destroyed by Katrina. I can march through each room, and hear the sounds, see the sights, and revisit all of the smells of our holidays and other Jewish events such as celebrating my Bar Mitzvah and Friday night Kiddush with my grandfather, Papa.

What my family has taught me about being Jewish is the importance of remembering and honoring our people, where we came from, and who we are today. I have learned that no matter what adversities we encounter we shouldn't forget those things. My family has taught me that as we honor our faith and traditions, we also honor each other.

ZACHARY HUNTER

What do we confirm this evening? We confirm our belief in God and Judaism and our commitment to Touro Synagogue. However, our confirmation is among those things impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The storm changed my life as a Jew and as a member of this synagogue, my synagogue. This past Rosh Hashanah, I found myself at a Rosh Hashanah service, grateful to be able to welcome the Jewish New Year. As in every Rosh Hashanah service, we included prayers and acknowledgements to one another and to God about a New Year's beginning and clean slate. That newness will never be more evident to me as it was this year, as I stepped into a new synagogue, Temple Shalom in Lafayette, Louisiana. I fancy myself as pretty easy-going and able to adapt to situations without much resistance. So far this had held true in Lafayette. However at Rosh Hashanah, when I looked around, opened the prayer book, and adjusted to a different chanting of the Sh'ma, I finally missed home.

I am not quite sure why. Perhaps it was because of the horrible images portrayed of our city on the news. A quiet sense of embarrassment had loomed over my head during the first month after Katrina. It was hard for me to feel proud of living in New Orleans, so somehow it was hard for me to miss it. I had been comparing all of New Orleans' shortcomings to living in Lafayette. I nodded my head as people around me, even people from New Orleans, talked about how New Orleans was not quite the place we hoped it was. But on Rosh Hashanah, I finally found something in New Orleans that nothing in Lafayette or anywhere else could hold a candle to: Touro Synagogue, Rabbi Goldstein, and my New Orleans Jewish upbringing. Finally, this feeling of pride in my home allowed me to miss it. The first things that brought this pride were my Jewish friends, my synagogue, and my rabbi and cantor. These feeling helped me think more clearly about New Orleans as a whole. Tonight, I confirm the knowledge

that, come what may, my Judaism and my synagogue will be there for me.

Yit-ga-dal v'yit-ka-dash sh'-mei ra-ba. B'-al-ma di v'ra chir-u-tei, v'-yam-Iich mal-chu-tei b'-cha-yei-chon uv'-yo-mei-chon uv'-cha-yei d'-chol beit yis-ra-el. Ba'-a-ga-la u'-viz-man ka-riv v'-im-ru: A-mein. Y'-hei shl-mei ra-ba m'-vo-rach 1'-o-lam u1'-al-mei al-ma-ya. Yit-ba-rach v'-yish-ta-bach, v'-yit-par-ar v'-yit-ro-mum v'-yit-nu-sei v'-yit-ha-dar v'- yit-a-leh v'-yit-ha-la1 shf-mei d'-kud-sha b'-rich hu. LJ-ei-la min kol bir-cha-ta v'-shi-rata, tush-b'-cha-ta v'-ne-che-ma-ta, dal-ami-ran b'-al-ma v'-im-ru: Amein.

Let the glory of God be extolled, let God's great name be hallowed i n the world whose creation God willed. May God's sovereignty soon prevail, in ou r own day, our own lives, and the life of all Israel, and let u s say: Amen. Let God's great name be blessed for ever and ever. Let the name of the Holy One, blessed be God, be glorified, exalted and honored, though God is beyond all praises, songs, and adorations that w e can utter, and let u s say: Amen.

astounded. Never met a Jew before? That's when it occurred to me how few Jews there really are in this region. After a few weeks at the school, everyone had gotten used to my somewhat offbeat personality. Then, my new friends starting calling me by a nickname-"The Notorious J.E.W." This name mixed my personality with my religious affiliation, a rather new one in the small town of Reserve. As the semester went on, people got used to the idea. Then, I left, and people there are still telling me how much they miss their favorite Jew.

JEREMY SCHWAB

What does Judaism mean to me at this point in my life? The first step to finding the answer to this question is to define what Judaism is to me as a whole. Judaism's relevance at any given point in life is connected to one's general understanding of Judaism. Judaism is to me a religion of choice. Judaism to me is a religion of doing good things for the sake of doing good, not for a reward later. Judaism to me is a religion of the present, a religion where you exist here and now. Our communal heritage is one that is a religion of the individual.

Now, what does this more clearly defined concept of Judaism mean to me at this point of my life? As I am writing this, I am 16 years old. This age is a time of change and maturity. Judaism allows a great deal of freedom and individuality within one's religious identity and practice. This openness means that I can choose my path through Judaism and my path as a person in the world. Judaism means that, as an ascending adult, I am at a point in time where my choices matter all the more in both religion and life. Judaism allows me to practice and experience choices, freedom, and individuality in an almost practice medium before I am set free into the world. Confirmation is a step forward in two senses. Confirmation is both a religious graduation and a progression in social maturity.

14

Judaism means to me that this point in my life that I can pray, live, and think how I choose if I truly want to. The ability to continue make these choices will be part of my entire Jewish life. Individually.

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Great is Your love for Your people, the House of Israel! You have taught us Torah and Mitzvot, laws and precepts. Therefore Eternal our God, when we lie down and when we rise up we will meditate on Your law. W e will think of them day and night for they are the life and the length of our days. Your love will never leavefiom our hearts. Praised are You Eternal, Lover of lsrael.

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Hear, 0 Israel: the Eternal is our God, the Eternal God alone!

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Blessed is God's glorious Majesty for ever and ever.

V'-a-hav-ta eit A-do-nai e-lo-he-cha b'-chol 1'-vav'-cha uv'-chol naf-shl-cha uv'-chol m'-o-de-cha. V-ha-yu ha-dl-va-rim ha-ei-leh, a-sher A-no-chi m'-tza-v'-cha ha-yom, a1 1'-va-ve-cha. V'-shi-nan-tam 1'-va-ne-cha v'-di-bar-ta bum bf-shiv-tf-cha b'-vei-te-cha uv'-lech-t'-cha va-de-rech, uv'-shoch-b'-cha uvf-ku-me-cha. Uk-shar-tam 1'-of a1 ya-de-cha v'-ha-yu 1'-tot-a-fot bein ei-ne-cha. Uch-tau-tam a1 m'-zu-zot bei-te-cha u-vish-a-re-cha.

L1-ma-an tiZ-k-ru va-a-si-tern et kol mitz-vo-tai, vi-h'-yi-tern k'-do-shim lei-lo-hei-chem. A-ni A-do-nai e-lo-hei-chem, a-sher ho-tzei-ti et-chem mei-e-retz Mitz-ra-yim li-h'-yot la-chem lei-lo-him, A-ni A-do-nai e-lo-hei-chem.

You shall love the Eternal your God with all your mind, with all your strength, with all your being. Set these words, which I command you this day, upon your heart. Teach them faithfully to your children; speak of them in your home and on your way, when you lie down and when you rise up. Bind them as a sign upon your hand; let them be a symbol before your eyes; inscribe them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates. Be mindful of all My mitzvot and do them: so shall you consecrate yourselves to your God. I, the Lord, am your God who led you out of Egypt to be your God; I, the Lord am your God.

ARIELLE SCHWARTZ

Judaism has always been stressed in my family. As I have grown up, I have learned to strongly identify myself with my religion and our past. This identification allows for the importance of Judaism in my everyday life. Every year on the High Holy Days, my family and I have not only come to Touro for services, we have also joined my grandmother's congregation Anshe Sfard to pray. Going to both Orthodox and Reform services helped me understand the importance of the language and traditions of our people. I knew I wanted to continue my Jewish life and learning. This led to my desire to attend Religious School. Unfortunately, Religious School comes with having to wake up early on Sunday mornings. After all these years, I think that it was worth those few lost hours of sleep. I know that without my family and my religious education, I would not follow Judaism as I do now. All of these things combined over my life, so far, have made me love my religion and made me proud to be a Jew.

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All this we hold to be true and sure: You alone are God; there is none else, and we are Israel Your people. You are our Sovereign: You deliver us from the hand of oppressors, and save us from the fist of tyrants. You do wonders without number, marvels that pass our understanding. You give us our life; by Your help we survive all who seek our destruction. You did wonders for us in the land of Egypt, miracles and marvels in the land of Pharaoh. You led your people out, forever to serve You in freedom. When Your children witnessed Your power, they extolled God and gave thanks. Willingly they enthroned You; and full of joy, Moses, Miriam, and all Israel sang this song:

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Mi Chamocha ba-eilim Adonai, Mi Ka-mocha ne-dar ba-ko-desh no-rah t'hi-lot oseih fe-le. Ma-l'chut'cha ra-u va-necha bo-kei-a yam lifiei Mosheh zeh Eili anu v'a-m'ru Adonai yimloch l'olam va-ed. V'ne-e-mar: ki fa-da A-do-nai et Ya-a-kov, ug-a10 mi-yad cha-zak mi-me-nu. Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai ga-a1 Yis-ra-eil.

Who is like You, Eternal One, among the gods that are worshipped? Who is like You, majestic in holiness awesome in splendor, doing wonders?

In their escape from the sea, Your children saw Your sovereign might displayed. This is my God they cried. The Etemal One will reign forever and ever.

And it has been said: "The Eternal delivered Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of one stronger than himself." Blessed are You 0 Eternal, the Redeemer of Israel.

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AARON BLACKWELL

I "Aaron, Rahya, get up. Pack what you can, what means the most to you. You have one hour." Those words have been ringing in my head for the past several months. It was the day before the storm hit New Orleans and my parents decided to stay the storm like we usually do. We were scrambling around trymg to pack as much as we could into as little space as possible. The day before, we had put my grand parents in the Hilton hotel in the 18" floor. Only later did I realize the awesome workout I would get climbing those stairs two times a day to bring them food.

We barely made it in time to get a room, buckle down, and hope for the best. Monday morning at two a.m., an alarm woke us up. I walked out the door with a bottle of water and a flashlight (my dad's standard rule), still in transition between light sleep and being fully awake. Luckily, one of the hotel managers came to tell us that the alarm was set off by the power of the storm. Slowly, the building started to soak in more and more water. Ceiling tiles started to crumble and fall on the ground. Small lakes formed in the middle of the hallways and almost every window was blown in on the first floor. Our room began to get hotter and hotter, and feel smaller by the minute. Finally at 517 Tuesday afternoon, we left the Hilton hotel and headed north, the only direction that we could go. A normal six hour drive to Jackson took us a whopping thirteen and half hours.

I I I On Thursday afternoon, we arrived in Lexington, Kentucky, my

new home for the next four months. At my new school, there were I about fifteen Jews out of more than two thousand students.

Luckily, I found four of the Jews and created an unofficial club. The more I investigated my school and my community; the more I realized how precious it was to be a Jew.

At my school in Kentucky, I joined the orchestra. It consisted of twenty violinists, twelve violists, ten cellists, and eight bassists. I felt the large size of the group as I first walked into the noise proof room. Being the new guy, it was up to me to reach out. Luckily, it didn't take me long to fit in. There was a freshman in the violin section who became friends with me very quickly. Soon, we became known as the Jew Brothers.

Being a Jew doesn't mean going to synagogue every week or having Shabbat dinner every Friday night. To be honest, I don't do these every week. My definition of being a Jew comes from one of the greatest and most spiritual women I know. Betty Zeiman once told me that being a good Jew is making choices. Some of our choices might not be the best ones or the proper ones, but the fact that you make these choices defines you as a Jew. Some of our choices involve actions and others involve beliefs, such as thinking about God. God may be what makes the sky blue, or may be a kind of grace that will take away a life with no notice, as happened with my grandmother. We may envision God in a number of other ways. During difficult times and as we join with other Jews, we are sustained by our ability to think and to make choices for ourselves.

Cause us Etemal our God to lie down in peace and cause us, our Ruler, to rise up for a good iife and for peace. Spread over us the shelter of Your peace; guide us with Your good counsel; and for Your name's sake, be our Help. Shield us from hatred and plague; keep us from war and famine and anguish; subdue our inclination to do evil. 0 God, our Guardian and Helper, our gracious and

I merciful Ruler, give us refuge in the shadow of Your wings. 0 guard our coming and our going, that now and always we have life and peace. Blessed are You 0 Etemal, whose shelter of peace is spread over us, over all God's people Israel, and over Jerusalem.

And Moses declared the appointed seasons of the Lord to the people of Israel.

May we be blessed as we go on our way, May we be guided in peace, May we be blessed with health and joy, May this be our blessing, amen.

! Amen, amen, may this be our blessing amen. Amen, amen, may this be our blessing amen.

I May we be sheltered by the wings of peace, May we be kept in safety and in love, May grace and compassion find their way to every soul, May this be our blessing, amen.

D. Friedman I

MICHAEL HARRIS

Up until this point in my life, Judaism meant going to Religious School, becoming a Bar Mitzvah, going to Synagogue for the High Holy Days, and celebrating Hanukkah and Passover with family and friends in our home. I also attended a few ToSTY and BBYO activities along the way.

A few months ago, my oldest brother, Scott, married an observant Conservative Jew. I was a groomsman and participated in the wedding ceremony. As I watched my brother and his bride, Sara, follow the ancient traditions of the Jewish religion, it was hard not to be moved by such a beautiful ceremony. I finally felt a new spiritual closeness to my religion. In the past, being Jewish had meant simply following a routine throughout the year. Being part of this wedding allowed me to see the spiritual potential that Judaism offers. Every day can't deliver that kind of spiritual charge. However, having experienced it once, I can now pay attention to the world and to the Jewish moments I encounter. I hope that this new spiritual awareness will help to guide me through my life.

RAWLIN REDFIELD

Being Jewish has been a crucial part of my identity in helping me through this strange year. This past fall, I found myself in a place where I did not know anyone and was not familiar with my surroundings. However, even in the wake of destruction, I knew that I was not alone. I could still reach out to my friends whom I had known for years. I still had my friends from both Jacobs Camp and NFTY. These friends gave me comfort and support. Jewish organizations, such as Jacobs and NFTY, provided me with what I needed to endure this year's and future challenges. What they gave me were my friends.

.qnSqp .: I . T;), ,?> n??p )n?w qf 5 Adonai s'fa-tai t e a c h u-ji yagid t'hi-la-techa

1 Eternal God open my lips that my mouth may declare Your glory.

Ba-ruch a-tah Adonai, E-lo-heinu vei-lo-hei a-vo-tei-nu v'i-mo-tei-nu E-lo-hei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak vei-lo-hei Ya-akov, Elohei Sarah, Elohei Rivka, Elohei Leah v'Racheil. Ha-Eil ha-gad01 ha-gi-bor v'ha-no-ra, Eil el-yon, go-meil cha-sa-dim to-vim, v'ko-nei ha-kol v'zo-cheir chas-dei a-vot v'i-ma-hot, u-mei-vi g'u-lah liv-nei v'nei-hem, l'ma-an sh'mo b'a-ha-vah. Me-lech o-zeir u-ma-shi-ah u-ma-gein. Ba-ruch a-tah Adonai, ma-gein Avraham v-ez-rat Sarah.

Praised be our God, the God of our fathers and our mothers: God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob; God of Sarah, God of Rebecca, God of Leah and God of Rachel; great, mighty and awesome God, God supreme. Ruler of all the living, Your ways are ways of love. You remember the faithfulness of our ancestors, and in love bring redemption to their children's children for the sake of Your name. You are our Sovereign and our Help, our Redeemer and our Shield. We praise You, Eternal One, Shield of Abraham, Protector of Sarah.

A-tah gi-bor 1'0-lam Adonai, m'cha-yei ha-kol a-tah rav l'ho-shi-a. M'chal-keil cha-yim b'che-sed, m'cha-yei ha-kol b'ra-cha-mim ra-bim so-meich no-f'lim v'ro-fei cho-lim, u-ma-tir a-su-rim, u'm'ka-yeim e-mu-nu-to le-shei-nei a-far. Mi cha-mo-cha ba-al g'vu-rot, u-mi do-meh Zach, me-lech mei-mit u-m'chayei u-mafz-mi-ach y'shu-ah? V'ne-e-man a-tah l'ha-cha-yot ha-kol. Baruch a-tah Adonai, m'cha-yei ha-kol.

Eternal is Your might, 0 God, and great is Your saving power. In love You sustain the living; in Your great mercy You sustain us all. You uphold the falling and heal the sick, free the captives and keep faith with Your children in death as in life. Who is like You, Almighty God, Author of life and death, Source of salvation? Praised are You, Eternal One, the Source of Life.

SOPHIE ORECK

Being Jewish has been something that I have often taken for granted. Judaism often felt like a series of events that I was told to follow, as opposed to a set of beliefs or an identity. Over time and through my studies at Religious School, I came to realize that being Jewish wasn't just a label. It was a way of life. A lot of what I could do and could not do has centered around being Jewish. For example, keeping Kosher can be especially challenging during Jazzfest and observing Shabbat can be difficult when you want to

hang out with your friends. Hopefully you begin to understand that it is all worth it.

I have found that being Jewish is special. There is an undeniable, unwritten bond with everyone who shares my faith. Judaism presents us with a system of beliefs complete with a code of laws that help us to conduct good lives. I have learned this from all my days in Religious School, preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, and studying for Confirmation. It has made me so grateful to be born into this faith where every path is paved with good intentions. The most special gift I have received from Judaism is the opportunity to be involved in something that is so much bigger than me. All Jews have been given this wonderful opportunity to be involved in something so meaningful.

Be gracious, Adonai, our God, to Your people Israel, and receive our prayers with love. 0 may our worship always be acceptable to You. Fill us with the knowledge that You are near to all who seek You in truth. Let our eyes behold Your presence in our midst and in the midst of our people in Zion. Praised are You, Eternal One, whose presence gives life to Zion and all Israel.

We gratefully acknowledge that you are the Lord our God and God of our people, the God of all generations. You are the Rock of our life, the Power that shields us in every age. We thank You and sing Your praises: for our lives, which are in Your hand; for our souls, which are in Your keeping; for the signs of Your presence we encounter every day; and for Your wondrous gifts at all times, morning, noon, and night. You are goodness: Your mercies never end; Your are Compassion: Your love will never fail. You have always been our hope. For all these things, 0 Sovereign God, let Your name be forever exalted and blessed. 0 God our Redeemer and Helper, let all who live affirm You and praise Your name in truth. Lord, whose nature is Goodness, we give You thanks and praise.

BENJAMIN LONG

For me, Judaism has always been like that strange friend you had in grade school who would bug you and who you'd wish would go away when other kids were around. However, when it was just you, that friend, and some other weird friends, you had a pretty good time. This analogy may seem strange, but it speaks to the comfort so many different kinds of people find in their Judaism. Being Jewish is like always having that friend there to help you out when the other popular kids are conforming and doing things that you really don't want to do anyway. When I think about my religion, I can't help but smile at the chutzpah of Judaism. Jews have known how to survive and, even thrive, under all circumstances. I love how every Jewish moment is a celebration of being alive. Judaism has avoided the mistake of some other faiths. We don't' overemphasize death. Rather, we celebrate life, joy and just plain being happy and alive.

In my English class, we're studying an existentialist play. So it was only natural that my gentile friend and I got in a conversation about dying. We wondered about what kind of death would be preferable, if you got to choose. My friend wanted to avoid a violent death, but had less of a problem with an illness. I approached the question from a totally different angle. How would I choose to die? Imagine an epic, intense fencing match on a bridge suspended between two hot air balloons several thousand feet above the ground. I would win, of course. In a merciful gesture, I would spare my opponent and he, being the treacherous villain, would take a cheap shot and send me flying over the edge of the bridge. It's not the death that's important here; it's everything leading up to the death. It's the potential of ninety something years and that final battle in the sky. This vision is inspired by Judaism's approach to life. I love Judaism because it teaches me that I should celebrate every moment and live fully until my last moment. I try to live embracing that spirit. However my end may come, I will be thinking of that battle up there among those balloons.

Shalom rav a1 Yisrael am-cha tasim l'olam. Ki atah hu melech adon, I'chol ha-shalom. V'fov b'ei-necha l'vareich et am-cha Yisrael, b'chol eit u-v'chol sha-ah bish'lo-mecha. Baruch atah Adonai, ha-m'vareich et amo Yisrael ba-shalom.

0 Sovereign of peace, let Israel Your people know enduring peace, for it is good in Your sight continually to bless Israel with Your peace. Praised are You Eternal One, who blesses Your people with peace.

0 God, keep my tongue from evil and my lips from deceit. Help me to be silent in the face of derision, humble in the presence of all. Open my heart to Your Torah, and I will hasten to do Your Mikvot. Save me with Your power; in time of trouble be my answerer, that those who love You may rejoice.

.,>NT>! -. . . ,lu ,~g> >J> ~iqq! . . ,g ,))?v ~ r q f 3997 May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable to You, 0 God, my Rock and my Redeemer.

HALLEL

Blessed are You Eternal our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Mitzvot and inspires us to sing Hymns of Praise.

PSALM 117 Praise the Eternal, all you nations! Extol God, all you peoples! For great is God's love for us, everlasting God's faithfulness. Hallelujah!

FROM PSALM 118 0 give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; For God's Love is everlasting. Let Israel now say: God's Love is everlasting. Let the House of Aaron now say: God's Love is everlasting. Let all who revere the Lord now say: God's Love is everlasting.

Blessed is the one who comes to seek the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. You are my God, and I will thank You; Your are my God, I will exalt You.

0 give thanks to the Lord, for God is good. For God's Love is everlasting.

0 give thanks to God, for God is good, for God's love is everlasting. Let Israel now say: God's love is everlasting. Let the House of Aaron now say: God's love is everlasting. Let all who revere God now say: God's love is everlasting.

When Israel went forth from Egypt, the House of Jacob from an alien people, Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.

The sea saw it and fled, the Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like young rams.

What ails you, 0 sea, that you run away? Why, 0 Jordan, do you turn back? 0 mountains, why do you skip like rams? Why, 0 hills, like young lambs?

Dance, 0 earth, before the Lord; at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a flowering spring.

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?iwTp The earth is God's, and all its fullness, the world and all who dwell there. For God has laid its foundations in the sea, and established it upon the currents. Who may ascend the mountain of God? Who may stand in God's holy place?

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Those with clean hands and pure hearts, who never speak with malice, who never swear deceitfully. They shall receive blessings and justicefrom God, their Helper.

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Lift yourselves up, 0 ancient doors! f o>rv >ring 9~w;q)

Let the Sovereign of Glory enter. !7il?~ 7 ) ~ N S ~ ) . I...

Who is this Sovereign of Glory? ?'l?qi~) q>n i l g ~ 9 i 7 ')?

The GO^ of HOS~S - - ni~2y :? God is the Sovereign of Glory! .7>8 !fil?g q>n N S ~

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Hear, 0 Israel: the Eternal is our God, the Eternal God alone!

E-chad E-lo-hei-nu, ga-do1 a-do-nei-nu, ka-dosh sh'-mo.

Our God is One; our God is great; holy is God's name.

3 1

HAKAFOT - PROCESSION OF THE TORAH

L-cha A-do-nai hag1-du-lah v'-hag-vu-rah v'-ha-tif-e-ref, v'-ha-nei-tzach v'-ha-hod, ki chol ba-sha-nza-yim u-va-a-retz. L'cha A-do-nai ha-mum-la-cha, v'-ha-mit-nu-sei 1-'chol 1'-rosh.

Yours, God, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours is the dominion, 0 God; You are supreme over all.

BEFORE THE READING OF TORAH

Bar1-chu et A-do-nai ham-vo-rach. Ba-ruch A-do-nai ham-vo-rach 1'-o-lam va-ed. Ba-ruch a-fah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu melech ha-o-lam, a-sher ba-char ba-nu mi-kol ha-a-mim v'-nu-fan la-nu ef To-ra-to. Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-naif no- tein ha-To-rah.

Praised is the Eternal One to whom our praise is due! Praised is the Eternal One to whom our praise is due, now and forever! Praised are You, Eternal One, Ruler of the universe, who has chosen us from all peoples by giving us the Torah. Blessed is the Eternal One, Giver of Torah.

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And God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for you any engraved image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy to thousands of those who love me, and keep my commandments. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother; that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your neighbor's.

AFTER THE READING OF TORAH

Ba-ruch atah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu melech ha-o-lam, a-sher nu-tan la-nu To-rat e-met, v'-cha-yei o-lam nu-ta b'-to-chei-nu. Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, no-fein ha-To-rah.

Praised are You, Eternal One, Ruler of the universe, who has given us a Torah of truth implanting within us eternal life. Praised is the Eternal One, Giver of Torah.

V'-zot ha-To-rah a-sher sum Mo-she 1iv'-nei b'-nei Yis-ra-eil al-pi A-do-nai b'-yad Mo-she.

This is the Torah that Moses placed before the people of Israel to fulfill the word of God.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam asher bachar bin'vi'im tovim v'ratza v'div-reihem ha-ne-e-marim be-emet Baruch atah Adonai ha-bocheir ba-Torah u-v'Mosheh avdo u-vJYisrael amo u-vin'vi-ei ha-emet va-tzedek.

Praised are You, Eternal One, Ruler of the universe, who has chosen faithful prophets to speak words of truth. Praised are You, Eternal One, for the revelation of Torah, for Moses God's servant and Israel God's people, and for the prophets of truth and righteousness.

AT-: I-

And she said, "Behold, thy sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; go back with thy sister." And Ruth said, "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for wither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God: where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

Ruth 1:15-17

AFTER THE READING OF HAFTARAH

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam tzur kol ha-olamim tzadik b'chol ha-dorot ha-Eil ha-ne-eman ha-omeir v'oseh ha-m'dabeir u-m'kayeim she-kol d'varav emet va-tzedek a1 ha-Torah v'al ha-avodah v'al ha-n'viim v'al yom Chug Ha-Shavuot ha-zeh she-nu-tata lanu Adonai Eloheinu l'sason u-l'simchah l'chavod u-l'tifaret a1 ha-kol Adonai Eloheinu anachnu modim lach u-m'var'chim otach yitbarach shirncha b y kol chai tamid l'olam ha-zeh Baruch atah Adonai m'kadeish Yisrael l'ha-z'manim.

PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND HEALTH

Mi she-bei-rach a-vo-tei-nu, ml-kor ha-b'ra-chah 1'4-mo-tei-nu May the Source of Strength who blessed the ones before us Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing. And let us say: Amen.

Mi she-bei-rach i-mo-tei-nu, ml-kor ha-b'ra-chah 1'-a-vo-tei-nu Bless those in need of healing with r'-$-ah sh'lei-mah The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit. h d let US Say: Amen. words and music by Debbie Friedman and Drorah Setel

RETURNING THE TORAH TO THE ARK

.nli', 7322 vnq ,u>p>~> >73 u q Let us declare the greatness of our God and give honor to the Torah.

.invXpj > N ~ W ? imy> nlin 1n;w~n: Praised be the One who in holiness has given the Torah to our people Israel.

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God's splendor covers heaven and earth; God is the strength of God's people, making glorious God's faithful ones, Israel, a people close to God. Hallelujah!

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God's teaching is perfect, reviving the soul; God's word is unfailing, making wise the simple;

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:r : . God's precepts are right, delighting the mind; God's mitzvah is clear, giving light to the eyes;

i7~> nlnsy qiny !? nv?? . y p "'1: ,nntj " ,\29ylln . .

God's doctrine is pure, enduring for ever; God's guidance is true, and altogether just.

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,777 ~'377 I ? . : i v ~ n .. . ~qninj . . ,FI? o + t ~ ~ > o>?n yy .oi>y pnia'n2 >?I ,oyi?

Behold, I have given you a good doctrine, My Torah: do not forsake it. It is a tree of life to those who hold it fast, and all who cling to it find happiness. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace.

.o7p3 . . . wn! ui~n .n?>v>j ,~;>w !? vpgg I T .

Help us to return to You, 0 God; then truly shall we return. Renew our days as of old.

BLESSING OF THE CLASS RABBI BUSCH CANTOR WARNER

PRESENTATIONS

A-lei-nu 1'-sha-bei-ach la-a-don ha-kol, la-teit g'-du-lah 1'-yo-tzeir b'-rei-sheet, she-lo a-sa-nu k'-go-yei ha-a-ra-tzot, v'-lo sa-ma-nu k'-mish-p'-chot ha-a-da-ma, she-lo sum chel-kei-nu ka-hem, v'-go-ra-lei-nu kt-chol ha-mo-nam. Va-a-nach-nu ko-r'-im u-mish-ta-cha-vim u-mo-dim, lif-nei me-lech, mal-chei ham1-la-chim, ha-ka-dosh ba-ruch hu.

We must praise God of all, the Maker of heaven and earth, who has set us apart from the other families of the earth, giving us a destiny unique among the nations. We therefore bow in awe and thanksgiving before the One who is Sovereign above all, the Holy One, blessed be God.

May the time not be distant, 0 God, when Your name shall be worshipped in all the earth, when unbelief shall disappear and m o r be no more. Fervently we pray that the day may come when all shall turn to

You in love, when corruption and evil shall no longer enslave the mind, nor idolafry blind the eye, when all who dwell on earth shall know that You alone are God. 0 may all, created in Your image, become one in spirit and one in friendship, for ever united in Your seruice. Then shall Your sovereignty be established on earth, and the word of Your prophet fulfilled: "The Eternal God will reign for ever and ever."

You spread out the heavens and established the earth; You are our God; there is none else. In truth You alone are our sovereign God, as it is written: "Know then this day and take it to heart: the Eternal One is God in the heavens above and on the earth below; there is none else."

V'ne-e-mar, v'-ha-yah A-do-nai, 1'-me-lech a1 kol ha-a-retz, ba-yom ha-hu y'-hi-yeh A-do-nai e-chad, u'-sh'mo e-chad.

And it has been said: the Eternal God shall rule over all the earth; on that day You shall be One and Your Name shall be One.

Our thoughts turn to those who have departed this earth: our own loved ones, those whom our friends and neighbors have lost, the martyrs of our people, and those of every race and nation whose lives have been a blessing to humanity. As we remember them, let us meditate on the meaning of love and loss, of life and death.

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V'-yit-ha-la1 sh'-mei d'-kudf-sha b'-ri-chu, 1'-ei-la min kol bir-cha-ta v'-shi-ra-ta

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Y'-hei sh'-la-ma ra-ba min sh'ma-ya v'-cha-yim a-lei-nu v'-a1 kol Yis-ra-eil, v'-im-ru: A-mein.

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0-seh sha-lom bim-ro-mav hu ya-a-sei sha-lom a-lei-nu v'-a1 kol Yis-ra-eil, v'-im-ru: A-mein.

Let the glory of God be extolled, let God's name be hallowed in the world whose creation is willed. May God's Majesty soon prevail in our day, our own lives, and the life of Israel, and let us say: Amein. Let God's great Name be blessed for ever and ever. Let the name of the Holy One, blessed is God, be glorified, exalted and honored, though God is beyond all the praises, songs and adorations that we can utter, and let us say: Amein. For us and all of Israel, may the blessing of peace and the promise of life come true and let us say: Amein. May the One who causes peace to reign in the high heavens, let peace descend on us, on all Israel, and all humanity, and let us say: Amein.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kol od ba-lei-vav p'ni-ma

Ne-fesh Y'hu-di ho-mi-ya

U-l'fa'atey miz-rach ka-di-ma

A-yin 1'Tzi-yon tzo-fi-ya

Od lo av-da tik-va-tei-nu

Ha-tik-vah bat sh'not al-pay-im

Lih'yot am chof-shi b'ar-tzei-nu

B'e-retz Tzi-yon Viru-sha-la-yim.

Lih'yot am chof-shi b'ar-tzei-nu

B'e-retz Tzi-yon Viru-sha-la-yim.

So long as still within the inmost heart a Jewish spirit sings, so long as the eye looks eastward, gazing toward Zion, our hope is not lost - the hope of two thousand years: to be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.