Timely Program Ideas

Timely Program Ideas
Department of Congregational Programming
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
155 Fifth Avenue,
New York, NY 10010
212-533-7800 ext 2620

TPI 12: Setting Up a Jewish Home - Guide for Jewish Soon-to-be-Weds

Rabbi: Use this list when meeting with a couple prior to marriage to assist them in creating a bayit ne'eman b'Yisrael, a home which is permeated with Jewish living.

Membership Outreach: Select an item as a gift to an engaged couple or to newlyweds to solidify their intention to be members. Offer a complimentary membership for a year or two.

Religious Committee: Meet with all couples who will be married in the synagogue by the rabbi/cantor and/or using the congregation's caterer as a prenuptial session. Distribute this guide (which should be reviewed by the rabbi). Use it as an occasion to warmly welcome the couple to the building, to the sanctuary, to the congregation, to Jewish observance.

Your Jewish Home

Mezuzot - A home becomes uniquely Jewish by affixing a mezuzah case with a kosher parchment on which the Shema is scribally written. There must be a mezuzah (minimally) on the doors that open to "the street". Many follow the custom of a mezuzah on the doorpost of every room in the house (except the bathroom).
Candlesticks - Candlesticks for Shabbat and holidays should be displayed prominently every day of the year. In some families it is the custom to light two candles. In others, one candle is lit for each member of the family. As a family grows, the joy of Shabbat and hol iday light increases.
Kiddush Cup - Each family should have a special cup or goblet to be used for Shabbat holidays and other joyous occasions, when wine, the symbol of beauty and sweetness in our tradition, helps announce and sanctify a special observance. There should be one kiddush cup for a family or as time passes, perhaps a collection of cups - one cup for each member of the family.
Challah Board and Knife - A special cutting board and knife decorated with Jewish art and/or Hebrew lettering, raises our Shabbat and holiday dinner table above a place used simply for eating. The challah reminds us of our tradition, our history and our survival.
Challah Cover - Placed over the challah until the motzi" bracha is recited, an attractive challah cover adds to the beauty and emphasizes the special nature of the Shabbat and holiday meal.
Kippot - A skull cap known in Hebrew as a kippah is worn according to Jewish tradition whenever God's name is recited during meals, during prayers or Jewish study or other Jewish observances. The kippah should certainly be worn at times of candle lighting, kiddush, hamotzi, during meals, Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals), and Jewish studies.
Havdalah Set - As the Shabbat and holidays are ushered in by the lighting of candles, so too these days are concluded by the lighting of a Havdalah candle and the recitation in the home of a brief service. The word Havdalah means separation and the Havdalah service formally marks the end of a religious experience and the return to normal workday activities. A Havdalah set consists of a specially braided candle with multiple wicks intended to create a large, obvious flame. Also included is a spice box made of wood, silver, patina, or other materials and filled with spices. Their fragrance is used as a lingering reminder of the beautiful experience just concluded. In addition, wine in a kiddush cup is used in the service as the blessing is recited at the outset of the Havdalah service.
Mizrach - A wall decoration with the word Mizrach (East) written on it is traditionally placed on an Eastern wall of our home, facing toward Jerusalem, reminding us of our unity with Jerusalem and the State of Israel.
Etrog Holder - A special box of silver or wood in which the etrog - the special fruit of the Sukkot holiday is kept and displayed. The lulav and etrog are waved in a special way on each day of Sukkot (except on Shabbat).
Chanukah Menorah - Each family should possess at least one chanukiah-menorah to be used with candles or with oil. Some families have each person in the family light their own menorah.
Purim Megillah and Rashanim (Groggers) - The Scroll of Esther is called Megillat Esther in Hebrew and tells of the escape of the Jews of Persia from annihilation. It may be purchased in many decorative forms and is a significant addition to the articles of Judaica that can give our home a distinctive and meaningful decor. Many artistic groggers (Rashanim) from different parts of the world are also available.
Pesach Seder Plates and Matzah Covers - A nice Seder plate adds to the meaning of the Passover service and contains the foods used for various rituals.
Yahrtzeit Candles - A candle that bums for 24 hours and is to be kindled on the evening before the Yahrtzeit date as well as the evening before the four days of yizkor during the year. (The evening before Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, the last day of Pesach and the second day of Shavuot) The Yahrtzeit candle is lit by any Jew who has lost a mother, father, sister, brother, wife, son or daughter.

Starting a Jewish Library

Chumash (The Five Books of Moses). Start with the Soncino edition, the 5 volume J.P.S. with commentary or the Artscroll Stone Chumash.
* Tanakh - The 39 books comprising the complete Jewish Bible (including the Chumash). The Jewish Publication Society edition.
* Siddur Sim Shalom - Contains the weekday and Shabbat services. Also has prayers (tefillot) and blessings (brachot) for home observances and life cycle events like a brit (circumcision) or a chatuna (wedding).
* Feast of Freedom Haggadah - Has a text and explanations for your Pesach Seder.
* B'kol Echad - The rituals/blessings for Shabbat and holidays, songs and grace after meals. Purchase enough for each person in the family and guests.
Basic Judaism - One of the best and shortest introductions to Jewish holidays, observances and belief. by Rabbi Milton Steinberg (paper)
This Is My God - Another excellent starter text. by Herman Wouk (paper)
* It's A Mitzvah - A step by step approach to a dozen of Judaism's beautiful mitzvot and how to make the opening tentative start. by Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson (paper)
* Conservative Judaism: The New Century - A background to Conservative Judaism, its first 100 years and the successes and issues before the movement. by Dr. Neil Gillman (paper)
* Conservative Judaism: Our Ancestors to our Descendants - The history of Conservative Judaism and its unique philosophy. Originally prepared for United Synagogue Youth (USY), excellent for all. by Dr. Elliott Dorff (paper)
* Tradition and Change - History and goals of Conservative Judaism edited by Rabbi Mordechai Waxman.
The Sabbath - Dr. Abraham Joshua Heschel's spiritual interpretation of Judaism's Day of Rest. Readable for all(paper)
I and Thou - Dr. Martin Buber's key essay on the relationship of each person to a personal God (paper)
Night - Eli Weisel's classic "introduction" to the personal horror of the Nazi Holocaust (paper)
My People - Abba Eban's account of the people of Israel.
The Zionist Idea - by Arthur Hertzberg
* A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice - by Isaac Klein

* Available from Book Service, 212-533-7800 ext. 2000