A Beginner's Guide to the Synagogue Prayer Service By Moshe I. Sorscher For anyone who has ever felt lost during the Shabbat services, this book is the perfect solution! It is indispensable for Beginner's Services. It contains transliterations of all the major prayers as well as helpful instructions and explanations. This book can also be used by newly observant people at home since there is useful guidance on candle lighting, kiddush, and even a selection of traditional Shabbat songs. The inspiring parables from a variety of sources are one more example of Sorscher's ability to teach and point out the beauty of Jewish prayers.
"For many beginners and veterans, the congregational prayer service is a confusing maze in which they often get lost. The Companion Guides are a valuable and practical map which make the High Holiday/Shabbat experience infinitely more meaningful and intelligible. I highly recommend them." --Rabbi Pinchas Stolper, Orthodox Union
For anyone who has ever felt lost during the Shabbat services, this book is the perfect solution! This reader-friendly guide contains extensive introductions, explanations and parables to help demystify Jewish prayer and the synagogue. It also contains transliterations of every important prayer said or sung in unison by the congregation, with page references to the following siddurim: ArtScroll, Birnbaum, Metsudah, Lubavitch & De Sola Pool. Let this guide lead you towards more meaningful prayer in your life!
Making Prayer Meaningful Education through a healthy combination of discussion, prepared lectures and active participation in the davening is the program's goal. Topics of discussion span such issues as Israel, current events, holidays, the meaning behind the many Jewish customs, community events or anything that might be of interest to participants. During the Shabbat morning daveningled by one of the newly observant members of the congregationSorscher explains different prayers. In 1997, the Beginner's program was expanded to include a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur service as well.
About the Author: Moshe Sorscher has taken community service to new heights. While many people may volunteer their time and services, few are able to sustain a high level of enthusiasm and dedication over prolonged periods of time. Since hearing Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald of the National Jewish Outreach Program speak eight years ago about how thriving Orthodox shuls can affect the lives of less knowledgeable Jews, Sorscher became committed to making a difference in the lives of people searching to change their lives and become more Jewishly observant. Although Sorscher spends his days as a pension administrator, he has made it his mission to lovingly encourage and teach those who wish to learn more about prayer and Jewish life. He has coordinated the Young Israel of Flatbush's Outreach Program for eight years now--that is almost 410 Shabbat mornings--and he has rarely missed a Shabbat. Supportive Family Despite the difficulty of his arriving home later from shul than the rest of his family, Sorscher's wife of 34 years, five children and three grandchildren remain supportive of him and proud of what he does. He and his wife have opened their home and invited members of the Beginner's Service for Shabbat lunch. In addition, they have participated in many of the personal life cycle events of members of the minyan. "I've always been a shul person," says Sorscher. "For many years, I ran a junior congregation. I enjoy preparing for the Shabbat morning program and look forward to it every week." And Sorscher's enthusiasm has spread to his congregants. Twenty-five to thirty "regulars" attend the special Beginner's Shabbat morning services every week. Many others come at frequent intervals.
