Incorporating family and dearest friends into the celebration adds layers of meaning. Having ones’ closest relationships recognized in the celebration are often occasions for joy, and sometimes occasions for stress. Extending an honor should be understood as an opportunity, not an obligation!
The Torah service structure presents the traditional setting for honors opportunities. There are also other opportunities beyond the Torah structure to consider.
The core Torah service honors are presented in their order and include:
- Opening/closing the ark at the start of the Torah service. A couple can be honored to do this.
- Carrying a Torah scroll in the processional, if the b* mitzvah is not doing so.
- Blessings before and after individual Torah readings. Both the blessings and readings are called an aliyah, aliyot in plural. The number of readings determines the number of honors. Couples or groups can be called, depending on the strictures of the ceremony’s set up.
- Lifting the Torah (called hagbah in Hebrew).
- Dressing the Torah (called gelilah in Hebrew).
- Carrying a Torah scroll in the recessional, if the b* mitzvah is not doing so.
- Opening/closing the ark at the close of the Torah service. A couple can be honored to do this.
- Beyond these Torah service honors, one can add special readings, poems, or other presentations. These are limited only by your sense of appropriateness for the occasion.
Looking beyond the ceremonial honors, there are often important technical roles behind the scenes of a celebration. These can be opportunities to extend honors as well. They may include working on a video presentation, creating a b* mitzvah website, monitoring online streaming during the ceremony, creating a digital service booklet for projection, working on a printed program, or providing a special graphic that brands the celebration; there is no official list. Some people call upon friends and family with specific events industry skills and talents in lieu of contracting outside professionals. This can be fraught with complications, but it might well work for you. Your celebration’s unique needs will determine the opportunities you might extend to your family and friends.