2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

We also have a cadre of dedicated super gabbai’im, our floor leaders, who patiently greet honorees and guide
them through the Torah service. This same group also selects honorees during regular Shabbat or festival services.
We realized that they need the same understanding of the choreography of the Torah service as the bimah
gabbai’im; David created a special training document for them, the Super Gabbai Playbook (also attached), which
includes detailed instructions about managing and distributing honors on both “regular” and “special” days.
Gabbai Playbook
The Gabbai Playbook is designed to help individuals serve as gabbai’im during a Torah service at Congregation Beth
Emeth. The handbook addresses Torah services held on Shabbat (morning and minha), festivals, Rosh Hashannah,
Yom Kippur (morning and afternoon), Chanukah, and weekdays.
The handbook includes a basic primer about the Torah service itself (number of aliyot on various days, who
may and may not have which aliyah, the order of preference of aliyot, and when we need to ask the rabbi!). Some of
the information (logistical preparations and how we open our ark, for example) are somewhat specific to our
congregation. However, the detailed description of calling people to the Torah (and the default if a Kohen or Levi is not
present), the variations on special occasions (when we read from more that one scroll, for example), special
responsibilities on certain Yom Tovim (such as Simchat Torah), apply to all services in all congregations.
The level of detail is extraordinary and gives inexperienced gabbai’im the tools to become more confident on
the bimah. This detailed handbook provides comprehensive training for lay involvement as important leaders during the
Torah service.
Training
David has refined the Playbook in the few years we have used it and continues to identify and train new gabbai’im to
add to our pool of “experts.” We’re delighted that not only adults, but also our USYers have taken gabbai training
classes and regularly serve as bimah gabbai’im.
The Playbook serves as reference material to help bimah gabbai’im become more confident about their role
during the Torah service. In addition, David runs comprehensive training sessions for new gabbai’im and refresher
courses for our gabbai’im core. Every person who wants to serve as a gabbai at Congregation Beth Emeth is required
to attend gabbai training, which uses the Playbook as its class text. The minimum two-hour training sessions require the
trainees to take roles as gabbai’im on the bimah and test their skills. Over the past few years, David has trained 22
bimah gabbai’im, who now participate regularly in running Beth Emeth Torah services. One of David’s many roles as a
volunteer in the congregation is to assign gabbai’im for all Torah services. This allows him to pair an experienced
gabbai with a trainee until the trainee becomes more confident. It works! Former “trainees” now have the experience
to work with newer gabbai’im.
Regular Follow-Up
David also communicates regularly with gabbai’im in person and by e-mail to encourage them, compliment them, and
help them continue to hone their bimah skills. Sometimes, he sends a gentle reminder if he observes a consistent
problem on the bimah during the Torah service. He also sends humorous quizzes that pose potential bimah issues and
require gabbai’im to resolve them. In April 2007, David started a monthly e-mail – Gabbai Tip – that brings topics of
interest to the gabbai’im and provides a forum for sharing ideas.
Super Gabbai Playbook
At Congregation Beth Emeth, the primary responsibility of the super gabbai is to be the service floor leader or stage
manager for each Torah service. This can be a daunting task, considering the number of b’nai mitzvah services we have
annually and the number of non-member visitors who attend these services and receive Torah honors. To be an
effective stage manager, the super gabbai must be throroughly familiar with the ritual and choreography of the Torah
service as well as understand who may or may not receive a Torah service honor.
The Super Gabbai Playbook includes some of the material from the Gabbai Playbook, but describes in greater
details how honors should be assigned according to halacha and the exceptions we have carved out for special
situations in our congregation. This handbook also includes basic information about the holidays and special Tiyul To
Shul for special occasions.