Being Called for An Aliyah

For those who are honored with an Aliyah, the following procedure should be followed:

• Men must wear a tallit and a kippah. Women must wear a head covering, however tallit is optional. Note: tallitot can be found inside the sanctuary door. Kippot and head coverings are in the sanctuary foyer.
• You will be called to the Aliyah after the person before you has made his/her concluding blessing. When called, go up to the Amud and stand to the Torah reader’s right.
• At the podium, the reader will point out the place in the Torah where s/he will begin reading. You should take the end of your tallit and touch that place in the Torah with it, then kiss the tallit. A woman not wearing a tallit touches the place in the Torah with the sash used to tie the Torah, then kisses it.
• If you are called to the Torah with one other person, both of you should follow the above procedure.
• If you are called with more than one person, only those called by their Hebrew names will kiss the Torah.
• You should then grasp onto the wooden handles of the Torah with your left hand.
• You will find the blessings on the sheet called Torah Blessings written in the Hebrew and in English transliteration, on a laminated sheet next to the Torah. You will recite these blessings.
• If you are not familiar with reciting the blessings before and after the Torah reading, they are given below in Hebrew and in English transliteration along with an audio recording so you may learn the chanting.

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Blessings Before and After Torah Reading

Congregation Agudas Achim, a Conservative synagogue, has established kitchen and facilities usage standards, guidelines and policies for all who will be using our facilities. The observance of Kashrut, Shabbat and Holy Days are the basic tenets of Conservative Judaism.  We therefore maintain kosher meat and kosher dairy kitchens and observe Shabbat / Holy Days in keeping with these principles. The Guidelines for Use of CAA Kitchen and Facilities are prepared in order to facilitate food preparation in the kitchen and the planning of events in the facilities of CAA on Shabbat and Holy Days.

You may choose to use CAA staff or choose your own caterer. Because of the requirements to maintain a kosher kitchen at CAA we have included a list of Approved Caterers who have gone through our certification for use of our kitchen. If your caterer is not on our list please contact our Event Coordinator to see what may be done to certify your caterer.  You may also use the facilities of CAA to hold your own private function such as Shabbat dinner or B’Nai Mitzvah evening reception after Shabbat. You will need to read and sign the Building Usage and Reservation Agreement. Please contact the Event Coordinator about 3 months prior to your event to discuss space availability

At Congregation Agudas Achim, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an event shared by the entire community. Parents or other family members customarily host a Kiddush luncheon after the Shabbat Morning Service. In the spirit of sharing simchas with the community, all members of the congregation and guests are invited to the Kiddush Luncheon. Please see our Kiddush Luncheon Pricelist.

Some families choose to host a Friday night dinner at CAA for their out-of-town guests and family. Please contact the Event Coordinator about 3 months prior to your event to discuss space availability.  The same catering options are available as for the Kiddush Luncheon. Please see our Shabbat Dinner Pricelist.