Resources for Minyan Leaders

Home

Home

Home

Shiva Minyan Outline | Ma’ariv Service

Introduce self, offer condolences, welcome people in. You can begin with a slow Hinei Mah Tov or a niggun (wordless melody) if you are comfortable doing so. Otherwise, go to 1a—Kabbalat Panim. Let people know that each page has an “a” side (with Hebrew and more literal translations) and a “b” side with poetry and interpretations.

p.1a Kabbalat Panim

p.4a Barechu (Sheet Music)—chant or read in Hebrew (ask people to rise)

p.5a or b Choose an English reading for Ma’ariv Aravim

p. 6a or b Choose and English reading for Ahavat Olam

p. 7 Shema (chant)

Ask people to be seated

p. 8a V’ahavta (chant if comfortable or read English translation)

p. 10b Choose a reading before Mi Chamocha

p. 10a Sing Mi Chamocha (Sheet Music) (or skip if you don’t know a melody)

p. 13b Build Me Up of memory (to introduce the T’filah/Amidah)

Typically we chant the first three blessings together then folks pray silently.

p. 13a Adonai sefatai tiftach--chant

p. 14a Avot --chant

p. 15a G’vurot--chant

p. 17a Kedusha--chant

Invite people to pray silently through page 25a. Once you are done, be seated; that usually gets other people to sit. When everyone is seated, then continue)

p.25a Y’hiyu L’ratzon—Sing if comfortable. Or Oseh Shalom (Sheet Music); Or read the English translation

Transition to Memorial Prayers

p. 29b We Who Remember

p. 28a Psalm 23

p. 31b Still It Is Next to Impossible… or There are Stars…

INVITE GUESTS TO SHARE MEMORIES. YOU MAY WANT TO ASK THE MOURNER IF THEY’D LIKE TO DO THIS. SOMETIMES, BY THE THIRD NIGHT ESPECIALLY, THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE A QUICK MINYAN SERVICE. FOLLOW THE MOURNER’S LEAD.

p. 33a El Maleh Rachamim—Read; chant in Hebrew; and/or read English translation. Invite people to stand. El Maleh (female) or El Maleh (Male) (Sheet Music)

p. 34b In a Garden. ..

p. 34a Mourners Kaddish (read translation of last line—may God grant peace to those who mourn….

Fri, May 9 2025 11 Iyar 5785