Awards
Tikkunim
When a person has completed four Torah readings at regularly scheduled services at Beth El, the Institute presents him or her with a Tikkun, a book that includes Torah script and is used to prepare Torah readings. Each Tikkun has a bookplate with the member’s name handwritten in calligraphy, surrounded with the Hebrew expression from Pirkei Avot, “All who study Torah for its own sake are a joy to G-d, a joy to their fellows, and are clothed with modesty and awe.”
Certificates
Certificates are presented once a year at the congregation’s annual Ba’al Korei Shabbat. All of the certificates contain the Hebrew expression from the Talmud (Sukkah 49b), “Torah for its own sake is Torah of hesed (loving kindness)”.
- When a member has read a cumulative total of 136 p’sukim (verses) at regularly scheduled services at Beth El, the member receives the title of Madrich/Madricha (leader) and earns a certificate.
- When a member has read a cumulative total of 236 p’sukim at regularly scheduled services at Beth El, the member receives the title of Manhig/Manhiga (leader of Israel) and earns a silver certificate.
- When a member has read a cumulative total of 500 p’sukim at regularly scheduled services at Beth El, the member receives the title of Shomer/Shomeret (guardian) and earns a gold certificate.
Yadoth
Any teenage member who becomes a Madrich or Madricha by reading a cumulative total of 136 p’sukim at regularly scheduled services at Beth El prior to high school graduation, and each member who becomes a Shomer or Shomeret by reading a cumulative total of 500 p’sukim at regularly scheduled services at Beth El, receives a sterling silver yad engraved with his or her Hebrew name. The yadoth are gifts from the Institute and are presented each year at the congregation’s Tikkun l’ayl Shavuot (a community all-night study session on the holiday of Shavuot) by the Rabbi of the congregation.
What counts?
- Readings in the Field Family Sanctuary or the Beit Hamidrash Shabbat Minyan on Shabbat and Holiday mornings. If a reader reads the final aliyah and repeats maftir, no extra credit is given for the repeated verses. If a reader reads the same reading in both the Field Family Sanctuary and in the Beit Hamidrash Shabbat Minyan on the same day, 1/2 credit is given for the repeated verses. Reading records are kept by the BKI.
- Readings on the High Holidays, either in the Field Family Sanctuary or at Highland Park High School. Reading records are kept by the BKI.
- Readings in teen minyan, at USY events or at Jewish summer camp (with certification from a counselor) – 1/2 credit for each verse read. PLEASE NOTE: These readings are self-reporting. If you read and want credit you must let the BKI chairman know when and how many verses you read by sending an e-mail to bethel_bkimembers@comcast.net
- Weekday and Shabbat afternoon Torah readings at Beth El minyanim. If a reader reads the same weekday or Shabbat afternoon reading once or twice, full single credit is given. If a reader reads the same weekday or Shabbat afternoon reading all three times during a week, or either once or twice during the week and also on Shabbat morning, double credit is given. Double credit is the maximum that will be awarded for repetition of the same reading. PLEASE NOTE: Weekday and Shabbat afternoon readings are self-reporting. If you read and want credit you must let the BKI chairman know when and how many verses you read by sending an e-mail to Bethel_bkimembers@comcast.net.