Four hundred copies of the new Reform siddur, Mishkan T’filah arrived in late November and are being used for Shabbat services at Congregation Beth Elohim. Rabbi  Bachman has been holding a class on Saturday mornings titled How to Pray with the New Siddur which continues through February.

Members were mailed a letter from CBE vice president Victor Ney and his wife, Karen Binder, extending an opportunity to donate to the congregation one or more copies of the siddur at a cost of $36 per volume. Donations will be acknowledged by a personalized book plate inside the front cover.

Dear Fellow Congregants, 

It is with great pride that we write to share with you that Mishkan T'filah, the new prayer book of the North American Reform Movement has finally arrived. It is only the fourth prayer book in the entire history of American Reform Judaism. It took more than 20 years to achieve and was tested in over 300 congregations, including our very own Congregation Beth Elohim.  

We are excited to extend to you an opportunity to make your mark in this momentous publication by dedicating a beautiful personalized book plate inside the front cover. Celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or simply a cherished friendship. Commemorate a bris, a bar or bat mitzvah or a memorial plate commemorating the death of a loved one. The choices are endless. 

The new Mishkan T’filah (which means “a sanctuary or dwelling place for prayer”) offers something for everyone. It blends different voices and invites full participation. A typical two page spread reveals four versions of each prayer. There is: the Hebrew prayer, the transliteration into phonetical English, a more literal translation and a more poetic translation. These are often followed by a metaphorical or meditative passage reflecting on the prayer, sometimes by well-known writers like Langston Hughes or Yehuda Amichai.  

The publication of this new Siddur provides a unique chance for us all to join together to honor and celebrate friends and family. A book dedication also makes a wonderful gift. Please join us and complete the Book Plate Dedication Form . Fill out multiple dedications or make just one. By making your mark in the Mishkan T’filah you are practicing an act of Tikkun Olam that will be recognized by future generations to come.