In the past sixteen years at B’nai Moshe, we have created a new building, a new school wing and a new chapel. But we are about to create something even more special, and potentially more long lasting.

This month we officially announce the creation of Siddur Tefillah L’Moshe—our new B’nai Moshe Shabbat prayer book. Ten years ago, many of us had the opportunity to participate in the writing of a new Torah Scroll, from which we continue to read on Shabbat and holidays. This new Siddur project is even more exciting. Not everyone is able to read from the Torah. But everyone of us will hold Siddur Tefillah L’Moshe in our hands Shabbat after Shabbat, and everyone of us will be able to use the siddur to sing out to God in prayer and gratitude.

Why a new siddur?

From the time I began as your rabbi, in 1992, I have had lengthy discussions with fellow clergy and members about the ongoing limitations of our beloved Sabbath and Festival Prayer Book. Our current siddur, first published in 1946, was the first of its kind in the Conservative Movement, but sixty years later we have come to realize that it is not as “user friendly” as it could be.

In the past few decades, other siddurim have emerged, all with advantages over our current version, but no one siddur containing all the elements we were looking for.

So from time to time, during discussion, I and others would conclude: “We should create our own siddur!” It seemed like a great idea, but who really had the time and skill to bring this idea to fruition. And then we found the answer in a local Detroiter and friend of B’nai Moshe, Joe Lewis and his company, The Singlish Publication Society. Joe has been helping synagogues throughout the country create their own siddurim, and through his expertise, Siddur Tefillah L’Moshe, is soon to be a reality.

Among the exciting features of our new siddur:

• All the Hebrew prayers of our traditional Shabbat service will be retained in clear, easy to read typeface.

• Every prayer will be transliterated into English, so that all congregants will be able to participate, even if they don’t yet read Hebrew.

• A new and improved English translation, provided by our publisher.

• Explanatory notes throughout the siddur, clearly guiding everyone when to stand and sit, when and how to respond to the leader, and other useful information to enhance the experience of davening.

• All prayers will be arranged in the order in which we daven, so that there will be no more “flipping” back and forth in the siddur.

• A good quality hard bound edition, featuring a beautiful cover photo of our very own Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark).

Cantor Berris and I, together with members of the congregation, will be carefully reviewing Joe Lewis’ drafts to make sure that our siddur is just right for us. The new Siddur will contain all the services from Friday Mincha through Shabbat Musaf. Therefore it will perfectly complement our daily Siddur Sim Shalom, which contains Shabbat Mincha and all weekday services.

You also might be wondering, “What will happen to our Sabbath and Festival Prayer Book?” The answer is that we will still use our older siddur on Chagim and Shabbat Chol Hamoed, which will constitute about 15 times each year.

The name Siddur Tefillah L’Moshe comes from Psalm 90, which is recited each Shabbat morning.

• The Psalm begins:

  :תפלה למשה איש-האלהים אדני מעון אתה היית לנו בדר ודר A prayer of Moshe, the man of God. O Lord, You have been our refuge in every generation.

• and concludes:

  :ויהי נעם אדני אלהינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו May the favor of the Lord, our God, be upon us; let the work of our hands prosper, O prosper the work of our hands!