Learn the Reform Blessings Before & After Reading the Haftarah with “Prayer-eoke”

These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the reading of the haftarah in Reform congregations. The haftarah is a selection from the book of Prophets publicly read in synagogue following the Torah reading on Shabbat, Jewish festivals and fast days. In many communities, the entire haftarah is read by the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrant, or at least the blessings before and after the reading. These videos with Hebrew and transliterated subtitles were created by Rabbi Ahuva Zaches of Congregation Or Ami (Reform) in Richmond, VA, as part of her YouTube series, “Prayer-eoke,” a Karaoke-style program for learning Hebrew prayers. She uses popular melodies for the blessings.