Avot+V'Emahot

// The following is in part adapted from the JECC-Siegal College's JECCHebrewPrayer-AvotImahot wiki.// = The Structure =
 * The אבות ואמהות is the first paragraph and blessing of the עמידה - the heart of the service.
 * It follows Mi Chamocha and is begun with a one line prayer that begins with the words: אדני שפתי תפתח...
 * The אבות ואמהות is recited both silently and aloud at different times.
 * There is a special choreography associated with the first line (אדוני שפתי תפתח) as well as the paragraph that follows.
 * In some traditional congregations only the Fathers (the אבות: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) are mentioned. In other congregations, the Mothers (the אמהות: Sara, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel) are mentioned. The order that the Matriarchs are listed is also different in some siddurim.

= The Story =
 * אדוני שפתי תפתח comes from a poem written by King David as a way to help him get into the proper mood to pray.
 * The אבות ואמהות is like a history lesson - "reminding" ourselves and God about our connection with those who came before us. We're asking God to help us just as God helped our ancestors. This concept is called //Z'chut Avot// - זכות אבות which is translated as "the merit of our ancestors".
 * In this prayer we recognize that God is powerful but also loving.

= The Spiritual =
 * Why does the phrase "God of" appear before each Father and Mother? One interpretation is that it reflects how just as our ancestors had a special relationship with God, so do we. What can we learn from this? What type of relationship with God do each of us have?
 * Stepping backwards and forwards during אדוני שפתי and bowing during the אבות ואמהות represent ways we approach and act towards God. How does moving our bodies help us get close to God?

=__Activity Ideas__=
 * Retell vignettes in each of the Fathers or Mothers lives using Make Beliefs Comix;
 * Through Skype conferencing, students from the different synagogues can compare and contrast the different versions in the Reform and Conservative siddurim.
 * Create a glog that focuses on a specific Matriarch or Patriarch: why are they important? What was special about their relationship with God?
 * Created a VoiceThread with a discussion on how students connect with their ancestors and what they've learned from them.
 * Students can create a Vodcast that explains the choreography.
 * The אבות ואמהות will be added into the VoiceThread siddur.
 * Create a 140 character interpretation can be included in a tweeting siddur.
 * Create a glog or powerpoint slide featuring the אבות ואמהות.

= Decoding =
 * Go here.