I'd love it if you would read one of the aliyahs for the Rosh Hashanah Torah reading.
I don't know how to say no. I am starting a new school and moving and I don't know if I ahve thew guts to go read in front of 200+ people. Please Help! Thanks! Shalom, Morgan
2007-08-07 08:48:19 · 8 answers · asked by Morgan 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
just tell them you're an extremely shy public speaker and it mortifies you. it's polite and you don't have to lie. public speaking is a major fear common among many people. someone'll understand.
2007-08-07 08:52:07 · answer #1 · answered by rachel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi morgan,
you can say no, but i would encourage you to push yourself a little beyond your comfort zone here. you said you don't know if you have the guts to read in front of everyone, so maybe you do and you'll surprise yourself.
services are not a performance. no one is judging, they are not allowed to applaud, they don't care about the quality. it is a blessing to read from the torah, and to hear it read. G-d doesn't care about the quality and neither does the congregation.
if you want, you can decline to do it on the high holidays, where the crowds will be bigger, and ask if maybe you could do it on a regular shabbat instead, as a warm up, to get you used to it.
are you READING an aliyah, or having one. if you are reading from the torah, that is a bigger deal and takes preparation. but if they just invited you to do an aliyah, that's just the prayers before and after, and someone else will do the actual torah reading. it's much easier, and they will help you with those prayers.
i say go for it. show these new people and your new classmates that you have the guts to do this. it is a big deal but you can do it. they'll all be impressed.
2007-08-07 16:04:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is an honor and not to be dismissed lightly, even the greatest singers in the world have" nerves" before a concert. It's natural that you feel nervous, Think about the honor being bestowed on you and accept.
You should read the piece out of the Torah a few times to familiarize yourself with it and then just stand up and read it. Remember all who are listening to you are not judging you, they will respect you for doing this and afterwords YOU WILL FEEL GREAT
2007-08-11 11:54:29 · answer #3 · answered by gone! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shalom. Being called to the Torah requires no excuse. A simple no is sufficient, and required by your distraction at this time.
2007-08-07 15:58:56 · answer #4 · answered by Fr. Al 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Say thank you for the honor,however it's with deep regrets I must decline the invitation. Leave it at that. If pressed for an explanation just say you have other obligations for that day.
2007-08-07 22:07:31 · answer #5 · answered by D squared 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said it perfectly. "Thank you but I must decline until I feel more comfortable with the people of my new synagogue as well as with my new city. Perhaps next year. Thank you again. "
Shalom.
2007-08-07 15:57:16 · answer #6 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"I'm sorry, I have other plans."
It doesn't matter if your "other plans" are to watch TV or paint your nails.
If it is truly just your nerves you are worrying about, and you would really like to do it, then say so. Perhaps they have a smaller gathering you could address, and later work your way up to the larger one.
Good luck!
2007-08-07 17:44:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about a simple:
"No, thank you"?
No justification is necessary.
,
2007-08-07 15:53:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋