Torah Blessings for Interfaith Partners

These blessings were developed specifically to honor parents of non-Jewish backgrounds at their child’s bar or bat mitzvah, but could be used for any person of another background as part of the Torah reading service. 

Before the Reading of the Torah:

Parent of background or identity other than Judaism recites: 

Blessed is the Source of Life, who has brought me into loving relationship with the Jewish people and the Torah. Blessed is the Source of Torah.

Jewish Parent recites the standard Hebrew blessing before the Torah reading.

TORAH READING

After the Reading of the Torah:

Jewish Parent recites the standard Hebrew blessing after the Torah reading.

Parent of background or identity other than Judaism recites: 

Bless us as one, Source of Life, by the light of your Presence and Teaching.

Based on the current practice used by Rabbi Toba Spitzer of Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, with acknowledgement to Rabbi Brian Walt for his development of an earlier version.