Start with your family and customs
Tell the cantor whether you are celebrating a wedding or Bar Mitzvah, who is attending and which prayer traditions and songs matter to you. Agree who leads each service, who reads Torah and Haftarah, and what the groom or Bar Mitzvah boy has prepared. Coordinate names and family honours with the gabbai beforehand.
Connect the programme to the venue
Create a schedule that leaves time for prayers, meals and rest. Confirm serving times, access to private rooms and checkout after Shabbat. Let the venue know when singing and family blessings are planned. Appoint one family contact who knows the arrangements so the hosts can enjoy their celebration. When planning from overseas, confirm dates, local timings and all venue arrangements before travelling.
Define what the booking includes
Check which services and meals are covered, whether hosting and words of Torah are included, and how many vocalists will attend. A Shabat Hatan choir also requires agreed meals and accommodation for the team. The price depends on the programme, ensemble, location and hospitality arrangements, so compare what quotations include rather than only the final figure.
Before Shabbat and after it ends
An acoustic welcome before Shabbat and a musical Havdalah after Shabbat can include instruments and amplification. Their timing, location and equipment are arranged in advance. During Shabbat itself, my accompaniment is vocal only. For weekday celebrations, a live instrumental ensemble can be arranged, with an effort to book musicians who also sing for richer vocal harmonies.
Shabat Chatan with Netanel Kohen — enquire about your date ↗
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