SHABBAT AT TEMPLE BETH-EL

Rest for the body.   Refreshment for the soul.  Nourishment for the spirit.

Healing for the heart.  Inspiration for life.

FRIDAY EVENING – KABBALAT SHABBAT

Shabbat is a precious time in our community.  We gather to welcome the Sabbath with song and prayer and learning and conversation.  Our service draws on both Hebrew and English from the Reform movement’s newest siddur, Mishkan T’filah. The beautiful poetry and alternative readings allow for many ways to address God and think about the meaning of our lives. We pause each service to share our moments of gratitude from the week as well as to offer up prayers for healing of the body and soul. Our rabbi leads us in learning or discussion to expand our understanding of Torah or Jewish values and to apply them to our own lives. 

Newcomers and visitors of any religious backgrounds are always welcome.

Our services begin at 8 pm each Friday, except the first Friday of the month.

First Friday is a 7:30 pm service that often features our Junior Choir.  It is preceded by an optional potluck Shabbat dinner at 6:30 pm.  RSVP’s for the dinner are preferred but not required – so drop by any time with a main dish, side dish or salad.

All Friday services are followed by a delicious Oneg Shabbat as we sit around tables and share stories or get to know each other better.

SATURDAY MORNING – STUDY AND PRAYER

Shabbat morning services begin at 10:00 or 10:30 am (please check the website or the newsletter).  The service includes either Torah reading from the Sefer Torah or Torah study from the Chumash.

A few times a year we celebrate a young person becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in our congregation. On those Shabbat mornings we have a formal service at 10:30 am in our main sanctuary including Torah reading.  These services are also open to the entire community.

TOT SHABBAT

Once a month on a Saturday morning at 10:30 am from September through June, we have a Shabbat experience for our toddlers and preschoolers, ages 2-5, along with their siblings and grown-ups. It is a chance for little ones to do Jewish, and for young families to meet each other. We sing child-friendly prayers and songs, march with stuffed Torahs, do a hands-on-activity and have a snack, too.  There is a special email list to receive Tot Shabbat reminders. Contact the temple office to be added.  Tot Shabbat, like all services at Temple Beth-El, is open to the entire community.

“It warms my heart when I see over a dozen children enjoying themselves thoroughly at our monthly Tot Shabbat.  My son loves coming to the service to learn about Judaism, sing songs with the Rabbi, do projects with other children, and have fun.” – Stuart L.