Shabbat & Weekday Services
All are welcome at our weekday and Shabbat services. Our website calendar provides dates and times for each of the following services.
Not only are all welcome to join us for our services, but all who are interested in leading a part of our Saturday morning service or reading Torah are invited to join our Leaders & Leyners email list. You'll receive helpful updates about the upcoming week's parsha and learn about opportunities to lead a part of the service, read some lines of Torah, or prepare a short drash with help from our rabbi or a Havaurah lay leader. Please let us know if you're interested in joining this dynamic group!
Wednesday Mornings
Our Wednesday Morning Minyan is for those saying Kaddish or not, for people who want to incorporate a regular prayer practice into their week. The minyan is 8:30 – 9:00 am, but check our online calendar for time changes for holiday observances.
Friday Evenings
Please check our online calendar to confirm the dates and times below and to register.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Join one of Portland’s most spirited gatherings where musical bliss fits the bill. Experience an hour of connection and pure joy. Check in with old friends and new ones too. Led by Rabbi Benjamin and our talented musicians and community members. Please register for dinner by publicized deadlines. Childcare is available. Dinner is at 6:30 pm, Service is at 7:30 pm, on Nov. 10, Dec. 15, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, and May 11.
Dorot – Short and Sweet Shabbat Services
Join us for this casual family-friendly and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Tanja Lux, and Ilene Moss. 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Potluck, on Nov. 17, Jan. 12, March 16, May 18, but check online calendar to confirm.
Saturday Mornings
Please check our online calendar for confirmations and updates to the information below:
Community Minyan
Our Community Minyan is a welcoming and spirited service that includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. Led by Rabbi Benjamin and community members. Childcare is available. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Text & Torah
Torah text study is followed by a shortened Saturday morning service led by Rabbi Benjamin or Diane Chaplin and Havurah members. We will serve breakfast and coffee, including bagels and lox and gluten-free options. Please arrive early to eat before the study begins at 10:00 am. Childcare is available.
Tot Shabbat
Young children (0-5) and their parents will celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings and storytelling. We will touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat morning service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing and Torah. Afterward we will enjoy an informal oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. 10:30 – 11:30 am. Four or five Saturdays during the year, with dates TBA.
Resources
Friday Night
This is the blessing for lighting the candles of Shabbat, sung by Havurah member and musician Ilene Safyan. You can also hear Ilene sing the kiddush for Friday night Shabbat.
Saturday Morning
Being called up for an aliyah is an honor. These are the words to the blessings before and after a Torah reading. You can listen to recordings of the blessings below:
Blessing before the Torah reading
Blessing after the Torah reading
Deborah Eisenbach-Budner’s Illustrated Guide to a Shabbat Morning Service (PDF)
Order of Service Chart (PDF) – This valuable chart walks you through each part of the Shabbat morning service, including page numbers in the siddur, and commentary to give direction as to who may lead the various prayers. This chart is a companion to the two disk CD set of the complete Shabbat morning service by Michele Goldschmidt. You may obtain these from the Havurah office.
