Shabbat & Weekday Services
Welcome!
All are welcome at our weekday services on Wednesday mornings and at our Friday and Saturday Shabbat services. Our website calendar provides dates and times for each of the services described below.
Shabbat Morning Service-Maker Volunteers
Our community Shabbat services are lay-led and rely on a core of volunteers with Rabbi Benjamin. We want to make sure everyone is aware of the opportunity to contribute and learn. We want to expand and diversify the cohort who make Shabbat morning community services happen. If you are interested in learning more about how to plug in, please contact the Havurah office.
Wednesday Mornings
Our Wednesday morning minyan is for people who want to incorporate a regular prayer practice into their week and those saying Kaddish. It is usually 8:30 to 9:00 am, but the start time is earlier for Rosh Chodesh and some holiday observances. Check our online calendar for updates.
Friday Evening Services
Please check our online calendar to confirm the dates and times below and to RSVP. Also, check our calendar for additional Friday services that will be scheduled throughout the year.
Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service
This musical and spirited service is led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. All are welcome at the service, and no RSVP is required. The registration deadline for the catered vegetarian dinner is noon on the Wednesday before or when the maximum number of seats have been filled, whichever comes first. Childcare is available. 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 pm Service.
Dorot – Short & Sweet Shabbat
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, and Tanja Lux. 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Potluck.
Saturday Morning Services
Please check our online calendar for confirmations and updates to the information below:
Saturday Services for Everyone
Community Minyan
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. 10-12 pm, Sept. 4, 18, 25; Oct. 9, 30; Nov. 6; Dec. 11, 25; Jan. 1, 15; Feb. 5, 12, 19; Mar. 5, 19, 26; Apr. 16, 23; May 7, 21; Jun. 11, 25; Jul. 9, 23; Aug. 13, 27
Contemplative Shabbat
We will chant verses and spend time in silent prayer or meditation, then connect through Torah discussion and share blessings by chanting a few aliyot. Led by Rabbi Benjamin. 10-12 pm, Sept. 11; Jan. 22
Text & Torah
Torah study and bagel nosh followed by a shortened morning service. Led by Diane Chaplin or Rabbi Benjamin. 10-12 pm, Dec. 18; Feb. 12; Mar. 26
HIAS Refugee Shabbat
We will join congregations nationwide in dedicating our Shabbat services to honoring refugees and asylum seekers. 7 pm, Mar. 4; 10 am Mar. 5
Saturday Services Especially for Families
Tot Shabbat
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings and storytelling. 10:30-11:30 am, Oct. 9; Nov. 6; Dec. 11; Jan. 22; Feb. 19; Apr. 2; May 7; Jun. 11
Discovering Shabbat Morning: Learners’ Minyan
This upbeat, interactive service focuses on the structure, key themes and prayers of the morning service. Especially for families with youth in Grades 5-7. 10-11:30 am, Nov. 20; Apr. 2
Family Shabbat
Fabulous morning of singing, storytelling and Torah learning. Especially for families with youth in Grades K-6. 10:30-12 pm, Jan. 29
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. You can also see all of our Shabbat songs here.
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
Goleil Instructions - The Goleil or Gelilah dresses the Torah when a reading is done.
Magbiah Instructions - The Magbiah lifts the Torah scroll after the reading
Deborah Eisenbach-Budner’s Illustrated Guide to a Shabbat Morning Service (PDF)
Order of Service Chart (PDF) – This chart walks you through each part of the Shabbat morning service, including page numbers in our siddur.