About Us
Shabbat Services
What to expect at a Shabbat Shacrit Service:
Our Shacrit service shares many elements of similarity with Traditional Shacrit Services - but it also has many noteable differences.
If you have questions as you read through this feel free to contact our congregational leader by clicking here.
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Our Shacrit Service begins at 10:30 every Shabbat morning - and is typically over at 12:30 p.m. - yeah - we know it's not short. But we reject the microwave worship of this A.D.D. American society! We want to stretch out in our time of worshipping God - because He is worth it!
People dress in a variety of ways for Shabbat services. Many come in jeans and t-shirts, and many come dressed in slacks and jackets. And honestly? Don't stress how you dress! God is more concerned that you are desiring Him, than impressing others!
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As you enter our congregation on Shabbat you will have an opportunity to greet some of our members, grab a Siddur (prayer book), and prepare yourself to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
We typically begin with the traditional "Barchu" or call to worship. From this liturgical piece we enter into a time of worshipping God through liturgy, individual prayer, song, and dance. In this time we will often recite traditional prayers like the Sh'ma, portions of the Amidah, and Kedushah.
From this time of worship we move to worship God through the reading of His Torah. We recite several of the traditional blessings as part of the Torah Service. We invite both men and women to make aliyah (read from Torah) in our congregation. The reader of the Torah portion will read in Hebrew and translate phrase by phrase (as they read) into English.
As part of our Torah service we often pause to pray for needs of individuals within the congregation. It is important for us to love one another in this way - and we love the sense of community fostered as we support one another in prayer.
After the Torah service our Congregational Leader will deliver a drash - though we occasionally have guest speakers. Click here to listen to messages on our Media Player.
Our service usually concludes with The Mourner's Kaddish, and The Aaronic Benediction.
After announcements we sing the hamotzee over the bread - and transform our space into a potluck oneg! Feel free to share and enjoy this time of fellowship!