Services
Shabbat worship at Beth Israel is a very special time for all of our congregants. Shabbat is a gift from God that every week we pause to set aside the demands of our daily lives, reflect on our accomplishments and strive to set new goals. We offer a wide variety of worship opportunities to enhance your and your family’s worship experiences. All are welcome to any of our services.
Shabbat Friday Night Sanctuary Services
This service offers members an uplifting more traditional service led by one of our Rabbis along with our Cantor and accomplished choir and Choir Director. Congregants participate in both prayer and music, joining in to sing familiar favorite melodies as well as learning new ones. There are also moments for reflection during solos and silent prayer. Our B’nai Mitzvah assist in leading the service and share the bimah with their families for the memorable moment the Torah is passed from generation to generation. The names of those whose yahrzeits are being observed are read along with the names of those in need of healing as the congregation offers Mi Sheberakh, the prayer for healing, and the Rabbi offers an inspiring sermon on a major spiritual or social topic.
Shabbat Friday Night Chapel Services
Our Chapel service will appeal to those who prefer a more contemporary and informal service with lots of music from guitars to keyboard, led by one of our Rabbis and assisted by our members and often some of our Religious School students. This service also includes taking the Torahs throughout the congregation along with Mi Sheberakh, the prayer for healing. Because of the more intimate setting, members are asked to stand and recall the names of loved ones whose yahrzeit anniversaries are being observed that week.
Attention – Parents with Young Children
Do
you need a few moments to breathe? Could you use a few minutes for some
personal reflection? Would you like to join us for services on Friday
night? Come to Congregation Beth Israel, and we’ll provide babysitting
for your children! Babysitting is available on Friday nights when there are no special Children's Services, i.e. Tot Shabbat, Family Shabbat. Please make your reservation by Thursday. Babysitting is only for our members. No drop-ins please. Contact Carol Danek at (713) 771-6221 x323 or cdanek@beth-israel.org for a reservation.
Shabbat Morning Minyan in the Chapel
A small, highly participatory and inspiring early Saturday morning service features prayer, singing and Torah discussion in a more informal, relaxed and friendly setting in our Gordon Chapel. Volunteers take turns leading the service, reading from the Torah and delivering a D’var Torah. No experience is required and all are invited to worship and participate.
Shabbat Morning Services in Sanctuary or Chapel
Our
Shabbat celebration continues on Saturday mornings with a warm,
participatory community service led by our Rabbis and young adults
becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Our B’nai Mitzvah read from the Torah
which is followed by their D’var Torah, their personal commentary on
lessons we can learn from that week’s Torah portion.
Torah Study
Held
each Saturday morning before our main service, this group delves into
discussions on the week’s Torah portion and its meanings and nuances.
Led by one our clergy, our featured Scholar-in-Residence or other
special guest speakers, extensive knowledge is not required and all are
welcome to participate in these often lively sessions held in the Board Room.
Family Service
Occasionally, we offer a special
Family Service. This is an upbeat, contemporary and child-centered
service that includes traditional Shabbat prayers as well as an
age-appropriate story and lots of singing and music accompanied by
guitars. Children are encouraged to participate in many ways including
carrying his or her own "Torah" through the congregation.
Tot Shabbat Service
On the 3rd Friday of every month one of our Rabbis will lead us in Tot Shabbat - a fun celebration of Shabbat for our youngest members.The evening will include a healthy dinner, songs, a story, and Shabbat blessings for the whole family. This program is geared for children from newborn to kindergarten. Tot Shabbat will be in Levit Hall (formerly the Assembly Hall) – please enter the building through the Shlenker doors. Reservations are required for dinner.
Shabbat Play Date
If your kids are in kindergarten or younger, you don’t want to miss our monthly Shabbat Play Date! We will meet 10:00 – 11:30 am on the 2nd Saturday morning of each month for songs, bagels, games, and a story. One of our Rabbis will lead our Shabbat Play Date in Levit Hall – you can enter the building through the Shlenker doors. Older siblings and friends are, of course, welcome … but our activities will be geared to the younger kids.
Musical Shabbats
A few times a year, Congregation Beth Israel presents an exciting musical Shabbat celebration featuring Cantor Daniel Mutlu,
special musical guests and the Beth Israel Choir accompanied by a live
professional band that may include piano, drums, guitars, saxophone,
cello, violin, trumpets and more. This joyous and fun family Shabbat
celebration promises to move you to song while lifting spirit and soul.
Study, Meditation and Havdalah Program
Our next Study, Meditation and Havdalah program will be held in October at a time and location to be announced. Please make plans to join members and friends for an evening of study and meditation. Guided by Rabbi Scott, we will spend time discussing Jewish texts, experiencing a guided Meditation and sharing the end of Shabbat together with a Havdalah ceremony. Families and friends are invited to join us. For additional information, please contact Rabbi Adrienne Scott at jnathan@beth-israel.org or (713) 771-6221 x. 329.
