Shabbat Celebrations
Shabbat Shalom!
From Friday evening until Saturday night, Shabbat is more than just a day off from labor. It is a day of physical and spiritual delight, a day for simply being, inhabiting the moment. It’s a day of living the dream of a loving and just community, where no one serves or rules over another.
At Temple Bnai Israel, our Shabbat celebrations are as unique as many of the things we do. From Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday night, to Saturday’s services, our Shabbat celebrations blend tradition, with a little fun, and a good helping of participation.
Bagel & Bible
Once a month, we like to mix things up with our Saturday morning Shabbat services. Instead of starting with prayer, we start with Bagel & Bible! A relaxed and welcoming gathering where we eat a little, learn a little, and then have an abbreviated Shabbat service.
Really Unique Friday Night Services
Lots of Jews don’t like to pray, but almost all of us like to nosh, socialize, and even learn. That’s why we’ve put the Fun back in Friday Night and the Cool back in Kabbalat Shabbat with a rotation of ways to celebrate Shabbat together!
Each Friday, we do things a little differently. Whether it’s our T.G.I Shabbes – Wine & Cheese Shabbat, or skipping the synagogue altogether for a social and conversational dinner hosted by different members of the congregation. Trust us when we say you’ve probably never seen anything like this…and it’s probably exactly what you’re looking for!
1st Friday: Come Let Us Rejoice!
A celebration of Shabbat with a traditional Friday night service.
2nd Friday: T.G.I. Shabbes
A Wine & Cheese Shabbat! We welcome Shabbat with a little good wine, a little cheese, a little learning…and a lot of music & friendship. Truly a unique Shabbat celebration if there ever was one.
3rd Friday: Tikkun Olam Vanefesh
A Shabbat service of healing…for the Soul and the World! We marvel at the majesty and fragility of the physical world, commit ourselves to love, and the healing waters of “Miriam’s Well” refresh us as we “march together out of Egypt.”
4th Friday: Shabbat Dinner
And not just any Shabbat dinner…we often hold these dinners in the home of a member of the congregation. A great way to connect and rejoice.
And for those months where we have a 5th Friday…the service style will be the choice of that nights’ leader.
At all of our Shabbat gatherings, whether it’s a “service” or a “celebration,” like dinner or T.G.I.Shabbes, we always say Kaddish for those in mourning or observing a Yahrzeit.
We’ve got some resources for leaders and participants in our Shabbat services and celebrations here!
Together at temple
What is “Together at Temple?”
Our community thrives because our members are “there for each other”. And whether it’s enriching each other's Shabbat celebrations, arranging for a Kiddush lunch, or making sure that there’s a minyan for those who wish to say Kaddish, it’s about providing our members an experience.
Together at Temple: Let us know when you’re coming!
It’s good to see one another on Shabbat. It helps strengthen our roots and connections, both communally and spiritually. Those are good reasons to put some dates on the calendar and make sure you get to Temple (whether in-person or on-line) several times a year, even if you’re not a weekly attender. Another reason, especially during summer and other vacation periods, is that it helps assure minyan for our fellow members who feel the need for one, whether for saying Kaddish or just for a full davvening. Oh, and food: When you come in-person, you help provide a little kiddush or a T.G.I.Shabbes spread. Everyone likes a little nosh! (When we resume Bagel-and-Bible gatherings, the Temple will provide the bagels.)
Each High Holiday season, Temple members put some “Together at Temple” dates both on their calendar and on the Temple’s calendar at the volunteer-coordination website LotsaHelpingHands. Members are welcome to opt out of “Together at Temple,” but for those who don’t, please note that our Temple Administrator will sign you up for dates that need to be filled if you don’t choose your own dates.
You can find details about how to participate by contacting us at office@templebnaiisrael.org or 860-423-3743
Is it required? Of course not! We realize that some people can’t assume the responsibility, and many of those that do sign up are already regular attendees for Shabbat. It’s about giving back where & when you can!
Thanks! See you (virtually?) at the Temple!