Shabbat

Congregation Beth Israel welcomes you to join us in celebrating our day of rest.  Being that most of our congregation comes from all different backgrounds, we offer several services to fit the needs of all.  Some prefer to attend Friday night, some Saturday morning, and even those that will attend both.  Below is a discription of our services:

Erev Shabbat

This is a traditional Reform service where we welcome and prepare for Shabbat.  We use our Siddurim, book of prayer, to guide our service.  There will also be an accompaning handout that provides some useful information and additional prayers.  We also hope that you will join us for an Oneg (snacks) following the service so that we may get to know you better!

Tot Shabbat

This monthly service is geared toward families with school-aged children.  Tot Shabbat is a short, informal, child-centered (and led) Shabbat service.  Children gain familiarity with the basic structure of a Jewish prayer service and some of the key highlights of the liturgy like the Shema.  There is lots of singing, crafts, a pot-luck dinner, and a great time for the whole family. For more info email: rabbi@congregationbethisrael.org.

Torah Study and Shabbat

Our Saturday morning service is a casual, open forum study of our weekly Torah portion.  Our discussions are very informative, and your questions are welcomed.  Immediately following our study, considering a minyan is present, we continue with a traditional Shabbat service.  We also encourage you to join us for a Nosh (snack) with Rabbi Charlie following the service. Torah Study information click HERE.

 The times of our Friday night services vary depending on the program or event.  Please look at our monthly calendar for times an programs.

You will need three things for this ritual: a glass of wine or other liquid, some fragrant spices, and a special Havdalah candle.

Wine
The first of the four havdalah blessings is made over wine or another liquid. If wine or grape juice is not used, you should substitute shehakol nih'yeh bid'varo (by whose will all things come to be) for borei p'ri hagafen (who creates the fruit of the vine).
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
(if using wine or grape juice) borei p'ri hagafen (Amein) Who creates the fruit of the vine (Amen)
(if using other liquids) shehakol nih'yeh bid'varo (Amein) Who made all things exist through His word (Amen)

Spices
The second blessing is recited over fragrant spices. The spices represent a compensation for the loss of the special sabbath spirit. The spices commonly used are cloves, cinnamon or bay leaves. They are commonly kept in a special decorated holder called a b'samim box.
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, borei minei v'samim (Amein) Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe, Who creates varieties of spices (Amen)

Fire
The third blessing is recited over the special, multi-wicked Havdalah candle. Havdalah candles can be obtained from Jewish gift stores. If you cannot obtain a Havdalah candle, you can hold two candles close together, so their flames overlap. I have also used party candles (long, very thin candles) that I warmed up and twisted together. Lighting a flame is a vivid way of marking the distinction between the sabbath and the weekday, because we cannot kindle a flame on the sabbath. After the blessing is recited, hold your hands up to the flame with curved fingers, so you can see the shadow of your fingers on your palms. This is done because it would be improper to recite a blessing for something and then not use the thing.
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
borei m'orei ha'eish (Amein) Who creates the light of the fire (Amen)

Havdalah
The final blessing is the havdalah blessing itself, the blessing over the separation of different things. The blessing is recited over the wine. After the blessing is complete, drink the wine. A few drops of wine are used to extinguish the flame from the candle.
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
hamav'dil bein kodesh l'chol Who separates between sacred and secular
bein or l'choshekh bein Yis'ra'eil la'amim between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations
bein yom hash'vi'i l'sheishet y'mei hama'aseh between the seventh day and the six days of labor
Barukh atah Adonai, hamav'dil bein kodesh l'chol (Amein). Blessed are You, Lord, who separates between sacred and secular. (Amen)