Shabbat Services

Everyone is welcome to attend Shabbat services at B’nai Israel! If you are not a member, please contact our temple office (203-336-1858) in advance so we can arrange a welcoming a Shabbat experience. 

Each week we strive to create warm, welcoming, participatory worship services that help us to connect with Judaism, deepen our learning and experience the spiritual renewal, peace, joy and sense of celebration that Shabbat can bring.

• Members and visitors are warmly greeted before services.
• People of all ages and family configurations are made to feel welcome. We value the presence of children and young people.
• Services offer intellectual stimulation – a chance to gain new insights into Torah, Jewish tradition or contemporary Jewish issues.
• The newest Reform siddur (prayer book), Mishkan T’filah, engages those schooled in Hebrew as well as those who prefer to utilize transliteration when praying in Hebrew. English readings add a measure of reflection and connection.
• Music is central to the worship experience.
• Lay people frequently help to lead parts of a service, read Torah and Haftara, give d’rashot, and lead minyanim.

Our Typical Shabbat Calendar Includes:

Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday Evening)

• Pre-Oneg – We gather for something to drink and a little nosh, as we greet one another, kibbitz, meet new people and welcome all to prepare for Shabbat.
• Kabbalat Shabbat – Kabbalat Shabbat means “welcoming Shabbat.” We make a holy space in our week to reconnect with ourselves, one another, our people and with God. At B’nai Israel, we light the candles in the sanctuary to begin our service. Sometimes, our rabbis and cantor are joined by our congregational band or other musicians. You also can join the service via Zoom.

Shabbat Morning

• Services – Our early Shabbat Service is engaging, participatory and lasts about an hour. Come rain, sleet or snow, the chapel is filled with worshipers enjoying an intimate experience complete with morning prayers, Torah service and commentary.
•  Bagel Breakfast – Sponsored by the B’nai Israel Brotherhood.
• Torah Study – We learn Torah together every Shabbat morning after the early service. Some participate every week, and others drop in when they can. Everyone is welcome!
• Bet Mitvah Services – As part of our services most every week, we celebrate the delights of a teenage boy or girl being called to the Torah as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. We also sometimes expand the congregational simchas with a baby naming, marriage blessing or other joyful opportunity.