Shabbat

Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest and worship, holds a special place in the hearts of believers. It is a time to reflect, connect, and celebrate the diversity of Jewish religious life. At our synagogue, we embrace the rich tapestry of backgrounds and practices that our members bring with them. Our goal is to offer a welcoming and engaging worship experience that caters to both newcomers and long-time members.

Inclusive and Participatory Worship

Led by our esteemed Rabbis, Cantor, and Rabbinic Interns, our egalitarian worship services are conducted in Hebrew and English. We understand the importance of inclusivity and provide transliterations in our prayerbook to make the service accessible to all. Our services are known for their participatory nature, with music playing a central role in creating an uplifting atmosphere that resonates with all who attend. Visitors often express their desire to return and worship with us again.

Healing Prayers

Every Friday evening, before chanting the Aleinu, we offer a version of the Mi Shebeirach for Refuah, the prayer for emotional and physical healing. During this powerful prayer, our Rabbi or service leader reads aloud the names of individuals who are in need of healing. If you wish to include your own name or the name of a loved one, kindly reach out to the synagogue office by Thursday before Shabbat. We read both English and Hebrew names, respecting the tradition and anonymity desired by those being mentioned. To ensure privacy, we request that you seek permission before submitting someone else’s name. Names remain on our Healing Prayers List for six weeks, but if you need an earlier removal or an extension, please contact Isabel Benebgui-Montilla at [email protected] or 718-522-2070 ext. 138.

Live Stream Services

Can’t make it to our synagogue? No problem! We offer live-streaming services every Friday evening at 6:30pm. Additionally, starting in 2014, we provide streaming for all our High Holy Days services at Plymouth Church. To enjoy these live-streamed services, simply use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or any other browser that supports Flash Version 9.0 or higher.

Shabbat Services and Chavurah (Torah Study)

We gather for Friday evening services in our beautiful sanctuary and host Saturday morning Torah Study sessions in our library. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are celebrated on Shabbat mornings, and our Rabbi occasionally leads informal services tailored for 4th-6th graders and their families. Festival services are also held throughout the year. For more information on our Family Shabbats, please visit our Religious School Shabbat page or our Parenting Center page for Tot Shabbat and events catered to our youngest members.

Erev Shabbat Services

Our egalitarian Friday evening Shabbat services begin at 6:30pm in the serene ambiance of our Jerusalem stone and pear-wood Sanctuary. Throughout the school year, we have special services on the first Friday of each month called Shabbat B’Yachad (Shabbat Together). These family-oriented services are partly led by our Religious School classes and are followed by a potluck dinner open to the community. We also offer childcare from 6:30pm until the end of services year-round.

Chavurah (Torah Study)

Every Saturday morning at 9:30am, we hold Chavurah sessions for Torah Study. Led by Rabbi Hara Person, Rabbi Lippe, or local rabbis, these sessions take place over Zoom. They include a brief prayer service followed by lively discussions on the weekly Torah portion. Coffee, juice, bagels, and pastries are served, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. All attendees are encouraged to bring their own chumash (English Torah translation and commentary) or use one of ours.

Shabbat Morning Services

On many Saturdays, from September through June, we celebrate the coming of age of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at our Shabbat morning services. These services, including Torah readings, take place in our Sanctuary and begin at 10:30am.

Welcoming Shabbat and Tot Shabbat

On most Friday mornings, Rabbi Lippe, Fred the Frog, and Nod the Dragon lead Welcoming Shabbat, a half-hour session of song and blessings to welcome Shabbat. This session, which includes table blessings on grape juice and challah, is perfect for infants and toddlers accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or caregiver. Join us anytime!

First Saturday of each month, from 9:30am during the school year, Lauren Dubin leads Tot Shabbat. This fun-filled hour includes song, prayer, storytelling, activities, and noshing. It is designed for 2-5 year olds and their families and concludes with a kiddush of grape juice, challah, and cookies.

We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant and inclusive Shabbat services, where the spirit of community and the joy of worship intertwine. Come and experience the beauty and depth of Jewish religious life with us. Shabbat Shalom!

Check out our wonderful Ark Designer, Alex Gruss’ website www.studiogruss.com