Services

WORSHIP

Worship is the heart of Congregation Beth El.  Our weekly Shabbat services begin at 7:00 p.m.  A few times a year, we have special Shabbat service times, so please visit our calendar page to double-check the service times.

The music at Congregation Beth El is a mix of classical and contemporary. Our soloist is Mrs. Megan Pierce, and she is accompanied by Mr. Jeffrey Ford on the organ. They offer classical/cantorial music at services roughly twice a month, and Rabbi Katz offers contemporary melodies on guitar on the other weeks.

Throughout the year, our congregation celebrates the full calendar of Jewish holidays - through worship,  study, and celebration. Please check our calendar page to see the upcoming holidays.

Here is a wonderful article from the Reform Movement called "Everything You Need to Know About Shabbat Services."

MAY I ATTEND A SERVICE?

We get this question quite a lot - and the answer is YES!  Our community has a proud history of welcoming visitors to our worship services.  And since Jews do not proselytize - it is a no-pressure visit - just come and enjoy.  

Our services are a mixture of Hebrew and English (mostly English), and the service format is very comfortable for visitors.  We regularly welcome visiting groups from colleges and churches to our Shabbat services - and afterward, Rabbi Katz offers a talk that includes a look at our Torah scrolls.  

Many people ask about what to wear if you visit.  We often say nice casual (no jeans or shorts).  We look forward to having you visit with us.

MUSIC

Throughout the year, we have developed a number of important musical programs at Beth El, in addition to our Shabbat worship music. 

HIGH HOLY DAY CHOIR 
This talented four-part ensemble is with the congregation during all of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. 

SHABBAT SHIRAH 
Each year, in late January or early February, Beth El celebrates the Torah portion of B'shelach, where we read Shirat Ha-yam "The Song of the Sea" as the Israelites crossed through the Sea of Reeds in Exodus 15. We celebrate this special Torah reading with a special musical service - often led by the Beth El Band (an ensemble of local musicians,) or a performance of classical musicians, or we might have a four-part choir sharing beautiful arrangements of Shabbat liturgy. 

SIMCHAT TORAH / KLEZMER CELEBRATION 
On the Erev Shabbat closest to Simchat Torah (usually in October) the Beth El Band is enlarged to include three more musicians making a full klezmer band, with trumpet, trombone, and clarinet. At this special service, the Klezmer Band plays a mix of classic klezmer songs and chasidic melodies. 

SHABBAT-CHANUKAH 
On the Shabbat during Chanukah (jokingly referred to as Sha-banukah), Beth El fills up with members and guests to celebrate the Festival of Lights. At this service, Rabbi Katz invites members of the congregation to share their musical talents. 

CHANU-KLEZ 
Because the Beth El Klezmer band has become so popular, we now offer a community-wide klezmer concert during the Chanukah season. The band plays a mix of Chanukah standards, klezmer melodies, and some of Rabbi Katz's original songs. More information will be available soon about this year's performance.