The observance of Shabbat is a central focus of congregational life at Bet Ha’am, and – as reflected by the list below – we offer a variety of worship experiences and Shabbat programs. We hold services every Friday night and Saturday morning, as well as on Jewish holidays. Worship services are open to the entire community.
Evening Shabbat Services: (Friday)
Services are held each Friday evening at 7:30 pm except for the second Friday of the month, when a family service is held at 6:30 pm. Regular services may include sermons, teaching sessions, or special guest speakers. Worship is followed by an oneg Shabbat, where congregants can share the Shabbat spirit by mingling informally and chatting while they enjoy sweets provided by a member of the congregation. Family services are sometimes led by one of the Religious School classes.
Shabbat Morning (Saturday)
Services are held at 10:00 am and often include celebration of young people (and sometimes adults) becoming bar or bat mitzvah. The entire congregation is welcome and encouraged to join in Shabbat worship when our youth and adults are called to the Torah, and community members always have the opportunity for an aliyah in recognition of their important role in supporting our students.
Shalom Yeladim (Sunday)
Shalom Yeladim is a monthly program for three- to five-year-olds and their parents. This parent-led program focuses on the Jewish year and its holidays and values. The class explores songs, traditions and foods related to each holiday, as well as the reasons for our holiday traditions. The class uses storytelling, singing and art projects as avenues to learning. Shalom Yeladim is held from 9:00 am - 10:00 am.
Shabbat Morning Torah Study (Saturday)
A wonderful educational opportunity awaits all who attend weekly Torah Study on Saturday mornings, beginning at 9:00 am. The classes, led by our Rabbi, focus on the Torah reading for the week. The study is followed at 10:00 am by the Shabbat morning service.
Congregation Bet Ha'am offers a healing service once a month for those who may be in need of healing themselves or who wish to pray on behalf of loved ones and friends who are suffering. The service includes special blessings and prayers for coping with chronic illness and immediate crises.
High Holy Days
Since its founding in 1985, Bet Ha’am has been committed to being a house of worship where all feel welcome. In keeping with this goal, Bet Ha’am invites anyone seeking a place to worship on Shabbat and other holidays to join us for services. During High Holy Day services, we all -- members and non-members alike -- wear name tags to allow us to get to know each other better. Members receive their name tags automatically. We ask non-members who wish to attend High Holy Day services to make out a name tag upon arriving.
To ensure the strength of our synagogue community, we must have volunteer and financial support year-round. We, therefore, rely on people of good will to contribute their fair share. We anticipate that those who choose to attend our Sabbath or holiday services year after year will recognize the importance of formally joining our community. Our dues policy, based on the ability to pay, ensures that everyone can afford to join. We welcome you to become members of the Bet Ha’am family.
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