Prayer & Worship


Worship is at the heart of synagogue life. At Beth Israel, we offer a variety of worship experiences.


Our services weave together Hebrew and English, readings and songs, modern music, and traditional chanting.


In a typical month, we offer weekly Shabbat services, Saturday morning study, and a Tot Shabbat for the youngest among us.


Shabbat

  • Kabbalat Shabbat Services are held on Friday evenings at 5:30 p.m.

  • Shabbat Morning Study meets each Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the Cohen Library.


  • Shabbat Morning Services take place on occasional Saturday mornings, usually at 10:30 AM.  We are in the Wolff Chapel for many such services, and in the Engelberg Sanctuary for B'nai Mitzvah and special occasions.  (Check the Calendar for exact dates and location.)

  • Tot Shabbat services are specially designed for our youngest congregants from infants through age 7, and feature worship through music, movement, and storytelling. Services are scheduled once a month and are followed by Shabbat dinner and a craft project.

  • Beach Services are held each summer on the Huntington Ave. Beach in Margate. Bring your beach chair.

High Holy Days

During Rosh Hashanah and  Yom Kippur, we offer a beautiful and meaningful series of services that include those in the Gusti Engelberg sanctuary, concurrent children’s services and programming, Torah study, and a Tashlich Service and JPlace Young Children’s Services on the Huntington Avenue Beach.  Over the past two years we have introduced an informal Second Day of Rosh Hashanah service, and we continue to explore a blend of tradition and creativity as these sacred days enhance and deepen our lives.

Festivals

  • On Sukkot, we gather outside under the stars in our sukkah for a service and snacks.


  • On Simchat Torah, the end touches the beginning as we unroll the scroll, complete the reading, and then start all over again.


  • On Chanukah, we celebrate and sing and eat, bringing light, love, and latkes into our lives.

  • On Purim, we share the story through a creative spiel (skit/play) that’s fun for all ages.

  • On Passover, we teach the tradition of the seder.

  • On Shavuot, we stand at Sinai and experience the Ten Commandments.  Some years we hold a Confirmation service and welcome our young adults to the bimah (the raised platform at the front of the Sanctuary).



Other Holidays

The Martin Luther King Service is held during MLK Weekend and features the Beth Israel/NAACP awards presented to area high school students.




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