Services
Our services are a combination of traditional and contemporary prayer and music. Each service includes lively congregational melodies, traditional chant (nusach), meaningful English readings and explanations of the prayers, and a thought-provoking sermon or brief Torah study. Our talented choir adds their voices to our services several times a year on Friday evenings, as well as on many Shabbat mornings and holidays.
We invite you to read from the Torah on Saturday morning Shabbat services! Click HERE to sign up and to view preparatory materials or contact our Ritual committee at Ritual@bethelohim.org.
Join us for these minyanim:
All services require a ZOOM password. You can obtain the password by checking the Star-Lite, by emailing ritual@bethelohim.org or by calling the CBE office at 978-263-3061.
- Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv, Friday evenings, throughout the year. The service times and service types vary. See BELOW for schedule, descriptions, siddur and ZOOM link.
- Shacharit, Shabbat mornings 9:30 am throughout the year, except July and August. When there is no B’nai Mitzvah or Holiday service, there is Torah study at 10:30, followed by concluding prayers.
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ZOOM Link: https://zoom.us/j/9782633061
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Siddur: Lev Shalem
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- Shacharit Sunday (Yom Rishon) 8:45 am on days when there is a Brotherhood breakfast. Please consult the calendar for dates.
- ZOOM Link: https://zoom.us/j/9782633061
- Siddur: Siddur Sim Shalom
- Mincha Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 4:00 pm (3:45 pm during December) throughout the year. This is a 10 minute service.
- ZOOM Link: https://zoom.us/j/9177106006
- Siddur: Chaveirim Kol Yisraeil This Siddur is available for pickup at the Synagogue for no charge.
Friday Night Services
Starting in February 2021, our Friday night services are experimental and diverse. See the description of the various services below. You will find the type of service and the correct service start times for each Friday service in the right hand column of this page, in the website calendar and the STAR-Lite.
All services will have the major components of the Jewish liturgy, including a Hebrew Barchu, Shema, and traditional Mourner’s Kaddish.
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Tot Shabbat usually at 5:30 pm & Music and Movement usually at 6:15 pm
Tot Shabbat usually at 5:30 pm
We welcome Shabbat with a service rich with music, imagination, prayers and movement, led by Rabbi Mike Rothbaum and Director of Education, Beth Goldstein. All preschoolers and kindergartners, their siblings, and families are invited to sing, dance, and learn in the sanctuary.
For more information contact Beth Goldstein, Director of Education at bethg@bethelohim.org.
ZOOM Link: https://zoom.us/j/9782633061
Music and Movement usually at 6:15 pm
Dance and movement in prayer are Jewish traditions going back to Miriam dancing at the Sea, in Exodus 15:20. Jewish traditions as diverse as Chasidism and Jewish Renewal use the power of movement to enhance the prayer experience. For example, Rabbi Mike will show us how he visualizes and actualizes the blessings of the Amidah through movement. There will be music and chanting as well. It is intended for all ages. (For the time being, Ruach Shabbat is on hiatus, and this service will take its place in the schedule.)
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Words of the Heart: A (Mostly) English Shabbat Service usually at 7:30 pm
This will be a mostly English service using our previous siddur, Gates of Prayer. Many of us grew up with this siddur, and you may have one at home. Feel free to use it! We will be using an interpretive liturgy with a few familiar songs and prayers. This service should be accessible both to Jews who have chosen not to attend services, and to those who feel an emotional connection to English prayer, both as an entry point to Jewish prayer, and as a meaningful prayer experience in itself.
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Tefillah b’Ivrit (“Prayer in Hebrew”) Traditional/Egalitarian Hebrew minyan usually at 6:15 pm
There will be a robust Kabbalat Shabbat (the prayers before Barchu — be prepared to sing!) followed by Maariv (the evening service), in Hebrew. (We promise a short English drash!) If you are unaccustomed to traditional Hebrew prayer, do not be put off. Think of this as an immersive experience. It may feel weird at first. You may not understand the words or know where exactly the prayer leader is in the siddur. It doesn’t matter! Just let the sounds and the silences flow over you. At some point, it may become a familiar and fulfilling prayer experience.
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Shabbat Power Hour - start times vary
This is our “regular” power hour service, with both Hebrew and English readings.