Shabbat Services

Temple B'nai Brith offers three varieties of Shabbat morning service:

The weekly Shabbat morning service approaches the traditional liturgy with a quiet, meditative feel. The service is led by our darshan (religious leader), Phil Weiss, and other members of the minyan. Men and women participate equally.

The service begins with the traditional preliminary service (P'sukei D'zimra), followed (at about 10:00) by the morning service proper (Shacharit), and then the Torah service and the additional service (Musaf) for Shabbat.

The Torah service includes a full chanting of the week's Torah portion and Haftarah, and concludes with a d'var Torah, a few minutes of teaching by our darshan (or sometimes another member of the minyan). People are welcome to arrive at any point in the service, and to depart when they wish.

Following the service is a kiddush. All are invited to eat and schmooze with us. (see times)

Shabbat Together is a monthly Shabbat service, generally held on the first Saturday of each month from November through May. (see dates and times)

Following the traditional preliminary service which begins at 9:15, we continue at 10:00 with a less traditional liturgy featuring more prayers in English, an abbreviated Torah and Haftarah reading and a Torah discussion led by our darshan, Phil Weiss.

When a simcha (joyous occasion) is scheduled on the first Shabbat of the month, we do not follow the Shabbat Together service.

The Alternative Minyan meets once a month in Blumsack Chapel from 10-11:30 am.

The alternative services contain five sections:

  1. Waking Up, 
  2. Discovering the World, 
  3. Praying to Become a Community, 
  4. Study and Discussion, 
  5. Offering Something Extra.

and are organized and led by members of the Minyan. Organizers are invited and encouraged to vary things, injecting poetry, chanting, and meditations of all kinds into the service. An extended discussion of the Torah portion has become something of a staple of the service, but as is true of all things in the Alternative Minyan, the content and balance among the parts is subject to the thinking and creativity of the service organizers. Leadership rotates and experienced leaders are happy to work with new Minyan members in planning a service. Knowledge of Hebrew is not a requirement to lead a section or coordinate a service. (see dates and times; additional info)

Friday Night Service with Oneg & Dinner

Friday night services are offered on selected weeks throughout the year. At 6 pm, we meet in Blumsack Chapel for a traditional Friday night service, led by Seth Weiss. At 7 pm, we go into Nissenbaum Hall to share a kosher vegetarian dinner. Some of us come for the service, some just for dinner and some for both. 

Children of all ages are welcome to attend, to roam about, and to amuse themselves with books or toys at all the services at Temple B'nai Brith.

Minyan Schedule 2007-2008

Weekly Shabbat Morning Service (description)
9:15 am-12:30 pm, every Saturday in Nissenbaum Hall

Shabbat Together (description)
10:00 am-12:30 pm in Nissenbaum Hall

November 3, 2007
December 1, 2007
January 5, 2008
February 2, 2008
March 1, 2008
April 5, 2008
May 3, 2008

Alternative Minyan (description)
10-11:30 am in Blumsack Chapel

October 13, 2007
November 10, 2007
December 8, 2007
January 12, 2008
February 9, 2008
March 8, 2008
May 10, 2008

Friday Night Service (description)
6:00 pm: Service in Blumsack Chapel
7:00 pm: Dinner in Nissenbaum Hall

Dates for Fall 2007 will be posted soon.
November 10, 2006
December 8, 2006
January 12, 2007
February 9, 2007
May 11, 2007
The format for Friday nights varies from a service followed by a catered dinner to potluck dinners without a service. Please consult the synagogue newsletter or contact the office for specific information.