Shabbat Services

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

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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

Kabbalat Shabbat services are held every Friday, 6:00-7:00 pm. Our service is short and prayerful. We welcome Shabbat with song and prayer followed by a sip of wine and a taste of challah for kiddush. You don't need to know how to read Hebrew; a complete transliteration is provided. You don't need experience praying; everything will be explained. All ages are welcome.

Minyan Schedule 5769 (2008-2009)

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
December 6, 2008
January 3, 2009
February 7, 2009
March 7, 2009
April 4, 2009
May 2, 2009
June 6, 2009

Alternative Minyan (description)
10-11:30 am in Blumsack Chapel
October 18, 2008
November 15, 2008
December 13, 2008
January10, 2009
February 14, 2009
March 14, 2009
April 11, 2009
May 23, 2009
June 13, 2009