Shabbat
Shabbat in the Summer
For July and August, we plan our Shabbat services and gatherings with our commitment to accessibility and inclusion foremost in mind. We offer a range of options as we strive to meet our community's diverse accessibility and Shabbat observance needs.
Friday Evenings
Kabbalat Shabbat and Potluck/Dinner: Full Friday night liturgy (Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv/evening service), led by Rabbi Eliana. Summer start time is 6:30 PM, with a meal following services around 7:30. In-person only.
Musical Kabbalat Shabbat and Potluck: Musical lay-led Kabbalat Shabbat service incorporating musical instruments (no Ma'ariv/evening service). Services start at 6:15 PM; instrumental music will end before sundown. In-person only.
Zoom-Only Kabbalat Shabbat: Full Friday night liturgy (Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv) will be lay-led on July 25th and led by Rabbi Eliana on August 22nd. Summer start time is 6:30 PM.
Friday Night Siddur — Friday Night Zoom
Weekly Shabbat Morning Services
Shabbat morning services, meet weekly from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM. During the summer, services are either in-person or on fully remote over Zoom.
In-person morning services will be held in our backyard shul tent. In case of heavy rain, we will gather in the Blumsack Chapel. No stairs are required to attend. Remote viewing from home is available over Zoom.
Shabbat Morning Siddur — Shabbat Morning Zoom — Yahrzeit List
Our Shabbat morning service begins with the traditional preliminary service (P'sukei D'zimra, "verses of praise") at 9:30, followed by the morning service (Shacharit) around 10:00 and then the Torah service. We follow the Triennial schedule for Torah reading.
Following the Torah service, Rabbi Eliana shares a D'var Torah, a few minutes of teaching, prior to the concluding prayers (Musaf).
After services on weeks without other Shabbat morning events, a light kiddush is served. All are invited to eat and schmooze together.
Other Shabbat Gatherings
Seudah Shlishit
Seudah Shlishit is the traditional third meal of Shabbat. We gather on Saturday afternoon for food and song. We will sing a mix of niggunim (wordless melodies), Hebrew songs, and American folk songs. All ages are welcome to sing and snack with us!
Spring Hill Minyan
The Spring Hill Minyan is a monthly pop-up minyan/informal group of people in and near Spring Hill in Somerville. They meet monthly in people's homes for a song-filled Kabbalat Shabbat service (no Ma'ariv/evening service) and potluck dinner. The davening (prayer) style is relaxed and egalitarian; the food is vegetarian and nut free; and TBB members, adults and kids alike, are warmly welcome to attend.
With a few rare exceptions, TBB does not hold Kabbalat Shabbat services on weeks when the Spring Hill Minyan meets.
Email Amy Pasternack, TBB's Ritual Committee Chair, to join their email list for information about upcoming gatherings. Summer start time is 6:30 PM.