Innovative Shabbat Services

At Temple Emanu-El we offer innovative Shabbat Services to appeal to our Congregants of all ages. Whether you enjoy observing Shabbat on a Friday night with your Congregational family or a more casual, interactive Saturday morning minyan you can find a worship experience you will enjoy.

• Tot Shabbat
• Erev Shabbat
• Kabbalat Shabbat
• Family Shabbat
• Shabbat Minyan (Saturday morning)

Special Shabbat Services

• Shabbat in Nature
• Rock Shabbat
• Sing-It-Yourself Shabbat
• Sisterhood Shabbat
• Brotherhood Shabbat
• Scout Shabbat

Tot Shabbat

Tot Shabbats are Friday night services for our families with young children (preschool through kindergarten – of course older and younger siblings are invited as well). The service is held in the sanctuary on the third Friday of each month, starting at 6:00 PM. During the summer, Tot Shabbat is combined with the 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat service on the patio. Led by Rabbi Dana Magat and Cantor Meeka Simerly, the service includes blessings and songs, stories and prayers, introducing the children to the sanctuary. Stay after services – bring a potluck dish to share and meet other families.

Erev Shabbat

Twice a month, services are held at 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary. Different special activities are often incorporated, such as “Ask the Rabbi,” a sermon and discussion, a guest speaker.

Kabbalat Shabbat

On the fourth Friday of each month (and the fifth Friday, if there is one), services are held at 6:30 PM. The liturgy includes all that is needed to welcome Shabbat, but without any additional pieces. This earlier time enables worshippers to come directly from work, or to get home for Shabbat dinner at a reasonable time.

Family Shabbat

The first Friday of the month during the school year (September through May), services begin at 7:15 PM in the sanctuary. For these services we use the “Gates of Prayer for Young People,” siddur (prayerbook) which has nice large type, colorful pictures and very approachable language. Once Religious School is in session, Hebrew classes (Aleph through Dalet) help lead the service, and Jewish Studies classes participate with a song or presentation. We’re proud of our students and their participation and leadership in our worship.

Shabbat Minyan (Saturday morning)

Our informal, organic Saturday Minyan service is held every Saturday at 9:00 am in the Benefactor’s Room. Minyan is often lay led and participants enjoy a lively discussion of the weekly Parashat (Torah Portion)

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Special Shabbat Services

Shabbat in Nature

Every quarter we celebrate Shabbat in Nature with a minyan led by Rabbi Dana Magat and Cantor Meeka Simerly in a nearby park setting. Once a year we enjoy the Shabbat in Nature Campout for a fuller Shabbat experience.  Mark your calendars for the next 2009/2010 Shabbat in Nature experiences:  October 24, February 6, April 4, and May 22/23rd.  Contact the Temple office for more information.

Rock Shabbat

An innovative and joyous worship experience with musicians (piano, percussion, guitars, trombone, etc.) and singers (the Temple Emanu-El Singers) joining Cantor Meeka Simerly and Rabbi Dana Magat. Congregational singing is definitely encouraged, as is dancing in the aisles. .

Sing-It-Yourself Shabbat

A special service book has been assembled by members of the choir and the Ritual Committee which enables the entire Shabbat liturgy to be done musically. Come add your voice (and musical instruments) to the ensemble.

Sisterhood Shabbat

Several times a year, members of Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood participate in leading the Shabbat services. Our women come together to lead Friday night service and a special Women’s Spiritual day minyan through liturgy, chanting their favorite Hebrew blessings, and sharing special poems and readings.

Brotherhood Shabbat

Brotherhood, the men’s auxiliary at Temple Emanu-El also leads services in the summer and during the year. They have adapted a liturgy created by the Men of Reform Judaism, the national organization as well as their own selection of readings.

Scout Shabbat

Temple Emanu-El’s connection with the Scouting movement remains strong, and once a year, usually in February, scouts from the Congregation and around the South Bay are invited to attend a Shabbat service, coming in uniform.