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Home - Congregation Beth Israel

Shabbat

Shabbat at CBI is a special time. It’s an opportunity to raise our voices in song and prayer together.  It’s a chance to catch up with friends we have not seen during the week.  It’s a moment to join a family in celebration of a Bar Mitzvah, a new arrival, or an upcoming wedding.  It’s a chance to learn something new and meet someone new.

Services begin Friday evenings at 7:30 pm.

Services begin Saturday mornings at 9:30 am.

To participate in Shabbat services virtually, please visit https://www.cbinj.org/livestream

Tot Shabbat, for children six and under and their parents, takes place one Friday night or one Saturday morning a month.

Kids Kehilah, a service for students in elementary school, is held one Saturday morning a month.

“The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal in time, to turn from the results of creation to the mystery of creation, from the world of creation to the creation of the world.”              Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

Friday evening services include a festive Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv as well as a D’var Torah from the rabbi or a guest speaker. We share a community Oneg Shabbat after services, a chance to relax with friends and enjoy a sweet nosh together.  Services begin Friday evenings at 7:30 pm.

As the weather warms during the summer months, so do our spirits. On select Friday evenings we leave the building to celebrate Shabbat Outdoors. Once a month these include a picnic dinner.  It’s a great way to celebrate with our community and appreciate the outdoors in a fun, informal atmosphere.  Please check the calendar for specific dates and locations.

Everyone is welcome at our Shabbat morning services no matter your level of observance, Judaic knowledge, or familiarity with Hebrew. Our services follow a traditional structure and include congregational singing, Torah discussions, and personal reflection. The congregation frequently celebrates together with families as a child becomes Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Kiddush lunches follow services, so people can continue their Shabbat celebrations over a good bagel!  Services begin Saturday mornings at 9:30 am.

Shabbat is also an experience for the whole family to enjoy together, so we are proud to offer special programing for children of all ages. Tot Shabbat, for children five and under and their parents, is a lively, energetic, and fun Shabbat service, and takes place one Friday night or one Saturday morning a month. Kids Kehilah, a service for students in elementary school, is held multiple Saturday mornings throughout the year and combines an interactive service with fun, educational games and activities to keep students engaged for Kindergarten through 2nd graders. Please see the calendar for the full schedule of Tot Shabbat and Kids Kehilah.

On every Shabbat, children are always welcome in our main service. Children participate in all our congregational singing, and many times are called on to lead different sections of the service. Watching our children follow the Torah processional or lead Eyn Keloheinu and Adon Olam from the bimah is a highlight of the service for the entire congregation.

Sat, December 21 2024 20 Kislev 5785