Probably the best time to come for a visit to Beth El is Shabbat (Saturday) morning. If you are coming with kids under 12 you’ll probably want to attend one of our Youth Services along with your child. We have Junior Congregation (ages 8-12) every week during the school year, as well as Little Minyan (ages 5-7) and Tot Shabbat (ages 1-4) twice per month. (See the calendar section for exact dates). These services begin at 10:30 and run for about an hour. After that please come join us in the Sanctuary. We like to finish our prayers all together as one family.

If you are coming without kids for the first time, we suggest that you come at about 11 AM for our last hour together. It’s the best way to get a feel for what we are all about.

Our Shabbat morning services are divided into three sections:

• The first hour (9-10) is devoted to contemplative prayer. We sing a few songs, but much of the service is chanted quietly. It is a time for peaceful reflection, away from cell phones, work and other distractions.
• The second hour (10-11) is devoted to Torah study. While the Torah is being chanted, take time to read the interesting commentaries and ponder the meaning of our Holy Torah.
• The third hour, which is the most accessible to many, both visitors and “regulars” alike, we call “Celebration and Song”. Most of this part of the service is sung out loud. The weekly sermon/teaching is also offered in this section of the service. (See Rabbi’s Messages for past sermons). At the end of the service, our bimah is flooded with the children who have been attending our children’s services and we all go to our delicious Kiddush to savor the beauty of the sacred time we have just shared.

If you are visiting us for the first time, please come over and say hello to our Rabbis and Cantor. They, and the rest of the congregation, are anxious to welcome you and truly hope that you will feel at home at Beth El.