Shabbat
Shabbat Shalom!
We offer 3 options for participating in Friday evening Shabbat services - In person in the Gitlin Sanctuary and virtually via the Beth Or Livestream site as well as our Facebook Page.
Webstream tips:
- If you have trouble accessing the site, try refreshing your browser.
- Go to the webstream page a few minutes before the service start time. Once the service begins, the live stream will start.
- If there is a technical problem once the live stream is underway, please be patient. This may only last a minute or so and once resolved, the live stream will start up again.
When there is a Saturday morning B'nai Mitzvah, congregants may watch the service via the Livestream link. Saturday morning services are not streamed to Facebook.
Mishkan T'filah (click to purchase hard copy or e-book version of our Shabbat Prayer Book from CCAR).
Our congregation and community worship at Beth Or each Shabbat. Our clergy lead a variety of services including traditional worship, Kabbalat (alternative Jewish music-inspired), young family focused and more. Our building is completely accessible and welcoming for all. For those who need them, large print prayer books and listening devices are available to enhance your worship experience. If you are interested in learning more about our worship services, please contact Barbara Murtha.
Please scroll down for service descriptions. If you are participating in an upcoming service and would like some help preparing, please visit the Audio/Video Resources page to find a variety of prayers and blessings.
Friday Evening | 7:30pm - all Fridays other than the first Friday of the month
On most Friday nights (other than those noted below), you can participate in a traditional service in the Gitlin Sanctuary led by our clergy. Torah is read every other Friday. On alternating Fridays, rabbi will tell a story or give a sermon. Kiddush and Motzi immediately follow the service. On occasion, Beth Or will host a special guest who will give the sermon. You can check the calendar for upcoming Shabbat Guest Speakers.
Please join us each week following the Shabbat service to schmooze with your friends during a dessert oneg.
Saturday Morning | 11am (also 9am and/or 1pm if a B’nai Mitzvah is scheduled)
All are welcome to join us for Shabbat service from September through June. Our B’nai Mitzvah take place during Saturday morning services. On Shabbat mornings, services start at 11am in either the Gitlin Sanctuary or Haines Memorial Chapel. When there is a 9am B’nai Mitzvah, there will also be a service at 9am that Congregants are welcome to attend.
Torah Study | Saturday morning, 9:30am
As a well-known Jewish song of the 50s used to remind us, "the people of Israel without Torah are like a body without a soul." Torah elevates, educates and builds up our community. Join one of our rabbis for an in-depth study of the weekly Torah portion which will surely enrich your soul and give you workable spiritual tools for Jewish living.
Torah study is held every Saturday after Yom Kippur through the last Saturday in June that there is a B’nai Mitzvah. Check the calendar to confirm the dates.
Are you interested in hosting a Torah study session in your home? Learn More
Family Shabbat | First Friday of the Month, 6:30pm
Family Shabbat takes place in the Gitlin Sanctuary during the school year and is a wonderful service geared to families and children of all ages. The service is filled with ruach (spirit!) and song. The rabbi will tell a story in place of a sermon. We honor the month's birthdays with an aliyah and a special gift. Our Junior Choir sings at every Family Shabbat service and often a religious school grade level is honored. When a religious school grade participates in the service, streaming is available on via the Livestream site only and not on Facebook Live.
Shabbat Zimriya | Friday evening, time varies
On occasion, a special musical guest is invited to our Friday Shabbat service to nourish our souls with alternative Jewish songs and music. Refer to the calendar for the next musical Shabbat.
Shabbat in our Park | Friday evening, time varies
During the summer months, we occasionally conduct Friday Shabbat services outdoors, either on the Flitter Family Terrace and surrounding grounds, or tailgate-style on the patio outside the Rosenfeld Social Hall and parking lot. We use a special brochure-style siddur for this service, which can be viewed here.
Munchkin Minyan | Select Friday evenings, 5pm
This age-appropriate service is held in the Haines Memorial Chapel, typically on the first Friday of the month during the school year for our Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE) and Camp Chaverim families and other young families with children who are preschool age. For more information, upcoming dates or to RSVP, contact Sharon Carlin.
Heart & Soul Shabbat | Select Saturdays, time varies
On some Saturdays throughout the year, we head outdoors to invigorate our bodies and our minds with a group walk/hike in one of the many beautiful parks in the Philadelphia area. Rabbi Bonder also provides motivational podcasts and playlists for those who want to get individual inspiration. Visit the Beth Or Podcast page to stream previous Heart & Soul Shabbat podcasts/playlists.
Sun, January 29 2023
7 Sh'vat 5783
Upcoming Events
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Monday ,
JanJanuary 30 , 2023B'nai Mitzvah Intergenerational Learners Class
Monday, Jan 30th 6:00p to 7:00p
All families with an upcoming February - June 2023 B'nai Mitzvah are invited to this intergenerational learning session led by Rabbi Bonder. We will explore the WHYs of the B'nai Mitzvah service and experience. Click for more details and RSVP. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 1 , 2023Family Promise Montco PA Program
Wednesday, Feb 1st (All day)
For the 24th year, Beth Or is partnering with Family Promise Montco PA (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network) by housing up to 3 families in transition throughout the month of February. Volunteers are needed to prepare meals, provide transportation, and serve a chaperones. Click for full details and to reserve your volunteer time slot. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 3 , 2023
Friday, Feb 3rd 5:30p to 6:30p
Join us for a traditional Family Shabbat Dinner between Munchkin Minyan and Family Services featuring our 6th grade students. We will also celebrate Tu B'Shevat with special activities for the children. Cost: $18/adult; $5/child. Click for details and RSVP by 1/24. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 3 , 2023Tu B'Shevat Celebration
Friday, Feb 3rd 7:30p
Our Tu B'Shevat celebration continues after Shabbat services tonight with a special program geared toward adults. Enjoy Israeli wine and beer provided by Brotherhood while potting succulents to take home, courtesy of Gene at Ambler Flowers. Click for RSVP by 1/27. -
Saturday ,
FebFebruary 4 , 2023Shabbat Worship and Bat Mitzvah of Noa Murley
Shabbat, Feb 4th 11:00a