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 view on-line version of our Shabbat Prayer Book). 

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.

Kabbalat Shabbat | First Friday of the Month, 7:45pm

Join us in the Gitlin Sanctuary for a spiritual and musical worship experience led by Cantor Green. Additional musical instruments enhance the service.

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, 5:30pm

This age-appropriate service is held in the Gitlin Sanctuary on select First Fridays for our Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE) and Camp Chaverim families and other 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.