Shabbat

Shabbat Shalom!

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are closely following the guidance of government officials, health professionals and our COVID-19 Task Force in order to keep our community healthy and safe.

Following PA guidance effective 5/21/21, Shabbat services are held in the Gitlin sanctuary for those who would like to attend in person. Face masks are required while in the building, and we ask those in attendance to be considerate of those who would prefer physical distancing. For those who can not or prefer not to attend in person, the service is available via Live Webstream 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 an 11am Saturday B'nai Mitzvah, congregants can watch the service via Live Webstream. 

Mishkan T'filah (click to view on-line version of our Shabbat Prayer Book). 

Shabbat during non-pandemic times:

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, special needs, 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 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 | 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. Torah study is held in Room 125/127.

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. 

Kabbalat Shabbat | First Friday of the Month, 6:30pm

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

Shabbat Zimriya | 6:30pm 

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.

Munchkin Minyan | 5:30pm

This age-appropriate service is held in the Gitlin Sanctuary and is followed by a potluck dinner which takes place in the Multi-purpose Room 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. Beth Or provides the entrée for the dairy potluck dinner and participating families bring the sides and desserts. For more information, upcoming dates or to RSVP, contact Sharon Carlin.

Celebrations | Second Saturday of the month, 12pm

The Celebrations program is designed for families with special needs children who may or may not not be comfortable in a formal, structured Shabbat service or religious school educational program. 

Celebrations is focused on a Shabbat theme. The program begins with a very brief worship service which includes a few songs and prayers, led by our Rabbic Intern, Janine Jankovitz. The service is followed by an informal social activity and brunch. 

There is no fee for this program and anyone in the community is welcome to participate. Celebrations takes place on select Saturdays during the school year. Refer to the calendar for upcoming dates. For additional information, please contact Faye Benshetler.

What are parents saying about Celebrations?
"Being a part of the Celebrations Shabbat group has been a wonderful experience for each member of our family. We are able to connect with other families with similar issues in a safe, warm, fun and Jewish environment. The service is not a traditional one, but it is a very meaningful one. It is interactive and everyone gets to be a part of the service in their own way. We share our joys and struggles while learning more about Judaism and chanting prayers and singing songs and learning about the holidays with an active and fun group of people who understand and support each other. We look forward to coming to Celebrations each month and we hope other families will join us to see what it's all about." - Carolyn, Scott, Annika & Aeryn

"The Celebrations program at Congregation Beth Or has been wonderful for my family. Having this opportunity to meet with other special needs family in a safe, loving environment has enabled both our girls to see that Beth Or accepts everyone and strives to make Judaism accessible for all. I encourage everyone to check out Celebrations and see if it's a good match for their family." - Rita