Shabbat Guidelines

Beth Jacob Synagogue is an unaffiliated congregation thriving over 100 years by providing a welcoming place to all Jews. We embrace many styles of services, ritual observances and expressions of Judaism. Our synagogue is not just a place of prayer, it is also a place where Jews gather to socialize, learn, commit to social action and gain inspiration. Throughout our many years, we have enriched ourselves in Jewish traditions and ritual observance by drawing from the modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and Renewal branches. To guide our members, the Board of Beth Jacob Synagogue has adopted guidelines around ritual observances in the synagogue on Shabbat in keeping with our diversity of members.

Please follow the guidelines listed below. By embracing this set of guidelines, we can continue to provide a welcoming place to all Jews.

If you don’t see a guideline listed or have questions, please contact a member of the board.

Permissible on Shabbat:

•  Warming food in oven.
• Use of musical instruments.
• Reading and writing.
• Playing boardgames.
• Showing pictures and videos as part of a presentation.
• Lighting Shabbat candles after dark (this encourages people to kindle Shabbat lights).
• Lighting Havdalah candles before dark (the preference is to wait until after dark unless it's summer and you're holding a children’s Havdalah event would be too late wait until dark).
• Vacuuming and tidying up (If an event is scheduled following Shabbat and the building is in disarray then vacuuming/light cleanup is fine).
• Craft Activities (only if the activities engage children in understanding Shabbat)

Please avoid taking photos, videos and any exchange of money.