Shabbat Guidelines
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.
Wed, October 23 2024
21 Tishrei 5785
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 24 , 2024
Thursday, Oct 24th 3:00p to 4:00p
Please join us as we sing a short song from the Psalms, sit for twenty minutes, walk for ten minutes, then sing another Hebrew song. Sometimes a brief discussion follows. Words to songs are supplied in Hebrew and transliteration. All are welcomed whatever your experience may be. We do not offer instructions or guided meditations. -
Friday ,
OctOctober 25 , 2024
Friday, Oct 25th 1:30p to 3:00p
Mah Jongg is back! Join in on the fun with this beloved tile-based game. -
Saturday ,
OctOctober 26 , 2024
Shabbat, Oct 26th 10:00a to 12:00p
Join us for Shabbat Bereshit just days after Simchat Torah! Rabbi Shana Margolin leads a hybrid service as we start Torah over again. Service is for all ages at 10:00am with an oneg to follow. RSVP below! -
Sunday ,
OctOctober 27 , 2024
Sunday, Oct 27th 1:30p to 2:30p
Join Randi Hacker and learn the Yiddish alphabet. This class is geared toward those who have not studied Yiddish before or who want to brush up on their Yiddish reading skills. By the end of the six weeks, students will come away with some basic vocabulary and be able to read selections from Yiddishe Kinder Alef. Register below! -
Sunday ,
OctOctober 27 , 2024
Sunday, Oct 27th 4:00p to 5:00p
Join Randi Hacker on Zoom for six weeks of Leyenkrayz Reading Circle, reading and discussing short pieces in Yiddish. Advanced beginners and intermediate-level students welcome. No formal grammatik will be offered, though questions about grammar will be answered as they come up. October 6, 20, 26 and November 3, 10, and 17 For security sake, Zoom link is kept in registration confirmation email.