Something for Everyone

Even in our modest sized community, spiritual meaning and fulfillment does not mean the same thing to everyone. We, as a community, seek to explore the meaning behind Jewish traditions, laws and rituals, and to adapt those into our spiritual lives today.

We believe that the congregants of our community play a vital role in developing and contributing to our spiritual life. While rabbinic leadership is vitally important to our TBS community, we also incorporate lay-leadership and participation into our services to further enhance the strength of our community, and to create a truly inclusive and dynamic Jewish community.

Here you will find a brief description of the various services and prayer gatherings that we enjoy at TBS. For service times, days and special schedules, refer to the TBS Calendar.

Kabbalat Shabbat

Join us every Erev Shabbat as we learn, sing, and gather together to end a week of hard work and to contemplate our many blessings. Our service incorporates a wide range of traditions that can be spiritually enriching regardless of one's background. In addition, the inclusion of lay-leaders in the services further enhances the strength of our community.

Tot Shabbat

We sing Shabbat…We sing Shalom. Shabbat Shalom!

Tot Shabbat is a chance for families with tots (infant through kindergarten) to come together to celebrate Shabbat. We sing songs, celebrate the magic of Shabbat in a friendly way and share wonderful experiences of the week. A special emphasis is given on family rituals and the experiences of Shabbat. Stay for the community potluck afterward enjoy time with other TBS members.

Torah Service

We gather together to continue our observance of Shabbat by reading from the Torah. Again, the increased role of lay leadership in these services has helped to spur deeper meaning for the growing TBS community who attend these services. Torah services are a wonderful opportunity for learning.

At TBS, participants may use their choice of traditional or Reconstructionist Aliyah Blessings. Either the traditional blessings or the blessings offered in the Reconstructionist Siddur may be chanted when saying the blessings before and after the Torah reading. Both versions are available in the Prayer Guide menu on the Resources page. 

Wake-up and Taste the Torah!

"Tasting” the Torah is a family program for young children of school age and their parents. Come spend qualitytime together as we learn, play, and sing about the Torah and all it has to offer.

Meditation

It has been documented that a consistent regimen of meditation can reduce stress and often result in better physical well being and greater peace of mind. There are also a number of Jewish scholars who suggest regular meditation can lead to deeper spiritual experiences when participating in traditional prayers and rituals. Whether you are new to meditation, or a seasoned pro, we invite you to join us and share in this experience.

Morning Minyan

Morning minyan meets every week and is followed by coffee and treats while we have a brief Torah study or community discussion on a variety of Jewish-related topics. With or without tefillin, all are encouraged to attend.

Singing Shabbat

This beautiful and moving service brings all the voices of the congregation together in song to welcome Shabbat. Good singing voices are NOT required so come join our circle.

Jewish life is abundant in holidays, festivals, celebrations and days of remembrance for those who have gone before us. On these occasions we come together as a community to share in the joy and celebration of our Jewish heritage. 

For dates and times of TBS holiday services and celebrations, please refer to the Calendar page.

Temple Beth Sholom strongly encourages community participation and lay leadership in worship services. Members are welcome to use these tools to help prepare, as well as to offer their own tools that we may post to help others.

Aliyah Blessings

TBS members are invited to chant the blessings before and after the reading of a Torah portion at Shabbat morning services. This honor is also given to friends and family members of B'nai Mitzvah services. Below are two options for singing the blessings, in both audio and print format.

PDF - Traditional Aliyah Blessings

Audio - Traditional Aliyah Blessings

Other References 

Service Handbook - PDF

Funeral Guide - PDF

Jewish life is rich with family tradition, celebration, and rights of passage.

Sharing life's milestones with family and friends enriches our lives and our community. Weddings, anniversaries, births and birthdays are only a few of the Simchas we rejoice in together.

Sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat

One of the ways that we can all rejoice together is when the family celebrating a special event sponsors an oneg dessert following Kabbalat Shabbat. It is a wonderful and joyous way to honor a loved one!

Aliyah Blessings

Other way to honor a special occassion is by chanting an Aliyah during a Shabbat morning Torah service.

At TBS, participants may use their choice of traditional or Reconstructionist Aliyah Blessings. Either the traditional blessings or the blessings offered in the Reconstructionist Siddur may be chanted when saying the blessings before and after the Torah reading. Both versions are available in the Prayer Guide menu on the Resources page.

Mourning

The TBS community is always here to support one another in joy and in sorrow. When mourning the loss of a loved one, the TBS community can arrange for shiva services, provide food and other assistance during the initial period of mourning, and help the family with funeral and burial arrangments.