Shabbat is a sacred time for the Jewish people, a respite from the demands, deadlines and distractions of a busy week. The period from Friday evening to Saturday night has been described as a sanctuary in time. It offers us a chance to reconnect with family and friends and rejuvenate ourselves spiritually.
This is especially true inside the synagogue, our sacred space, where we gather as a community to pray, deepen our relationships with one another and connect with God.
Cell Phones and Electronics
We ask that you respect the holiness of this day and space by refraining from using any electronics, including mobile devices and cameras, within the building during and after services. In an emergency, cell phones and conversations may be taken outside the building.
Dress
Congregation Agudas Achim has no formal dress code. Our community is strengthened by members whose preferences range from casual to formal. We welcome guests from different traditions and upbringings.
To honor our sacred space, however, we ask that that girls and women cover their shoulders and wear appropriately-lengthed skirts or pants and that all boys and men cover their heads by wearing kippot. Everyone must cover his or her head on the bimah.
Families and children
The energy at Agudas Achim is built, in part, on the spirit and passions of our youngest members. We invite all children and families to join us for services — and to bring that liveliness with them.
Children who are not attending services or any of our youth programs are invited to the quiet room at the rear of the sanctuary. Parents should always know where their children are in order to ensure their safety.
Rabbi Neil Blumofe has made available recordings which may be played online or downloaded to your computer.
Learn the Shabbat torah trope or the Shabbat services, including Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Havdallah, and Saturday evening, from our Online Learning page.
The goals of the Shabbat Services Committee are to:
- Attract additional people to Shabbat services
- Explore how we can bring greater spirituality for all who attend – how we can draw nearer to God and each other – during Shabbat
- Intensify the involvement of individuals so that they will feel part of the community
Birkat haTzibur (Blessings of the Community) gives community members opportunities to enrich our Shabbat morning worship experience by offering an original blessing. Many of these blessings are posted
here. During Birkat haTefillah: The Meaning of Prayer, the Rabbi uses the time normally reserved for his D’var Torah to discuss and provide insight into some of our most important prayers, customs, rituals, and the special meaning of the service. This ongoing program takes place once a month on Shabbat.
We hope you will consider becoming part of this dynamic committee. For more information contact Rowena Chodorow at
chodorow@sbcglobal.net.
What better way to honor or remember a loved one than with a Shabbat Kiddush luncheon or flower sponsorship? You can provide flowers for our Sanctuary for as little as $150. You can also sponsor, or co-sponsor, a Kiddush luncheon.
Please contact Amy Sherman at 735-8428 for details.
