The celebration of Shabbat is an integral part of life at Beth Emet. Each week, through worship and study, we create the time and space for personal and communal reflection, contemplation, and celebration. For many years, our Kabbalat Shabbat services have begun at 6:30 p.m. on most Fridays and at 8:00 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. However, attendance at the 8:00 p.m. service has dwindled, and most of those who attend the 8:00 p.m. service also attend when services are held at 6:30 p.m. Accordingly, upon recommendation of the Klei Kodesh (Senior Staff), and after discussion with, and approval by, the Board of Trustees, all Kabbalat Shabbat services will begin each Friday at 6:30 p.m., starting on January 1. On the second Friday of the month, Kabbalat Shabbat services will include a Torah reading.* There will be a wine and cheese reception before each service, beginning at 5:45 p.m. 

On Shabbat mornings, our regular Saturday worship opportunities-Kahal and the Minyan-will continue as usual. These services begin at 9:30 a.m. Once a month, Rabbi London, Rabbi Knobel, or Marci Dickman leads the Torah discussion at both Kahal and the Minyan. Opportunities to study with them are published in our Shabbat worship schedule. On other weeks, members of the community lead Torah study. Our Kahal service is held in the Weiner Room and is a participatory, music-filled intergenerational Shabbat morning worship experience with lay people reading Torah and doing other honors. Our Minyan worship service in Room 208 is lay led and includes prayer, song, and discussion. 

Change is never easy, and we know from experience that there are no perfect solutions when finding the "right" time to conduct services. Yet it is important that we adjust in response to changes in attendance patterns. We are committed to continuing Beth Emet's strong tradition of vibrant communal prayer. If you have questions, please contact Bekki Harris Kaplan.

L'shalom,

Rabbi Andrea London & David Graham, president

* On special occasions, we may schedule an 8:00 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat service, but this will be the exception.