Shabbat Observance

The description below provides a fuller sense of our ongoing practice at PSJC. 

 

We observe Shabbat from dusk on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. It is our “palace in time,” a day devoted to God, study and sharing meals with family and friends. Throughout Shabbat, to help maintain the character of the day, we ask everyone to turn off cell phones, beepers and any other electronic devices, and also refrain from taking pictures, making videos, writing, smoking or using the phone anywhere on the synagogue grounds. With these distractions and trappings of the regular week silenced, we are able to raise our voices in song, to listen to one another and to ourselves in new and connective ways.

Both Friday night and Saturday morning services include a d’var Torah (word of Torah), in the form of a sermon and/or discussion, and end with a communal Kiddush, which is a time to enjoy a nosh, meet new people and schmooze - If you are new to the congregation, please introduce yourself to the rabbi and a member of the congregation, and if you’re already a member of the congregation, please introduce yourself to someone new! Friday night services are approximately one hour long and begin at 6:30 in winter and 7:30 in summer, and Saturday morning services start at 10:00 AM and generally end at 12:30PM.  Once a month, after Shabbat morning services and Kiddush, we have a "Shabbat Schmooze" pot-luck gathering at the home of a member, to provide more opportunities to enjoy the Shabbat day together and to get to know one another better (see the Events Section for schedules).

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Friday night

Weekly Friday night services at PSJC offer a warm and intimate gathering to welcome in Shabbat. Beginning with joyous singing (and occasional dancing) Friday night services include Kabbalat Shabbat, a brief Torah discussion and Maariv (the evening service), followed by sharing in Kiddush, where we each introduce ourselves so that we can welcome in Shabbat among friends.  During Covid we observe Kabbalat Shabbat on Zoom - see the Events page for details.

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On the first Friday night of every month, PSJC welcomes Shabbat with our lay-led, all sung service, Lev Tahor (the Pure Heart - see below). Cantor Ribnick leads us in song and prayer on the third Friday night of each month. Throughout the year there are also Kabbalat Shabbat Kulanu services, our wiggle-friendly, shush-free service that is accessible to all ages, led by Aibe and Aileen.  

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The goal of the Lev Tahor service is to bring together different voices from our community to create a joyous, musical, moving, shared experience - whether or not you know the words or the tunes, everyone is welcome to join. We sit in concentric circles and harmonize together with our lay-led, all sung Kabbalat Shabbat. Together, we also learn a little – between the parts of the Service, reading quotes from diverse sources, ranging from rabbinic scholars to W.C. Fields – and learn a little more, at programs during the meal, featuring a range of authors and scholars.

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Saturday Morning Services

Saturday morning services begin at 10 AM and are led by different members of the congregation, who also chant Torah and Haftorah. Rabbi Carter or a guest speaker delivers a d'var Torah (word of Torah), which often includes a discussion.  Services include the introductory psalms of P'seukei Dizimrah, followed by the prayers of Shacharit, Torah, and Musaf sections. After services we all join together in our social hall on the lower level for haMotzi (prayers over the bread) and Kiddush (prayers over wine), followed by a light lunch nosh.

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Children and Youth  Shabbat Services

We have a variety of services and  programs for children and families; please check the Events page only some of these services are available during Covid. 

• Kabbalat Shabbat Kulanu, our wiggle-friendly, family-friendly, shush-free, service that is accessible for all ages takes place on several Friday nights throughout the year. Kulanu means "all together," so join us for our brand new, all-ages, musical service will meet once a month on Shabbat mornings during the school year and approximately eight times a year on Friday evenings. Aibe and Aileen lead an inclusive Shabbat service that will get you on your feet and in the Shabbat spirit. Friday night services will be followed by a dinner (check website for updated information each month on whether this is a potluck or catered meal). 

• Every Shabbat morning during the school year we include: 

  • Tot Shabbat at 11:15 AM, for children under age five (accompanied, by an adult). Celebrate Shabbat with guitar-led prayers and songs, dancing and stories with Aibe! Tot Shabbat allows parents and children to have create a lively family Shabbat experience. Each service ends with a family kiddush.

  • Mini Minyan Children in kindergarten through 2nd grade are welcomed to their own musical service. Learn the prayers, join together in song, stories and other fun Shabbat activities. Parents are welcome, but not required to attend. Each service ends with a short kiddush with Tot Shabbat.

  • Junior Congregation Give your kids a chance to create their own community! Join us for bagels and cream cheese at 11:00 am, followed by services. Children in grades 3 through 6 join together to learn, lead services, and spend time with their friends.