Shabbat | tbsneedham

Shabbat at Temple Beth Shalom

Shabbat at Temple Beth Shalom is a time for spirited song, prayer, and sharing as a community. We invite you to celebrate with us each week as together we seek rest, renewal and inspiration.

Weekly Shabbat Options

Shabbat Evening Services

Our Erev Shabbat evening services are warm, participatory, and rich with beautiful music. Services feature instruments and voices raised together in song. The prayer book’s poetry and a thought-provoking weekly D’var Torah (Torah teaching) inspire reflection and provide timely insight as we consider how Jewish wisdom might inform our own life journeys. To learn more about our clergy click here.

Fridays | 6:15pm | in person and online

Lay-Led Shabbat Morning Services & Torah Study

Most Shabbat mornings, we gather for a beautiful service led by members of our community. Torah Study sessions take the place of a formal Torah reading and center around lively group discussion and thoughtful conversation with clergy.

Saturdays | 8:30-9:00 AM Service

9:15-10:15 AM Torah Study | in person

Weekly Options

Shabbat Reimagined

This year, we invite you to experience Shabbat on Friday evenings in exciting and reimagined ways that provide even more opportunity for engagement, connection, celebration and joy. In addition to the special programs designed to meet the needs of our diverse and vibrant community, every Friday will also feature a light nosh before services and a sweet Oneg afterward.

Friday Night Lights
Family Dinners | 5:30-6:15pm ; Services | 6:15pm

Celebrate among friends and family with festive services designed to be experienced by our entire TBS community and particularly enjoyed by our school-age children (K-6) and their families. These services feature our Youth Choir and age-appropriate spiritual content.

Join us before services for delicious and fun family dinners at 5:30pm!

Dates:

September 6 | Camp Shabbat (7:30pm dinner)
November 1
December 6
January 3
February 7
March 7 | Service only
April 4
May 2

Community Dinners | 7:30-8:30pm

Enjoy delicious food and community connection each month; sponsored by TBS Member Engagement and hosted by groups and committees across our community. Free for members.

To register for a community dinner, click on the dates linked below.

Dates:

September 20 | Beth Shalom Garden Club
October 18 | Sukkot New Member Welcome, Brotherhood
November 15 | Sisterhood
December 20
January 17
February 21
March 21 | GBIO
April 11 | Pre-Passover Carb Fest!
May 30 | ConNEXTions+
June 20

Community Shabbat Hikes | Saturdays | 11am-12:30pm
Family Shabbat Hikes | Saturdays | 2-3:30pm

Delight in beaufiful guided hikes including personal reflection, community connection, and the opportunity to experience peaceful moments in nature. All hikes are led by Rachel Happel, TBS Senior Director of Learning and Engagement. Specific locations for each date will be shared with those who register.

Community Hikes are designed for adults and teens and will range from 3-5 miles. To register for Community Hikes click here.

Family Hikes are designed for families with elementary-age children and will range from 1-2 miles, with little to no elevation. To register for Family Hikes click here.

Hikes take place “drizzle or shine” but cancel for heavy rain or other extreme weather conditions.

Dates:

September 21
November 2
December 14 | Community Hike only
January 11
February 8
March 8
May 10

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Guided Meditation I 6:15pm

Participate in an added element of Shabbat peace as part of our evening services through a brief guided meditation, led by TBS member and mindfulness instructor Stephanie Javaheri.

No registration is necessary; please join us in the Sanctuary.

Dates:

September 27
October 18
November 22
December 13

Our Guide

Stephanie Javaheri is an experienced yoga and meditation teacher. She enjoys using her voice and teachings to invite a sense of calm and equanimity to balance out the wild ride of life. You can learn more or reach Stephanie here: http://sjyogaguide.com

House Band

We will regularly be joined on Shabbat by our amazing house band that will feature multiple instruments, talented members of our community, and special guests.

Shabbat Reimagined

Upcoming Services

Shabbat Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dress for Shabbat Evening Services?

Dressy casual is perfectly fine for Shabbat. However, if at the last minute, the spirit moves you to come to services and you do not have time to change, please come as you are. We want you to be with us!

What if it is difficult for me to arrive at temple by 6:15 pm?

Not to worry. A number of our members come to services directly from the end of their work day. Please feel comfortable arriving any time after the service begins. It is wonderful to see our Sanctuary gradually fill as more and more people arrive to join their loved ones and friends for Shabbat.

What are services like? Do I need to know Hebrew to appreciate the experience?

All of our services feature song, warmth, and spirit and are accessible to everyone. Our prayer book, “Mishkan T’filah” is transliterated for those who do not read Hebrew. Our rabbis and musical leaders guide us through the service thoughtfully with explanations and teachings to ensure that everyone is sharing in a meaningful way. For more information about “Mishkan T’filah” please go to www.ccarpress.org and search for “Mishkan T’filah.”

How can I celebrate a life moment with a special blessing during services?

If you are interested in celebrating a life moment (birth, anniversary, special life change) with a blessing during our Shabbat services, please contact either Rabbi Perlman (jperlman@tbsneedham.org) or Rabbi Markley (tmarkley@tbsneedham.org). They will be happy to help!

Is it possible to purchase my own copy of our prayer book “Mishkan T’filah”?

Of course. To order your own copy of “Mishkan T’filah” (and/or a number of other Jewish books and resources) please go to www.ccarpress.org.

Shabbat FAQs