Led by Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz
Kehillat Shabbat FAQ:
What is a Kehillat Shabbat Service?
Abraham Joshua Heschel describes Shabbat as a palace in time, a palace with many doors, a palace that belongs to all “lovers of Shabbat.”
Kehillat Shabbat – literally a Shabbat Community - is our new service designed to create a Shabbat space, in a congregation where there are many diverse ways of practicing and of experiencing Shabbat - a service at which we can come and love Shabbat, together. Our Kehillat Shabbat service will be held monthly, on the first Saturday each month.
Ok, but what is it like?
The service combines Hebrew and English, singing and responsive reading. The different parts of the service are explained. The service is welcoming and participatory
It will be sweet and lighthearted, but also meditative and restorative. We recognize that each of us has a different pace and preferred mode for prayer. In some cases we will sing or chant a short segment of a longer prayer. During that time those of us who so choose, will have the time to read the text quietly, meditate on one of the English readings in the prayer book, or just be.
We use some of the same melodies that are used in our regular weekly service as well as some other melodies. If you are curious about those you can listen to a couple of them on our website: http://tbbsomerville.weebly.com/worship.html
You don’t need to know Hebrew or have previous experience with prayer to enjoy Kehillat Shabbat. Everything will be explained and taught during the service, and we’d love to see you there.
How much Hebrew?
The Kehillat Shabbat prayer book, Siddur Or Shalom, is fully transliterated.
Will there be a Torah Service?
Yes, Kehillat Shabbat includes a short Torah service, and an abbreviated haftarah reading. In lieu of a sermon there will be either a discussion, a bibliodrama, or a literary adaptation of the weekly portion.
How long is the service?
Not very long. The service is an hour and 45 minutes, beginning at 10:30 and concluding at 12:15. Kehillat Shabbat is followed by a sit-down Kiddush lunch.
If this service is shorter than the regular weekly Shabbat morning worship service, how much of it are you skipping?
We are not skipping any one part of the service (well, maybe musaf), but rather singing or reading pieces of each text. The service includes shortened versions of psukey d’zimra, shaharit, Torah service, and an alternative musaf service (no amidah). We recite the Sh’ma in its entirety, and there is time to daven (pray) the amidah in silence, as well as a partial repetition.
Our traditional Shabbat minyan will continue to meet weekly.
How can I help?
We always need help with set up and clean up.
If you enjoy singing we’d love your help getting some of our melodies online.
If you read Torah, or would like to be a gabbai (help with the Torah service), that would be wonderful.
Email Rabbi Eliana.
If you want to help by sponsor a kiddush be in touch with our executive director Lisa Gregerman.
Abraham Joshua Heschel describes Shabbat as a palace in time, a palace with many doors, a palace that belongs to all “lovers of Shabbat.”
Kehillat Shabbat – literally a Shabbat Community - is our new service designed to create a Shabbat space, in a congregation where there are many diverse ways of practicing and of experiencing Shabbat - a service at which we can come and love Shabbat, together. Our Kehillat Shabbat service will be held monthly, on the first Saturday each month.
Ok, but what is it like?
The service combines Hebrew and English, singing and responsive reading. The different parts of the service are explained. The service is welcoming and participatory
It will be sweet and lighthearted, but also meditative and restorative. We recognize that each of us has a different pace and preferred mode for prayer. In some cases we will sing or chant a short segment of a longer prayer. During that time those of us who so choose, will have the time to read the text quietly, meditate on one of the English readings in the prayer book, or just be.
We use some of the same melodies that are used in our regular weekly service as well as some other melodies. If you are curious about those you can listen to a couple of them on our website: http://tbbsomerville.weebly.com/worship.html
You don’t need to know Hebrew or have previous experience with prayer to enjoy Kehillat Shabbat. Everything will be explained and taught during the service, and we’d love to see you there.
How much Hebrew?
The Kehillat Shabbat prayer book, Siddur Or Shalom, is fully transliterated.
Will there be a Torah Service?
Yes, Kehillat Shabbat includes a short Torah service, and an abbreviated haftarah reading. In lieu of a sermon there will be either a discussion, a bibliodrama, or a literary adaptation of the weekly portion.
How long is the service?
Not very long. The service is an hour and 45 minutes, beginning at 10:30 and concluding at 12:15. Kehillat Shabbat is followed by a sit-down Kiddush lunch.
If this service is shorter than the regular weekly Shabbat morning worship service, how much of it are you skipping?
We are not skipping any one part of the service (well, maybe musaf), but rather singing or reading pieces of each text. The service includes shortened versions of psukey d’zimra, shaharit, Torah service, and an alternative musaf service (no amidah). We recite the Sh’ma in its entirety, and there is time to daven (pray) the amidah in silence, as well as a partial repetition.
Our traditional Shabbat minyan will continue to meet weekly.
How can I help?
We always need help with set up and clean up.
If you enjoy singing we’d love your help getting some of our melodies online.
If you read Torah, or would like to be a gabbai (help with the Torah service), that would be wonderful.
Email Rabbi Eliana.
If you want to help by sponsor a kiddush be in touch with our executive director Lisa Gregerman.
