Our Shabbat Morning

Shabbat morning services are held every week and are the centerpiece of our communal life. Services begin at 9:30 AM and run until 12:15 PM. Services are led by clergy and our many skilled lay leaders. Occasionally during the year and often in the summer, lay members lead all of the service. Our congregation uses the siddur published by the Reconstructionist Movement, "Kol HaNeshama." Our Shabbat morning service is followed by a communal kiddush lunch, our weekly Shabbat oneg.

For a guide to our shabbat morning service, click here.

Alternative Services

Minyan Pashut, literally, "simple minyan," is held on the second Shabbat of the month in the library, and is a smaller, more intimate "minyan" [quorum] than our main service, limited by the capacity of the library. It contains all the same basic elements as the larger service, but without some of the special readings, explanations, etc. and is entirely lay led.

Decorum

We ask that all males entering the sanctuary, Jewish or not, wear a kippah ["yarmulke,: or "skullcap."]. Women can choose whether to wear a kippah. Jewish men or women can choose to wear a tallit, but as a general rule, we ask that anyone called to the bimah wear a tallit at that time.

Those who arrive late to services are asked to stand in the back of the sanctuary and wait to find seats when:

• The Ark is open and the congregation standing;
• The congregation is standing for any reason;
• While the first two lines of the sh'ma are being recited, and during the full recitation of the Amidah;
• The Rabbi or other individual is speaking from the bima or during readings by an individual from the bimah.

Individuals who have difficulty standing for long periods of time are, of course, invited to be seated during the times mentioned above.

We ask congregants and guests who wish to show their appreciation for a d’var Torah or other offering can say "yashar koach" or "kol HaKavod" (well done.) Applause is not appropriate.

Other Shabbat Links

Our Shabbat Experience: A Guide to Shabbat Practice
Welcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat
Guide to the Morning Service

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Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation
7727 Persimmon Tree Lane
Bethesda, MD 20817

E-mail info@adatshalom.net

Phone: 301-767-3333 x106 | FAX: 301-767-3340

Shabbat Services: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.

We are an affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
and part of the Chesapeake Region of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (CRJRF)