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Services

All of our religious services are conducted in both Hebrew and English. Men and women sit together and participate equally in services - women may lead services and read from the Torah scrolls, and men may light the Shabbat candles.

AVODAT HALEV (RITES AND PRACTICES)

This Committee, composed of members of the congregation and the Rabbi, is responsible for the organisation of the weekly services, festivals and special observances.

SHABBAT SERVICES

We hold Shabbat services every Friday and Saturday.

Fridays  at 8:00pm, except on the First Friday of each month when we have a Chavurah (shared) Supper which begins at 7:00pm.

On the second Friday of the month the 8pm service is followed by an Oneg (talk).

Saturdays at 11:00am followed by Kiddush, plus a Chavurah lunch on the third Shabbat of the month when our religion school students lead a service for the whole congregation to enjoy.

On the second Shabbat of the month, the congregation become students, participating in a Beit Midrash – ‘House of Study’ – as the Torah reading section of the service expands (and the other parts of the service reduce) to allow for extended exploration of the Parashah – the Torah portion of the week.

CHAVURAH SUPPERS AND KIDDUSHIM

All Shabbat services are followed by a Kiddush, a chance for members to catch up and have a chat over some challah and wine. Special Kiddushim for specific events are often sponsored by members of the congregation and can be organised via our office .

On the First Friday of the month we hold a Chavurah Supper, beginning at 7:00pm to which you are invited to bring a vegetarian or permitted fish dish to share and enjoy together. Supper is followed by singing and Birkat Ha-Mazon (Thanksgiving for Food).

On the third Saturday of the month we hold a Chavurah lunch after the Service,  to which you are invited to bring a vegetarian or permitted fish dish to share and enjoy together.

FESTIVALS

We commemorate the full calendar of holy days, and hold a communal Seder on the first night of Pesach.

LIFE-CYCLE EVENTS

Nothing gives us more pleasure as a community than sharing significant moments in our lives – baby blessings, bar/bat mitzvahs (including those of members who are well past their thirteenth birthday), significant birthdays, weddings and conversions. Rabbi Elli’s interest in ritual and prayer has also led her to develop services for events traditionally neglected, such as miscarriage or stillbirth.

CHOIR

Music is an important part of our services. Our Choir accompanies our High Holy Day Services, but a positive consequence of not having a weekly choir is that the congregation joins in singing at all our services. The Choir is always looking for new members, and you do not need to read Hebrew to join us. All of the music is transcribed.

A CD of Shabbat songs produced and sung by Rabbi Sarah and Andy Cable can be ordered for £10 from the BHPS office or online.

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