Gather all the people together. Deuteronomy 31:12
Shabbat and Holiday worship at Congregation Beth Am is a joyful, uplifting, spiritual gathering of our community. Our services are filled with opportunities for personal soulful and theological connections.
OUR 7:00 PM EREV SHABBAT SERVICE
Our 30 minute Friday night Shabbat service brings in the spirit of Shabbat with song, joy and a warm an inclusive community. Guests and newcomers are invited to join us and children are always welcome. Congregation Beth Am’s Friday night service recognizes our need to stop and take a breath as our everyday world spins faster and faster. Our “Cheers-ful” atmosphere guarantees that CBA is a place “where everyone knows your name.”
OUR 9:30 AM SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE
The tone of our Shabbat morning service is traditional and warm, with the reading of the weekly Torah portion and the discussion of its applicability to the world today. We encourage lay involvement on every level. Guests and newcomers are welcome.
9:00 AM SUNDAY MORNING MINYAN SERVICE
The minyan represents the entire Jewish People across the boundaries of geography and time. This quorum of 10 Jewish men and women (over the age of 12) is required so participants may recite Kaddish.
Holidays at Congregation Beth Am
Holidays are special at Beth Am, with services that reflect the solemnity or festivity of the holiday. We invite you to join us as each holiday is observed or celebrated with traditions that reflect the vibrant and welcoming character of our congregation. Holiday services are filled with spiritual meaning, and are often followed by a festive holiday oneg (joyful social gathering). Non-members are encouraged to contact the synagogue office (407-862-3505) if you are interested in purchasing tickets.
Rosh HaShanah
We welcome the New Year with a tone of joy, reflection, optimism and community.
On the Saturday night preceding Rosh HaShanah, we come together for Community S’lichot — preparing our hearts and minds for the days of awe.
Yom Kippur
The transformative meanings of Yom Kippur unfold over a full day of immersion as we observe the “Day of Atonement” with fasting, prayer and repentance.
Sukkot
Each Sukkot we give thanks for the fall harvest and commemorate 40 years of Jewish wandering in the desert after Sinai. Members of our Men’s Club build a wonderful sukkah that is decorated by our school students and enjoyed by all.
For our intimate and joyful Sukkot morning services, we gather in prayer , wave the lulav and delight in the wonderful fragrance of the etrog. Services are followed by Kiddush in the sukkah.
On the eighth day of Sukkot, we observe Shemini Atzeret. We close the season of holidays with joy as we share Yizkor memorial services together.
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah is the time when we celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. At this joyous festival, we affirm our view of the Torah as a tree of life and demonstrate a living example of never-ending, lifelong study. During the Torah service, the concluding section of Deuteronomy is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B’reishit as it is called in Hebrew, is read. It is a time for rejoicing as we dance with the Torah scrolls!
Hanukkah
Each winter we celebrate Chanukah, the eight-day commemoration of the victory of the Macabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. Families bring their menorahs to temple, and together we celebrate the joy of the candle lighting ceremony.
Tu B’Shevat
Tu B’Shevat, the “New Year of the Trees,” is Jewish Arbor Day. Scholars believe that Tu BiShvat was originally an agricultural festival, marking the emergence of spring. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.C.E.
Purim
Purim is a time for celebration at Congregation Beth Am as we enjoy a rousing reading of the Megillah, recounting the story of Esther. Congregants of all ages don whimsical costumes to prepare for an evening of merriment, music and mishegas.
Passover
Passover is the Jewish spring festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. We gather as a congregation for a First Night Seder to celebrate freedom with prayer and song.
Shavuot
The Beth Am service celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The whole family enjoys hearing the Ten Commandments as they are chanted from the Torah. We also share Yizkor memorial services together.
Tisha B’Av
Tisha B’Av is a spiritual and contemplative commemoration of exile and loss. Together we chant from the book of Lamentations and mark the occasion with study and reflection.
We celebrate all life cycle events as a congregational family: Bar/Bat Mitzva, wedding aufrufs, baby-namings, birthdays and anniversaries, and any celebration of life imaginable.