Religious Services

Daily Services 

Shabbat Services

Tot Shabbat

10:45 am 
Tot Shabbat is a fun, interactive service geared toward preschool children age 2 to 5 years old. Children sing songs in both English and Hebrew while actively learning about Shabbat and the Jewish holidays. Stories, games, puppet play, marching with the Torahs and interactive felt boards are used to instill a love of Judiasm in our youngest congregants. The service concludes with the children enjoying a light kiddush of grape juice, challah and raisins.

Torah Time

10:45 am
Torah Time is a fun, interactive service geared toward children in kindergarten through second grade. Children participate in the friendly service by using an easy to read siddur, carrying child sized Torahs and singing familiar prayers. Every Shabbat the parshah is discussed in an age appropriate manner. The service concludes with the children enjoying a light kiddush of grape juice, challah and raisins.

Junior Congregation

10:30 am 
Making davening fun is no small feat, but the BHCBE Jr. Congregation manages to do so each and every Shabbat for 3rd through 6th graders. Children are up on the bimah, out of their seats and fully engaged. They learn not just how to participate in meaningful Shabbat prayers, but what they mean and why prayer together is so important. Every week one grade level takes their turn leading a large contingent of "regulars" who come together for in depth, innovative activities based on the weekly Torah reading, unraveling our ancient text and making it meaningful, relevant and fun for all. 

Got Playtime?

Usually on the second Shabbat of the month, we enjoy "Got Playtime?" It's for young families and the young at heart. Join us towards the end of kiddush to relax, shmooze, and play with other kids. Healthy snacks will be provided, as well as toys and games. Come for half an hour or stay until 3 pm... it's playgroup, and all are invited.

Alternative Minyanim

Contemplative Minyan

10:30 am on the third Shabbat of the month
Lead by Cantor Jan Mahler, this service begins with a niggun (song without words) as well as some grounding-type exercise, followed by P'sukei d'zimrah and moving into Shacharit. It incorporates lots of singing: songs of the liturgy as well as nigunim. People of all levels of Hebrew and Jewish background are welcome. English transliteration of some prayers are provided and time for study and reflection is woven into the 90 minutes we spend together. It does not include musaf which participants are encouraged to do on their own at some other time during the afternoon. The service meets in the Library at 10:30 a.m. If you think you are a seeker, this minyan may be just right for you. Please feel free to email any questions here. If you would like a monthly reminder about the minyan, please send your request here.

Kehillah Minyan

The Kehillah Minyan is a congregant led egalitarian minyan that meets monthly on Shabbat morning in the Men's Club auditorium. In an intimate and relaxed setting, our Tefillah service is distinguished by a full Psukei d'Zimrah and full repetitions of both the Shacharit and Mussaf amidah. Individuals and families join in participating and leading our services commensurate with their abilities. We encourage everyone to continue developing their davening and Torah reading skills, through mentoring if desired. Click here for our Facebook page, or to sign up for our Yahoo listserv. If you have any questions, or want to volunteer, contact Norman Eliaser or Jeremy Kraff.

Learner's Minyan

10 am on the second Shabbat of the month
This is a minyan for everyone – daily daveners and people who don’t yet read Hebrew. We explore multiple ways of connection through our traditional service: an intellectual grasp of the structure and meaning of the service and of individual prayers, the art of traditional davenning, raising our voices together in song, and engaging in study of our main text -- the Siddur and our lives. This minyan is shaped by the needs and contributions of the people who are present that morning. Feel free to try it out one time or come every month. Contact Rabbi Ruven Barkan with questions.