From the morning minyan to Shabbat and holiday services, Congregation Brith Sholom offers its members many opportunities for congregational worship throughout the year. Congregants contribute weekly in leading our services, coordinating the logistics of the Torah readings, and joining in the ruach (spirit) of the worship. We are a Conservative, egalitarian community.
Join our Minyan-airres Monday and Thursday at 7:45 am to start your day off right with a burst of Judaism, CBS style: worship, Torah reading, and food! Minyan is followed by breakfast and schmoozing in the Goodman Library. Morning minyan begins at 9 a.m. on the six major secular holidays. Congregants who desire a morning minyan on a different weekday or an evening service (Mincha and/or Ma-ariv) for the purpose of saying Kaddish or for a yahrzeit should contact the rabbi at 610-866-8009.
Several times a year, we hold Kabbalat Shabbat services in conjunction with a special Friday night dinner. In the summertime, we worship under the stars on Friday evenings for our Starry Shabbat series.
Shabbat morning services begin at 9 am every Saturday of the year. Each service is followed by a sit-down brunch or lunch-style kiddush.
Major holiday services begin at 9 a.m. in the main sanctuary and conclude around 11:45 a.m. A warm, sit-down kiddush follows these services in the Gross Family social hall.
While our Saturday morning services are primarily led by Rabbi Michael Singer and Cantor Sam Guncler, we welcome and encourage congregational participation in the service. Congregants participate in the readings and songs. Some chant portions of the weekly Torah parsha. Many chant Haftarah, sometimes reprising their own bar or bat mitzvah portion many years after the fact. It is our desire that all of our members and guests feel comfortable in our synagogue.
The kiddush at the conclusion of each Shabbat service is one of our most cherished parts of the week. We gather for a communal meal with a friendly and relaxed vibe. It’s a time for refreshment and social interaction – a chance to “shmooze” with friends and discuss the news of the day, meet new congregants, and catch up on what’s happening in the community – to really get into the experience of Shabbat at a time apart from the pressures of the week. The rabbi and various congregants chant the birkat haMazon or grace after meals. (If you went to a Jewish sleep-away camp, you probably know it. If not, it’s easy to learn.) Afterwards, we invite you to join the rabbi around the table for an ongoing Talmud class. Everyone is welcome to join in at any time and learn as you go.
