Shabbat Services

“Those who keep the Sabbath and call it a delight will rejoice!”

At Temple B’nai Jeshurun, we believe that Shabbat services should be meaningful, relevant, and a joy to attend. Our congregation loves to sing and we are known for the music at our services, from our soloists and accompanists to choirs and ensembles. Friday night Shabbat services vary from week to week.

First Fridays normally feature two services, both of which begin at 6 pm. In our chapel, we hold Classical Reform Shabbat services which re lay-led and utilize the Chicago Sinai Union Prayerbook. In our social hall, we hold Family Shabbat services led by the rabbi which use a prayer book oriented toward children and feature a story. Popcorn, drinks, and other snacks are available throughout the service. We now also hold craft time for younger children beginning at 5 pm on those Friday nights.

Services over the rest of the month utilize the Reform movement’s prayerbook, Mishkan Tefilah and have contents that change week to week. Some weeks will feature a sermon, others a text study, or a set of songs prepared by our choir. Most weeks, music will feature a soloist and accompanist on guitar, but on no few Shabbatot (the plural of the word “Shabbat”), we have additional voices and instruments participating as well.

Each week, Shabbat services begin at 6 pm on Friday evenings and at 10 am on Saturday mornings. On Friday evenings, service is preceded by a social time featuring wine and snacks that begins at 5:30 pm. Saturday morning services are preceded by our weekly Text Study which begins at 9 am.

Visitors are always welcome and students and tour groups are often present. We ask that groups call our office (515-274-4679) so that we might ensure both that we might provide appropriate accommodations for your and our needs. Most people attending services at the Temple will wear “business casual” attire. Many of our members come to services straight from work on Friday nights. Students often come from school to services and school appropriate attire is perfectly fine as well. In a Reform congregation, men are not required to cover their heads, nor are women required to cover their shoulders. We do provide kipot (also known as “yarlmulkes,” the skull cap traditionally worn by men) for those desiring to wear them.