Shabbat, the Hebrew word for sabbath, is observed as a day of rest, joy, and holiness. Shabbat is the only sacred day in Judaism that occurs every week and is the only ritual prescribed by the Ten Commandments.
Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday with the kindling of candles. It concludes with the appearance of three stars in the sky and the recitation of Havdalah (a ceremony of separation) on Saturday night. To paraphrase the writer Ahad Ha-am, Shabbat has been a major force in the survival and vitality of the Jewish people throughout history.
Shabbat Services
When Rabbi Cantor John Kaplan is here, services begin at 7:00 p.m. Otherwise, services begin at 6:00 p.m. and are led by a member of the congregation.
