Family Shabbat Services "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy".¹  It is the only holiday mentioned in the 10 commandments.  It is held in esteem so high that you are not allowed to do any work, often more Torah readings (aliyot) are given out on Shabbat, and it is often considered a more important holiday than Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).  We often forget that it has only been in recent times that the vast majority of people would get a day of rest from our labors.  This was usually something reserved for wealthy people only.  All the rest of us had to work just to survive.  To read and learn more about Shabbat, click on the candles...

Shabbat involves two interrelated commandments: to remember (zachor) Shabbat, and to observe (shamor) Shabbat.  Temple Beth Shalom has begun an effort to help families come together to learn and appreciate this great, weekly holiday.  Our first effort in this plan was to be a charter sponsor of  Shabbat Across America.  We also conduct periodic family shabbat services; some in conjunction with the Shalom School.  For more information see our section on Religious Services.

1 - Excerpts from Judaism 101


Community ShabbatAnother way we encourage Shabbat observance is to provide a means for our members to invite each other over to celebrate Shabbat at the member's home.  Through the community the temple fosters among it's members, we work to encourage families that become friends to enjoy the holiday through either making a Shabbat at their house or visiting their friends on the weekend.  This is a more informal way the temple supports Shabbat and is always up to the individual member families to arrange.

Check your temple bulletin or service schedule for the upcoming announcement of this event or a similar regular shabbat observance.

Please join us at a Shabbat event soon!