Saturday Morning Feels Like This
A little quieter, a little more intimate, and filled with the beautiful sounds of Hebrew prayer.
There’s something special about Shabbat morning at Beth Israel.
Saturday mornings bring together a smaller group of people for prayer, Torah, and conversation. It’s a warm, relaxed gathering where familiar voices chant ancient prayers, the Torah is read, and there’s always room for another person to join us.
There’s no piano or guitar on Saturday mornings. Just our voices, the beautiful melodies of Jewish prayer, and the joy of sharing Shabbat together.
It’s a different experience from Friday night, and one we hope you’ll come enjoy with us.
- Every Saturday at Beth Israel
- 9:30 a.m.Morning Blessings (Birkot HaShachar)
- 10:00 a.m.Shabbat Morning Worship (Shacharit)
- 10:30 a.m.Torah Service (Seder K’riat HaTorah)
- 11:00 a.m.Closing Prayers (Aleinu and Kaddish Yatom), Kiddush & Motzi
- Following worshipTorah Study (Talmud Torah)
- Where
- For the location of services and Torah study, please contact the BIC office: office@bethisraelms.org or 601-956-6215.
- On Zoom
- Can’t join us in person? One link works for the whole morning, services and Torah study. Meeting ID: 889 5096 6385
So, what’s Saturday morning like?
- 9:30 a.m.
We ease into the morning together.
We begin at 9:30 with Birkot HaShachar, our morning blessings, taking a little time to welcome the day with gratitude.
At 10:00, we begin our Shabbat morning worship moving into the familiar prayers of the Jewish liturgy.
There’s no rush and no need to know exactly what comes next. Just settle in and enjoy being part of the morning.
- 10:00 a.m.
Hebrew is at the heart of our worship.
Our Saturday service is mostly in Hebrew, using Mishkan T’filah, the Reform Jewish prayer book.
The prayers are chanted a cappella, led by Amanda Margolis and Student Rabbi Ben Russell. Without instruments, there’s something especially lovely about hearing our voices come together in prayer.
If you enjoy Hebrew liturgy, or you’ve been curious about experiencing a more Hebrew-centered Jewish service, Saturday morning is a wonderful time to visit.
We’re a Reform congregation, and our worship reflects that, while embracing the Hebrew prayers and melodies that have connected Jewish communities for generations.
And if you don’t know Hebrew, that’s perfectly fine! You’re welcome to sing along, follow the prayers in the book, or simply enjoy listening.
- 10:30 a.m.
We gather around the Torah.
Around 10:30, we open the ark and begin our Seder K’riat HaTorah (Torah Service), led by Student Rabbi Ben.
Each week, we read from the Torah in Hebrew, and we often include a reading from the Haftarah as well.
There’s something beautiful about gathering around the Torah, hearing its words chanted aloud, and remembering that we’re part of a conversation that has continued for thousands of years.
- 11:00 a.m.
We end with blessings and a little time together.
Around 11:00, we conclude our worship with Aleinu and Mourner’s Kaddish.
Then we share Kiddush, the blessing over wine, and Motzi, the blessing over bread.
It’s a lovely way to end our morning prayers, but the morning isn’t quite over!
- After worship
Stay a while for Torah study!
After worship, we gather for one of our favorite parts of Saturday morning: Torah study.
This is where things get especially interesting! We explore the weekly Torah portion together, ask questions, share perspectives, and consider what these ancient stories might mean for the lives we’re living today.
Sometimes we agree. Sometimes we don’t. Sometimes a question takes us somewhere none of us expected. And that’s part of the fun!
You don’t need to know Hebrew or have any background in Jewish study. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your own experiences. There’s always something we can learn from one another.
Saturday Torah Study
Read the week’s Torah together after Shabbat morning services, with a booklet for each week.
More about Torah Study →New to Saturday morning worship?
We’d love to welcome you!
Whether you’ve been attending synagogue your whole life, haven’t been in years, or are simply curious about Jewish worship, there’s a place for you here.
You don’t need to know the prayers or understand every Hebrew word. Come as you are, find a seat, and make yourself comfortable.
We’ll be glad you’re here.
We’d love to save you a seat.
Come for the whole morning, or join us for whatever part of the morning works for you. There’s something wonderful about beginning Shabbat morning with prayer, good conversation, and a community that enjoys being together.