We also hold a monthly Friday evening Shabbat Service. We begin at 7 pm with a light supper, followed at 8 pm by a short service. Beginning at 8:30 pm is a program that may be oriented toward adults or designed for the whole family; it ends between 9:30 and 10 pm, depending on the nature of the program and the enthusiasm of the discussion.
The Beth Chai Tot Shabbat service starts at 6:30 pm and finishes by 7 pm, when participants may opt to leave or to stay for the group supper. This service is offered to families for whose needs the 8 pm service either begins or ends too late, and to all who enjoy a healthy dose of youthful enthusiasm! The Tot Shabbat service features playful songs led by Cantor Andrea Foster and Shabbat blessings over the candles, challah, and grape juice. In addition, a brief story is usually told from a picture book, the subject of which may be Shabbat or a current Jewish holiday; Once Upon a Shabbos and Something from Nothing have been among those used.
For questions about our Shabbat Service programming, please contact Ken Jacobson. For questions about our Tot Shabbat programming, please contact Joe Gitchell.
If you would like to attend one of our Shabbat services as a non-member, please contact our Membership committee beforehand to let us know you are planning to come so that we can make sure to greet you. Such visits are free of charge.
Unless otherwise indicated, Beth Chai High Holy Day services and Shabbat celebrations are held at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road, Bethesda, Maryland. Other holiday celebrations are held at Burning Tree Elementary School. Please click here for directions to both locations.