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Ritual

Shabbat

Our doors are open to all who seek to worship, learn and serve the community.

Services at  Congregation Bet Haverim are a learning experience.  During the service members of the Minyan are encouraged to raise their hand if they have a question regarding the structure of the service, the meaning of a prayer, the interpretation of the Torah portion or a comment regarding the practice of Judaism.

Our goal is to broaden the understanding of Judaism.  And through better understanding establish each individual’s relationship with G-d.  Join us to experience our interactive service.  Come learn with us.

about our services

In keeping with Reconstructionist ideals, worship is a collaborative effort. Congregants share service leadership duties with the rabbi, and participation is always welcome and warmly encouraged. 
 
Worship liturgy centers on "Kol Haneshamah" (Voice of the Soul), the Reconstructionist siddur (prayer book) developed cooperatively by rabbis and lay members.
 
All prayers are egalitarian and gender-neutral, and liturgy honors the contributions of women and men throughout our history and heritage.
 
There’s something different each week, from our fourth Friday Shabbat dinner, inspiring lessons from Rabbi Josh, monthly tot shabbats, musically infused services, to our amazing services led by lay leaders. Services are followed by a light oneg and time to connect with our community.
 
Our service schedule for the current month, along with other events, can be found on our calendar.
 
Unless otherwise noted on the calendar, all services are held at our location in Toco Hills: 2074 Lavista Rd. Parking is available across Lavista Rd at the Intown Community Church and in the neighborhood.
 
Erev Shabbat Service - Start your Shabbat at CBH! Each week, our very own Rabbi Josh Lesser, Lay-cantor Gayane Geurin, and members lead a service filled with music, discussion and cameraderie. Our services are based on the Reconstructionist prayerbook, Kol Haneshama. In both form and content, our goal is to balance tradition with creativity in our services. Members are encouraged to take on leadership roles in our services. Our children and the adults are invited to actively participate.
 
Our Friday night services are followed by an oneg, hosted by members of the congregation. If you would like to host an oneg to mark a simcha, remember a loved one, or just because, please sign up here or email the office. Contact the office for more details.
 

Chanting And Meditation

The CBH community holds regular chanting services, meditation, and meditation and mussar services. Please be sure to check our online calendar in case of cancellations or schedule changes.

If you are interested in our Monday evening or Wednesday morning programs, please contact Gayanne Geurin so she can add you to the email list to alert you of any last minute service chances.
 

Meditation and Chant
Mondays once a month at 6pm at CBH

 6:00 silent meditation, meditation instruction and guided meditation

 6:30 chant

For more information and dates, contact Gayanne Geurin
 

Morning Chant Wednesdays at 7:30am
This group meets at Mulberry Fields park for weekly morning chant services. contact Gayanne Geurin for information about changes in date/place. And ask to be put  on the Chant google group so you will stay up to date.

Chant Services - Friday nights approximately every 2 months -  sign up for bet*mail so you will always know when there is one coming up!
Come experience a unique Shabbat service of Sacred Hebrew Chant.  We open our hearts and create the mood for Shabbat with a musical practice that is easy to experience and easy to join in. Prayers are adapted to Hebrew mantras.  Through repetition and singing, one can enter meditative states of devotion and connection to the Divine.  For more information, contact Gayanne Geurin

Meditation and Mussar - Catch your breath and hold it. Join us once a month before Shabbat services for an hour program that incorporates text study and contemplative practice. We typically meet the first Friday of each month, but please check the calendar to confirm.

Mussar is the Jewish path to character development – a Mensch curriculum .  Mussar teaches us to take the measure of our soul traits like compassion, greed, courage, humility, anger, and generosity and then determine in which direction to turn in our actions so as to live up to our own high ethical standards.

Chant Retreat
A yearly day-long chant and meditation experience.

Fri, August 23 2019 22 Av 5779