Shabbat Services

Shabbat evening services at Beth Ahabah are participatory and joyful. Our siddur, or prayer book, is Mishkan T'filah, the new prayer book of the Reform movement. Our music covers the broad spectrum of styles from contemporary to Classical. There is lmost always a Torah service. An Oneg Shabbat, an opportunity for refreshments and socializing, follows every service.

Approximately once a month we have Family services which are more informal and feature Etz Chayim, our youth choir. Family services include a story from the rabbi, a Torah service, and birthday blessings.

Also approximately once a month our Adult Volunteer choir, directed by Natan Berenshteyn, participates in services. Our choir also presents occasional music programs at services during the year.

At some Shabbat evening services during the year, we honor members of the Congregation (e.g. Volunteer Recognition and Installation Shabbats) and our auxilary groups (e.g. Sisterhood and Brotherhood Shabbats). On occasion we use creative services made especially for the evening and welcome guest speakers to the Congregation.

Approximately once a month between September and May we have Tot Shabbat, an informal Shabbat service for very young children and their families. There is a short service led by the Rabbi and Ramona followed by singing or an arts and crafts project. They are held on Fridays at 5:30pm beginning with a family dinner.

From September through June, Shabbat evening services are held in the main Sanctuary at 7:30pm. During the summer months, most services are held in the Gumenick Chapel at 6:30pm.

There are Shabbat morning services only when we are observing and celebrating a child's becoming Bar / Bat Mitzvah. Shabbat morning services begin at 10:30am.

Everybody: members, non-member, visitors, and students, are welcome to attend and participate in all of our worship services.

- Aliyah Blessings >>

- Candle Blessing and Kiddush Instructions >>

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Jewish Holidays

Beth Ahabah holds worship services and other activities to mark the Jewish Holidays. These services and programs reflect the appropriate tone for each occasion ranging from evening festival services, to a Religious School Passover Seder, to a party at Chanukah, to plays and performances at Purim. Please see the Congregation calendar for more details >>

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Yom Kippur Family Service

Music

Congregation Beth Ahabah is proud to offer a beautiful and comprehensive music program. We encourage our congregants and visitors to fully participate in the diverse music of our Worship Services and our community. Our Adult Volunteer Choir, under the direction of accompanist/music director Natan Berenshteyn, graces us with their participation in Worship Services throughout the year as well as in concerts and events in Richmond. The Choir meets on Monday nights from 7:00 to 8:30. Our Youth Choir, Etz Chayim, for children five to eleven, is our "jewel." Etz Chayim, under the direction of Natan, continues to delight worshippers and audiences with their voices and their enthusiastic and beautiful faces. Any child in our Religious School is welcomed to Etz Chayim. Our rehearsals take place on Sundays from 11:15 - 11:45. Our Congregation offers several special Music programs annually, including Jewish Music Shabbat, Shabbat Shirah and an annual Concert. We warmly invite you to join us in making music and friendships that will last a lifetime.

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Bar/Bat Mitzvah

We observe and celebrate a child's becoming a Bar and Bat Mitzvah during Shabbat morning services. Children becoming B'nei Mitzvah lead much of the service and read from the Torah.

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Religious School >>