Temple Beth Or welcomes visitors. Every service for Shabbat, holidays and festivals is open without charge to anyone who would like to worship with us.

The notion of setting aside every seventh day as a day of rest was an idea of great genius among the early Hebrews. Other societies in the ancient Near East apparently regarded the phases of the moon to be days of superstition and dread - days to avoid going out of the house or engaging in work. The Hebrews turned a day of fear into a day celebrating God's creation, a day to rest from work and become closer to God. Shabbat - the word means "He rested," in Hebrew - is one of Judaism's most ancient holidays, and was regarded by the early rabbis as its most important - even more so than Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

At Temple Beth Or, Shabbat services are held every Friday evening throughout the year, usually at 6:00 p.m. Shabbat morning services are held monthly except during summer, at 9:30 a.m., and include Torah reading, a light brunch and study.

Our Temple has been using Reform prayer books for more than a century. Gates of Prayer, published in 1975, has been the regular Siddur in recent years. A new prayer book, Mishkan T'filah (see below), published in 2007, has been introduced for Shabbat morning worship and has been approved for weekly use beginning in May 2010. Check our monthly bulletins for its schedule of use during the transition period. The Union Prayer Book, Newly Revised (1941) is used approximately once per quarter, accompanied by music commonly used in that era among "Classical" Reform congregations.

Music for most Friday evening services is provided by a professional choir, led by Dr. Elizabeth French who also accompanies on a traditional organ. They also accompany services for the High Holy Days. Guitar or electronic keyboard accompaniment with solo singers have also been introduced for some services, introducing new music modes and the opportunity to participate in community singing. Shabbat services almost invariably include a sermon. Rabbi Stevens welcomes suggestions for sermon topics.

Shabbat services are the high point of a congregational week at Temple Beth Or. Baby namings, anniversary and birthday blessings and occasional receptions and guest speakers have added a wonderful atmosphere of joy and sanctity to our community.

 Check the congregational calendar for more details about timing and special events.