Temple Israel Center - Prayer and Religious Life

Please check the calendar for the exact time of all Shabbat services and candle lightings each week.

KABBALAT SHABBAT
On Friday night, Erev Shabbat, we welcome Shabbat with a preliminary service of prayer and song called Kabbalat Shabbat, Welcoming the Sabbath. that was instituted by kabbalist (Jewish Mystic) Rabbi Moses Cordovero of Safed (1522-1570). The beginning of the Kabbalat Shabbat service is comprised of the Six Psalms of Creation (95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 29). Shabbat is represented by the poem, Lecha Dodi that was written by Cordovero's brother-in-law, Solomon ben Moses HaLevi Alkabetz. Services are held at sunset, but never later than 6:45 PM. Listen to Cantor Mendelson chanting Kabbalat Shabbat.

YEDID NEFESH - Song for the Soul

Join members of our community for a unique and musical Kabbalat Shabbat experience, followed by Ma'ariv. Service led by our Rabbinic Intern, Aderet Drucker. Adults and children of all ages are welcome. Yedid Nefesh takes place once a month. Next services: February 10, April 27, May 18 and June 22.

Pause. Breathe. Connect. Sing. Yedid Nefesh.

CELEBRATE SHABBAT WITH SONG
This is a spirited, alternative Friday night service followed by a dairy dinner. The services are complete Kabbalat Shabbat services designed to encourage singing and particpation, and are children friendly (but you do not need to bring children to attend!) Services begin at 5:30 pm followed by a buffet dinner at 6:45 pm. EVERYONE IS WELCOME ~ Reservations are required and a modest fee is charged for dinner.

SHABBAT MORNING
A Guide to Shabbat at Temple Israel Center
Read Shabbat sermons & articles by our clergy

Tempe Israel Center provides several options for Shabbat morning:

SHABBAT SERVICES in the Milstein Sanctuary
Our Shabbat morning services are held in the Milstein Sanctuary. Our service includes reading the entire Torah portion each week, traditional prayer, spirited congregational singing, a weekly Torah commentary, the commemoration and celebration of lifecycle events, and a sermon.

We encourage congregational participation in all aspects of our Shabbat services, including reading from the Torah, chanting a Haftarah, sharing a duet with our cantor, and acknowledging special occasions with an aliyah or other honor. If you would like to particpate or learn new synagogue skills, contact Rabbi Shargel, Cantor Mendelson, Rabbi Tucker or Rabbi Goldman.

ALTERNATIVE MINYANIM

HAVURAH MINYAN (meets bi-monthly in the gymnasium)
An alternative Shabbat morning service run by members, not the rabbis or cantor, in a smaller, more informal space. Meets at 9:30 am in the gymnasium. Upcoming services: 1/21; 2/11; 3/3 and 3/17; 4/21; 5/5 and 5/19; 6/2 and 6/16.

CONTEMPLATIVE SERVICE (meets monthy in the gymnasium)
This alternative Shabbat morning service, led by Rabbi Gordon Tucker, is built around three elements that are integrated into the basic structure of the tefillah: soulful melodies, spiritual texts that put us in touch with our religious experiences, and guided meditation to nurture mindful prayer. Meets at 10:30 am in the Chapel. Upcoming services: 1/14; 2/4; 3/31; 4/28; 5/26; 6/23. Listen to Rabbi Tucker chant the nigunim (melodies) of the Contemplative Service.

YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES
(more information & schedule)

Shirah Shabbat
10:45-11:30 am in Room B on the lower level
For children 0-4 years with parents/grandparents

Shabbat B'yahad (Shabbat Together)
10:45 am in Lower Level classrooms D & E
A Shabbat morning service for families with children 8 years old and younger.

Shabbat Experience
10:45 am in the Lower Level Conference Room
A Shabbat morning service for children in grades 2 through 6 and their families. Children can come without their families as well.

SHABBAT AFTERNOON

KIDDUSH
Following Shabbat or Festival services, a community Kiddush is held to provide time to visit with friends, discuss the morning’s Torah Commentary or sermon, and to enjoy refreshments. Members of the congregation often participate in or sponsor the Kiddush to celebrate a family simha or to mark a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, or graduation. (More information about co-sponsoring a Kiddush can be found here.)

PARASHAT HASHAVUA CLASS
Meets at 1:00 pm in Room B.

SHABBAT AFTERNOON CAFE
This is a fun, relaxed Shabbat afternoon where adults can talk and play a little Bananagrams, Rummikub or Blokus while the children play board games or run around in the Gym. Everyone of all ages is welcome (no need to bring kids to attend!). We meet on the Lower Level at 1:45 pm on four Shabbat aftenoons in the winter. Games are followed by Minhah at 3:30 pm and dessert and coffee. ALL ARE WELCOME ~ No reservations required. Upcoming programs: January 28 and March 3.

MINHAH/MA'ARIV
in the Milstein Sanctuary
As the sun sets on Saturday evening, taking with it the beauty of Shabbat, we daven Minhah (the afternoon service), read from the Torah, proceed to Ma'ariv (the evening service) and Havdalah (the prayers that separate Shabbat from weekdays).