Temple Shalom - Schedule

From High Holy Days and weekly Shabbat worship, to monthly Tot, Junior Congregation, and Family Services, we offer members of all ages the tools to build their own foundation in Jewish values. Temple members launched a successful lay-led midweek minyan. Our vibrant Shabbat morning study has grown into a deep and enriching experience of worship and exploration of Judaism.

Read below for the usual pattern of services or visit our calendar for a complete detailed listing of events by day, or to check the specific schedule each month. (The summer schedule departs from this pattern; please check the full calendar for specific service times in July and August.)

Erev Shabbat (Friday evenings)

"At Temple Shalom, we take the commandment to 'celebrate' Shabbat seriously. Our services are joyful, warm and welcoming, with something to touch both the mind and heart." A variety of worship experiences throughout the month provide members different ways to engage the power of prayer - and the potential of Jewish spirituality to reach our souls and change our lives.

First Friday - Family Service at 7:30 pm

Although children are always welcome in our services and our Sanctuary, we come together on the first Friday night of the month with a worship service especially designed for families. Our monthly birthday blessing occurs as part of the Torah service, and our Children's Choir will participate at some of these services.

Second Friday - Shir Shalom at 8:00 pm

We come together in song and celebration, as Shir Shalom, our amazing Adult Choir enhances our worship, with the participation of the entire congregation always in mind, A sermon and Torah reading will usually be part of this service.

Third Friday - Shabbat Service at 8:00 pm

Occasionally preceded by a dinner and may feature remarks on a theme of social justice.

Also Tot Shabbat at 6:45pm. Click here for a schedule Tot Shabbat at Temple Shalom 5768 (Also, check the calendar)

A special service for the youngest among us, our "hopping" Tot Shabbat, with blessings and stories, candles and cookies, and a great time for all.

Fourth Friday - Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:15pm

An early, informal, lay-led camp-style service in the Sanctuary, followed by a Pot Luck Shabbat Dinner in the Chapel at 7:00 pm.

Also, our more familiar "late" Erev Shabbat service follows at 8:00 pm

Fifth Friday (when it occurs) - an "early" Erev Shabbat Service at 6:00pm, followed by a Congregational Shabbat Dinner at 7:00 pm

(Check the Shofar, the monthly bulletin, or call the synagogue
at 301-587-2273 for information on reservations for each of these Friday nights).

Shabbat Morning and Afternoon Service
(Saturdays at Temple Shalom)

Every Shabbat Morning at 10:00 am - Shabbat Morning Worship and Study

A fairly brief Shabbat morning service (including a reading from the Torah scroll), followed by in-depth study, intimate prayer, and informal congeniality. Meets in the Chapel except on the Second Saturday of the month.

Rabbi Feshbach, Rabbi Serotta, Cantor Tasat, Rabbi Emeritus Bruce Kahn, Director of Education JoHanna Potts and others share their scholarly insights and participate with us weekly in a lively discussion on our most fundamental sacred text.

Shabbat Morning Service at 10:00 am (Check the calendar)

Held in the Sanctuary on most Saturday mornings, this is the service at which the youth of our congregation step into their roles as "teachers of Torah, leaders of prayer." The participation of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah in this service reflects our pride in our students, and their commitment to continue their Jewish education represents, in turn, the best hope for the next generation of Jewish adults.

Second Saturday - Shabbat Morning Family Service
and Primary Age Shabbat (Check the calendar)

Shabbat Morning Family Service, 10:00 am (Check the calendar). A one-hour interactive chapel service co-led by students in grades Four through Seven including a Torah service and discussion. A wonderful opportunity for students and adults to become familiar with the music and prayers of the Shabbat morning service. Followed by challah, cookies and kiddush.

Primary Age Shabbat, 9:00 am (Check the calendar). An engaging Chapel service designed to appeal to children in Kindergarten through Third Grade and their parents, with participatory singing, storytelling and Shabbat joy. Followed by challah, cookies and kiddush.

Other Religious Services

Wednesday Morning Minyan, 7:00am

Every Wednesday morning at 7 am, a group of people meet in the chapel to pray and learn—and then shmooze (chat) over bagels and coffee. The Minyan has evolved over years, attracting Temple Shalom members and "regulars" from other synagogues as well. The shacharit (morning) service is informal, fully participatory (no specific leader), and amended as the heart dictates. There is no Hebrew literacy required, no awkwardness. This service offers an opportunity to say Kaddish (the Jewish prayer of mourning, customarily recited every day in the year following the loss of a loved one) or acknowledge any event in a Jewish manner.

Holidays and Festivals

Full partners in the spiritual renaissance taking place in the Reform movement, Temple Shalom has responded to members' desires for more - and more meaningful - celebrations throughout the year. Our growing calendar now includes a Second Day Rosh Hashanah service, congregational sukkah building, a Tu B'Shevat seder, a Second Night Congregational Seder and even a Clergy Matzah Brei Cook-Off in conjunction with the morning service the first day of Passover. Festival Morning Services now take place at their traditional times, often as joint services with other area Reform congregations.