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Overview of Services
For member access to religious services and classes, please click here.
Overview of Services
- Daily morning and evening minyan
- Friday evening services
- Saturday morning services
- Shabbat Mincha/Afternoon Service
- Shabbat activities for preschool children
- Services and activities for school-aged children
- Shabbat Live!
- Shabbat Under the Stars
- Congregational Study
- Special Adults Services
- Festival Services
- High Holiday Services
Service and Activity Offerings
Daily Morning and Evening Minyan
Morning and evening minyan is held in the Levine-Shein Chapel each weekday and also held via Zoom. The morning minyan is held at 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. The evening minyan is held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Each minyan includes Kaddish for those in mourning and those observing yahrzeit and incorporates some English readings. We read Torah on Monday and Thursday mornings, as well as on Rosh Chodesh (the new month). At each service we read a list of names of those loved ones for whom yahrzeit is being observed. Our minyans are very welcoming to those who are saying Kaddish or simply want to sit in the comfort of a prayer community.
What is appropriate dress for Shabbat?
Shabbat Mincha/Afternoon Service
We gather for Shabbat Mincha, the brief afternoon service, every Saturday at 12:15 pm. We read from the Torah, often honoring an upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah student or those with yahrzeit.
Services and Activities for Preschool Children
Parents and their youngest children are welcome to attend our main services on both Friday night and Shabbat morning. In addition, preschoolers and their parents can join us for Shababa on special Friday nights and Mazel Tots every Shabbat morning.
Shababa: Kids age five and under experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing and singing with Rabbi Zerin, followed by a free child-friendly dinner. In summer months, we run in the sprinkler after dinner.
Mazel Tots, 11:00 a.m.: Mazel Tots is the spot for kiddos on Shabbat mornings! Parent volunteers lead songs, prayers and stories. This program is geared for children from birth through kindergarten with their parents, but all are welcome. Please bring a small, kosher, nut-free snack for your child.
Services and Activities for School-Aged Children
Our weekly Shabbat Club makes it cool for kids @shul, starting at 11am each week. SC is for kids in grades 1-5. Songs, prayers, stories, games, snacks and more make Shabbat Club the place to be!
For more information about our children’s programs, please contact Rabbi Rachel Zerin at 860-233-9696.
Special Shabbat Services and Activities
Beth El offers different services and activities during the year:
Shabbat Under the Stars: an outdoor service preceded by a bar-b-que. Welcome Shabbat and schmooze with friends at this fun and festive evening, under the stars.
Special Adults’ Service: Once each month Beth El and our JCL (Jewish Association for Community Living) friends join together to explore the morning service through prayer and Torah, story, signs and songs. We follow with a kiddush luncheon.
Shabbat Yoga: Wear yoga clothes (yes, to synagogue!) and bring a mat if you have one. This all-levels class incorporates yoga poses and Hebrew prayers. Open to all (children too, if they can participate in a quiet yoga class). Check Temple Topics or the Shabbat Leaflet for dates.
Women’s Circle: Women join together in prayer, song, study and movement. Check Temple Topics or the Shabbat Leaflet for dates.
Festival Services
Our Festival offerings range from the traditional services on Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot, to Sukkah Dinner/Services, Simchat Torah Live! with a band and Hakafot, and even a Tikkun Ley'l Shavuot each year with guest speakers and teachers. In traditional manner, we read from Kohelet at Sukkot, Shir HaShirim at Pesach, and the Book of Ruth at Shavuot.
Purim keeps us smiling and dancing. Our annual carnival is always a big hit with our families. Two Megillah readings are held on Purim eve. Our Mishpacha program, for families with children (and anyone who wants to have a good time!), combines reading and shtick. Later in the evening, we offer a full Megillah reading for adults.
In a more reflective mood, Beth El participates in community-wide services for Tisha B'Av that generally take place at night with the reading of Eicha and during the day with a community Mincha service. We also participate in the community-wide Selichot service.
Evening minyan for festivals often begins at 6 p.m. Temple Topics will have specific minyan times for each festival.
What guidelines should you observe during the service?
Beth El Temple is Fragrance Free
We are happy you will be attending our special event at Beth el Temple. Inclusiveness is one of our core values at Beth El. We do everything we can to make our synagogue open and welcoming to all. In response to an increasing number of people who have mild to severe sensitivity to fragrances, we ask you to avoid wearing products with fragrances.
Sat, July 27 2024
21 Tammuz 5784
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 27 , 2024Shabbat Playgroup in the Park
Shabbat, Jul 27th 3:00p to 5:00p
Calling all 0-5 year olds and their grown-ups: come find your people at the park! Join Rabbi Zerin, Dr. Eliyahu, and your friends at Beth El for a relaxed Shabbat afternoon at Eisenhower Park. We will provide cold drinks and summer treats! Note: will be canceled in case of rain. RSVPs requested but not required. Click in to RSVP! -
Sunday ,
JulJuly 28 , 2024Men's Club Outing to see the Hartford Yard Goats play the Harrisburg Senators
Sunday, Jul 28th 12:00p to 4:00p
Back by popular demand! Come join the Men’s Club at Dunkin’ Donuts Park to see the Hartford Yard Goats play the Harrisburg Senators (the Washington Nationals AA minor league affiliate)! Our seats, in the Hartford Terrace section along the first-base side, are in a shaded, private section. Your ticket will allow you free exclusive access to the Yard Goats Club, an air conditioned indoor section with great views of the game, comfortable seating, and higher-end food and liquor options not available at the general concession stands. And yes, fries, hot dogs, and beer are also available there. You can go to this private section when you want to take a break from your field seats, get refreshments, and schmooze with others. Our group will be recognized at the game. There will be a shout out for the Beth El Men's Club! One of us will get to throw out a first pitch! There may be other surprises! Kids run the bases after the game! Tickets are limited, so you are urged to put in your RSVP as soon as possible. You may request to be seated with others who are placing their RSVP separately. -
Wednesday ,
JulJuly 31 , 2024
Wednesday, Jul 31st 7:30p to 10:30p
Meet up with us at Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival for Hamlet! Click in for details. -
Sunday ,
AugAugust 4 , 2024Red Cross Blood Drive
Sunday, Aug 4th 8:30a to 1:30p
You can make a lasting impact with an amazing mitzvot by helping the American Red Cross! Please help us make a difference by donating blood at Beth El Temple. Please call 1.800.733.2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter: WeHa to schedule your appointment. Volunteers are also needed for registration and snacks, please call the office to sign up to volunteer. You can also save up to 15 minutes on the day of your appointment, by simply visiting www.redcrossblood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions. Everyday heroes like you can help save up to three lives with just one blood donation. Thank you for giving the gift of life. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 16 , 2024Shabbat Potluck
Friday, Aug 16th 5:30p to 7:30p
All are invited to join Beth El friends for a Shabbat Potluck Picnic! We'll meet at a fellow member's home to celebrate Shabbat with food, singing, and community. Bring a dairy/vegetarian dish to share (details in the registration). RSVPs are required. Click in to register!