Shabbat
Temple Emanuel of Tempe shabbat services offer something for everyone!
Temple Emanuel is a community that loves to sing, pray, and schmooze together! The feeling and format of our Friday night Shabbat services varies through the month. We invite you to attend several and find the one that suits your mood and spirituality. Regardless of the week, Shabbat at Temple Emanuel is always highly musical and participatory.
You need not know Hebrew to participate. Services at Temple Emanuel are offered in a mixture of Hebrew and English. Our prayer book, Mishkan Tfilah, offers English transliterations for all prayers.
Our services are open to the public; all are welcome. Please call the synagogue with any questions. Check our calendar for service times and special occasions.
COVID UPDATE: As of March 2020, Our Shabbat services have gone digital! Friday nights are posted on our youtube channel here and are accessible to everyone. Saturday Morning Services and Torah Study are held via zoom and the Meeting ID/Password are available to members. If you are interested in synagogue membership, please connect with us for more information.
Friday Nights
First Friday: Family Shabbat followed by Nosh and Rock Shabbat
First Friday Family Shabbat: On the first Friday night of each month at 5:30 p.m.we have our special Family Shabbat Service. This service is designed for children (infants to age 6) and their parents. Rabbi Dean and Cantorial Soloist Suzanne Guinane help us usher in Shabbat through songs, stories, and a special family-oriented Shabbat service. A nosh follows in the social hall.
Rock Shabbat: The first Friday night of the month at 6:30 p.m. we have our Rock Shabbat Service featuring our Shabba-Tones jazz/rock band. This service is approximately one hour and includes music, dancing with the Torah and a short story. Those who are celebrating a birthday during that month are called to the bimah for a blessing. A 6:00 p.m. nosh offers an opportunity to eat and unwind before the service begins.
Second Friday: Traditional Service
The second Friday night of each month at 7:00 p.m. is our Traditional Service. This service typically includes Torah reading and a short sermon or d’var Torah led by the rabbi. Following the service, an Oneg Shabbat offers an opportunity to eat and connect.
Third Friday: Nosh and Kabbalat Shabbat Service
The third Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. is our Kabbalat Shabbat Service. This is an early service filled with music, meditation, soul, and kavanah. There is no formal sermon, nor a Torah reading. A 6:00 p.m. nosh is provided to offer you an opportunity to eat and unwind before the service begins.
Fourth Friday: Traditional Service
The fourth Friday night of each month at 7:00 p.m. is our Traditional Service. This service includes Torah reading and a short sermon or d’var Torah led by the Rabbi. An Oneg Shabbat following the service offers an opportunity to eat and connect.
Fifth Friday: Traditional Service
The fifth Friday night of each month at 7:00 p.m. is our Traditional Service. This service includes Torah reading and a short sermon or d’var Torah led by the Rabbi. An Oneg Shabbat following the service offers an opportunity to eat and connect.
Saturday Mornings
Study Group: Every Saturday morning, the study group meets at 8:20 a.m. for a lively discussion about a book relating to spirituality. Read important Jewish writers, delve into issues of spiritual growth, and share thoughts on how these works relate to our lives today. Everyone is welcome.
Shabbat Morning Service: Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. is our Shabbat Morning Service including the Torah reading and discussion of the Torah portion. Often there is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah during this service. The entire congregation is invited to join us.
Guidelines for Shabbat Decorum
- Children of all ages are very welcome at Temple Emanuel! Families with young children should sit near the door so that they can duck out easily if their children begin to fuss or make noise.
- Please turn off all cellphones and other electronic equipment.
- Manner and dress should be modest and appropriate for traditional worship.
- Please keep idle conversation to a minimum so as not to distract others.
- Picture taking and recording of audio or video are prohibited in the synagogue.
- All men are to wear kippot. Women are welcome to do so. Kippot are available at the entrance to the sanctuary.
- Jewish men should wear tallesim when on the bimah or interacting with the Torah; women are invited to do so. Tallesim are available for your use.
- We ask that you not enter or exit the sanctuary while the Torah is out, or the rabbi is delivering a sermon.
- Smoking is prohibited in the synagogue and on the Temple property.