Shaare Tefila Congregation is egalitarian – men and women equally participate in leading services, receiving honors at the Torah, and even reciting the priestly blessing (“duchaning”) on the holidays.
We use Siddur Sim Shalom – the newest prayer book of the Conservative Movement – for weekday and Shabbat services. Our main service is conducted in Hebrew with active congregational participation; members of the congregation participate in reading the entire weekly Torah portion; and Torah study (whether before and/or after the Shabbat morning service) is an integral part of our service.
Jewish prayer is challenging yet uplifting. In order for all to experience religious fulfillment we periodically offer creative services on Shabbat morning highlighting different forms of Jewish spirituality. We also encourage everyone to study the service and the Torah reading with the English translations and commentary that are available and we encourage attending classes taught by Rabbi Layman and Cantor Fried to better understand the liturgy.
(Please be sure to check congregation publications and outgoing office (301-593-3410) telephone message for occasional time changes.)
Shabbat - Friday Evening – 6:00 PM
Shabbat – Saturday Morning – 9:00 AM Torah Study, 9:20 AM Service – sometimes the service starts at 9am (e.g. when we celebrate a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, if it’s a holiday or we have a Taste of Shabbat Program) – please check the calendar page for the specific date and time
Monday & Thursday Mornings – 8:00 AM
Sundays & Federal Holidays – 8:45 AM
Weekday Evenings – 7:30 PM