Worship

Services, Sermons, Classes, and more

Take a look at our various services, classes, and sermons below.

In This Section:

Schedule of Services

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 Lev Shalem – the newest prayer book of the Conservative Movement – for 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 to better understand the liturgy.

PURCHASE YOUR OWN PRAYER BOOKS
My rabbinic organization has generously offered our prayer books at a steep discount. The discount will appear once you add the book to your cart. Click on the links to order:
Shabbat – Siddur Lev Shalem
Weekdays – Sim Shalom
High Holidays – Machzor Lev Shalem

Chumash (Torah) – Etz Hayim

*Please be sure to check congregation publications and calendar for occasional time changes.*

Shabbat

Friday Evening – ZOOM or WATCH

ZOOM

WATCH

6-6:45 pm

Saturday Morning – IN PERSON, ZOOM or WATCH

In person,

ZOOM, or

WATCH

9:30-Noon*

Post pandemic, Shabbat and Weekday services are currently being conducted by ZOOM, Livestream, and/or in person.

*Sign Language interpretation is provided upon request*

Weekdays

Monday & Thursday Mornings – IN PERSON or ZOOM

SNOW POLICY: IF MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOLS (MCPS) ARE ON A 2 HOUR DELAY – MINYAN WILL STILL BE IN PERSON; IF MCPS IS CLOSED THEN MINYAN WILL BE ON ZOOM ONLY

ZOOM

8:45am

Sunday Mornings – IN PERSON or ZOOM

SNOW POLICY: IF RELIGIOUS SCHOOL IS CLOSED THEN MINYAN WILL BE ON ZOOM ONLY

ZOOM

8:45am

Monday & Wednesday Evenings – ZOOM ONLY

ZOOM

7:30 pm

High Holiday Information

HIGH HOLIDAYS 2024
All services will be held in our Sanctuary with live-streaming & on ZOOM.

Yizkor Book 5784/2023

Rosh Hashanah

Erev Rosh Hashanah & First Day – Wednesday, October 2, 6:00 pm – In person, on ZOOM or watch
Thursday, October 3, 9:00 am-1:00 pm – In Person, on ZOOM or watch.
** Junior Congregation, Baumgart-Grosberg Chapel, grades K thru 7, 10 am – 11 am Followed by Youth Programming, 11 am – 12:30 pm

Second Night & Second Day – Thursday, October 3, 6:00 pm – In Person, on ZOOM or watch.
Friday, October 4, 9:00 am-1:00 pm – In Person, on ZOOM or watch
** Family Service for Children, Baumgart-Grosberg Chapel, grades K thru 7, 10 am – 11 am Followed by Youth Programming, 11 am – 12:30 pm
Concluding Service – Friday, October 4, 6:00 pm – In Person, on ZOOM or watch.

Tashlich Community Service & Program – Sunday, October 6, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, location TBD

Yom Kippur

Kol Nidrei – Friday, October 11, 6:00 pm – In Person, on ZOOM or watch
Yom Kippur – Saturday, October 12, 9:00 am – In Person, on ZOOM or watch
Morning Service – 9:00 am
** Family Service for Children, Baumgart-Grosberg Chapel, grades K thru 7, 10 am – 11 am Followed by Youth Programming, 11 am – 12:30 pm
Study session, 4-4:45 pm – in person, ZOOM or watch
Mincha, Ne’ilah, Evening Service, Shofar, 5:00-7:45 pm – in person, ZOOM or watch

Sukkot

Erev Sukkot – Wednesday, October 16, 6:00 pm – In Person, ZOOM or watch
First Day – Thursday, October 17, 9:00 am – In Person, on ZOOM or watch.
Second Day – Thursday, October 17, 6:45 pm
Friday, October 18, 9:30 am – In Person, on ZOOM or watch
Concluding Service, 6:00 pm – In person, ZOOM or watch.
Shemini Atzeret – Wednesday, October 23, 6 pm – In Person, ZOOM or watch.
Thursday, October 24, 9:30 am, including Yizkor – in person, ZOOM or watch
Simchat Torah – Thursday, October 24, 6:00 pm – service and sing and dance with the Torah scrolls – In Person, ZOOM or watch.
Friday, October 25, 9:30 am – service, including singing and dancing and unrolling a Torah scroll.
Friday, October 25, Concluding & Shabbat Evening Service, 6:00 pm – In Person, ZOOM or watch.