Weekly Shabbat Services
Rejoicing in prayer
A day of rest and reflection, Shabbat is a cornerstone of Judaism and an essential part of the Jewish calendar.
Observed Friday evening to Saturday night, our weekly Shabbat services commemorate creation as a community as we celebrate the blessings that surround us. By setting aside our everyday concerns and focusing on spiritual renewal through prayer and Torah study, we are able to deepen our connection to God and build stronger bonds with our fellow congregants.
Friday Nights
Shabbat evening services are a chance to check in with God, with our family and with ourselves, providing a rhythm to the week, a respite from our day-to-day lives and an opportunity to connect with our community through song and prayer. It’s a joyous occasion — a time to remember that God ceased work on the seventh day, and that we too should take time to rest and restore our energy. We gather in our homes with friends and family, as well as in synagogues and with our community. It’s a time of peace, of connection and of gratitude.
Temple Har Zion also offers a monthly Musical Shabbat — a service filled with singing, dancing, and celebration. This family-friendly service is open to the entire community and is a wonderful way to celebrate Jewish tradition while connecting with one another.
Friday Evening Kabbalat Shabbat — 5:30 p.m. CT, with a few exceptions
- Friday evening services are available via Zoom, Meeting ID: 818 0357 8025, and also on Facebook and YouTube.
- Zoom password available upon request by contacting our office at office@wsthz.org
- The Friday evening Siddur can be found here.
- The weekly parashah, and candle lighting and havdalah times (for River Forest; you might want to change it for your zip code; the times can change, even over short distances) can be found on this HebCal calendar.
Saturday Mornings
Shabbat Morning Services begin with an Experience Especially for Families—
One Hour of Service then Lunch
(Except for weeks with Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation)
On Saturday mornings, the temple welcomes regulars and newcomers, of all ages, to a morning of praise, of study, and of hearing the words of our sacred scriptures.
Except on Saturdays with Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation, the first hour of our Shabbat morning service (10-11 A.M.) is family-friendly. We begin with an hour of prayer and song led by Cantor Figa, including a children-led Shema, new melodies, and dancing around the sanctuary in procession with the Torahs. There is play area in the sanctuary for the children with games, toys, and puzzles, allowing their parents to pray.
Then at 11 A.M., a light lunch/kiddush is served in the chapel for the families.
Torah Service and Sermon
At 11 A.M., as the main service continues in Goldstine Sanctuary, Rabbi Glick introduces the Torah and Haftarah readings and presents inspiring sermons relevant to our lives, the Torah portion, events in the world, and spiritual matters that leave us uplifted for the week ahead.
Charles Shapera, our executive director and our Torah reader for more than 20 years, reads Torah on most weeks unless there is a b’nai mitzvah or another member chooses to read. We welcome all to participate in the sacred ancient ritual of reading Torah.
- Every week different members of the synagogue take turns preparing and chanting haftaroth. Our cantor sends recordings upon request. Please email us to join our rotation or for information on learning how to chant.
- Approximately once a month, our davening team leads musical services on Shabbat mornings.
- To learn more about our Golden Kippah program encouraging our members to learn new synagogue skills and participate in services, click here.
Saturday Morning — 10 a.m. CT
- Saturday morning services are available via Zoom, Meeting ID: 242 651 284, and also on Facebook and YouTube.
- Zoom password available upon request by contacting our office at office@wsthz.org
- The Saturday morning Siddur can be found here.
- The weekly parashah, and candle lighting and havdalah times (for River Forest; you might want to change it for your zip code; the times can change, even over short distances) can be found on this HebCal calendar.
Honors, Reading, and Aliyot
While many prayers are recited in Hebrew during the Saturday morning services, there are many English readings that enable all to participate. Pulpit honors are distributed among members who wish to lead a prayer or reading during a service. Children may sit with their parents in the sanctuary or attend regularly scheduled Junior Congregation services.
Members desiring an aliyah or another honor at the Shabbat morning service (to commemorate a Yahrzeit, special birthday, or other milestone), may alert the gabbai that morning or contact the temple office in advance. Even when we have a b’nai mitzvah or other special Shabbat, we reserve honors for the congregation.
People attending by Zoom may request an honor on the third Saturday of each month; please email our gabbai, Ed Sachs, at gabbbai@wsthz.org.