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.
Shabbat is observed every week from Friday evening to Saturday evening. During Har Zion’s weekly Shabbat services, held both on Friday evening and Saturday morning. we 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.
Shabbat parashat, candle lighting and havdalah times for the year 2026: The weekly Shabbat parashat, and also candle lighting and havdalah times for River Forest can be found on this HebCal calendar. You might want to substitute your zip code for the 60305 in the link; the candle lighting and havdalah can change, even over short distances).
Musical Shabbat Services with the Har Zion Musical Davening Team
Periodically, Har Zion offers Musical Shabbat services sometimes on Friday evening and sometimes on Saturday morning. Prayer is enhanced in these services by the Har Zion Musical Davening Team; they are filled with song, dance, contemplation, and celebration. Musical Shabbat services are open to the entire community and are a wonderful way to celebrate Jewish tradition while connecting with one another.
Friday Night Services
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. 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.
Friday Evening Kabbalat Shabbat — 6 p.m. CT, with a few exceptions
- For the year Hebrew year 5787, 2026-2027: 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.
Streaming Friday Evening Services
- Friday evening services are livestreamed on Har Zion’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
- They are also streamed on Zoom, with the Meeting ID: 818 0357 8025; the Zoom password is available upon request by contacting our office at office@wsthz.org.
- The Friday evening Siddur can be found here.
Friday is a Delight Community Shabbat Meals
Once a month (except during summer), we follow the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service with a special community Oneg Shabbat dinner. These meals ae suitable for adults, and, because they always also include child-friendly food, for your children. We warmly invite you and your family to join in this festive community meal.
Details, including registration links, on upcoming Friday evening Shabbat meals are in the Activity Calendar.
Saturday Mornings Services
Saturday Morning — Service Begins at 10 a.m. CT
Saturday morning Shabbat services are followed by kiddish—sanctifing Shabbat by saying blessings over wine/grape juice and bread—followed by a light lunch. Kiddush usually begins shortly after noon. We occasionally have in person only “Lunch and Learn” programs during kiddush. Search for Lunch and Learn returns a listing of future and past topics.
- For the year Hebrew year 5787, 2026-2027: 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.
Streaming Saturday Morning Shabbat Services
- Saturday morning services are live streamed on Har Zion’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
- They are also streamed on Zoom, with the Meeting ID: 242 651 284. The Zoom password is available upon request by contacting our office at office@wsthz.org.
- The Saturday morning Siddur can be found here.
Torah Service and Sermon
At 11am, Rabbi Glick introduces the Torah and Haftarah readings and presents an inspiring sermon 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.
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.