Philosophy

When we think of prayer, our minds immediately turn toward our relationship with God. But in a very real and personal way, the process of gathering together in worship also creates bonds by which our community is strengthened.Throughout the ages, the Jewish people have pursued various methods of reaching out to God. In the days of our patriarchs and matriarchs, we called to God by offering sacrifices. But after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70, the only alternative which remained for our people, was to offer a sacrifice by placing our own “broken hearts” on God’s altar. And the way we accomplished this was through prayer. Today, prayer is still the main vehicle through which we approach God as Jews. And at Temple Beth-El, we accomplish this by opening our hearts and minds in worship, in a variety of different ways.Shabbat is the culminating moment of each week. It is a time of rest and refreshment, a time to turn away from work and reconnect with our family and friends. Beth-El provides many different opportunities for worship so that every individual, and every family, can find a way to pray that fits their needs.Our monthly calendar contains: Shabbat Yeladim Programs for families with toddlers (and their siblings) which introduce our children to worship and create a positive relationship with our clergy and temple. Family Services that are geared towards families with grade school children. They are an hour in length, and speak to our children in language they can understand. A “traditional” service that contains a mix of Hebrew and English, reading and song. This is a rich, beautiful service which creates a sense of peace in those who come to worship.

For those desiring a less formal worship alternative, minyan services are held on many Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and during the week on Wednesday mornings. Through worship our community is also strengthened. We draw strength from one another when we share in life-cycle moments, celebrating B’nai Mitzvah, Baby-namings, Weddings and Funerals. We build our community through the special programs and speakers that bring us together. We build friendships by partaking in delightful Oneg Shabbats. And we find comfort in raising our voices together in song.Music is another very important aspect to our sense of worship. We find peace in the beautiful voice of our Cantor, who brings us closer to God when we listen to her sing. We find a sense of community when we add our voices to hers. We enjoy the harmony that is created by our Adult Choir and Beth-El Band. And we are engaged by the melody that is carried on the keyboard and the simple sounds of the guitar. In truth, music helps us reach into our own soul and lift our spirits upwards. Worship is a central part of our mission as a congregation. It is the way we speak to God. It is the way we reach out to each other. It is how we order our days. It is how we bring peace and serenity into our week. It is how we build community. It is how we maintain our heritage. It is how we carry on our tradition. It is a part of our lives. We hope it will become a part of your life with us as well.

Rabbi Sidney M. Helbraun