Prayer Services
Services at B’nai Jacob are warm, participatory, spiritual, and thought-provoking. Our Cantor, Kochava Munro, leads us in song, balancing the introduction of new melodies with time-honored classics. Our Rabbi delivers a weekly sermon and interjects commentary during the Torah reading. Our goal is to provide everyone with a meaningful context for prayer, a connection to Torah, and to the words of our tradition.
Services
Daily Morning and Evening Minyan
B’nai Jacob is proud of its longstanding daily minyan. Weekday mornings are held in the chapel at 7:45 am (Sundays at 9 am), and weekday evenings are conducted via Zoom. Each minyan includes Kaddish for those in mourning and those observing yahrzeit. We read Torah on Monday and Thursday mornings, as well as on Rosh Chodesh (the new month). At each service, we read a list of names of loved ones for whom yahrzeit is being observed.
Our minyans warmly welcome those who are saying Kaddish or simply wish to find solace in a supportive prayer community. Congregants gather daily to pray together and ensure that mourners can say Kaddish.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday nights begin with a schmooze over wine and cheese at 6 pm. The service is short (1 hour) and musical, and the rabbi shares her thoughts on the week that has passed to help us transition into Shabbat.
Shabbat Morning Service
Saturday morning begins with Bread and Torah, our Torah study class in the library, at 9:00 am, over bagels and coffee. We enjoy a lively discussion, and all levels are welcome.
A traditional service is held most Shabbat mornings from 10 am until noon in our beautiful chapel. Occasionally, we hold a special musical service called Shir Hadash. We are an egalitarian congregation and invite broad participation. The centerpiece of the service is the reading of the Torah. Congregants read Torah and Haftarah, and, when there is no Bar or Bat Mitzvah, children are encouraged to participate by chanting Ashrei or other prayers. All children under the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah are invited to the bima for Adon Olam at the end of the service. If you or your children would like to participate, please contact Rabbi Shapiro. Every week, we enjoy a full kiddush lunch immediately following the service.
Note: Most services are live-streamed. Daily Morning Minyan is not.
Pray with us
Daily MinYan
Morning:
Mon-Fri: 7:45 am (Chapel & Zoom)
Sunday: 9:00 am (Chapel & Zoom)
Evening:
Sun-Thu: 6:00 pm (Zoom only)
Shabbat Services
Friday Evening (Kabbalat Shabbat):
6:30 pm (Chapel & Zoom)
Shabbat Morning:
10:00 am (Chapel & Zoom)
Use this Zoom link for services:
https://zoom.us/j/3445594800
Special Services
Please note special Shabbat events will replace Bread & Torah before the main service.
Shir Hadash
This is a songful, prayerful, soulful service led by Cantor Kochava Munro, and Rabbi Shapiro. We use the power of our music and kavanah of our words and hearts to make God’s presence manifest. Service Begins at 9:00 am, approximately once per month, and is followed by a mini kiddush, and a traditional Torah service. Upcoming dates will be listed on our digital calendar and in weekly emails.
Shabbat Walks
Join Rabbi Shapiro for a thoughtful, prayerful, meditative walk on the the Alice Newton Street Memorial Park Blue Trail. Meet behind the church in Woodbridge Town Center. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shabbat Walks begin at 8:30 am, once per month, weather permitting. Upcoming dates will be listed on our digital calendar and in weekly emails.
Digital Siddurim
Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv:
SIDDUR LEV SHALEM 2-2
Shabbat Morning:
SIDDUR LEV SHALEM
Weekday Afternoon:
SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
Weekday Shacharit:
SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
Weekday Evening Service:
Siddur Sim Shalom
Shabbat and Festivals Evening:
Siddur Lev Shalem
Shabbat and Festival Morning:
Siddur Lev Shalem
Mon, April 21 2025
23 Nisan 5785
This week's Torah portion is Parshat Shmini
Shabbat, Apr 26 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Apr 25, 7:25pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Apr 26, 8:34pm |
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Friday ,
AprApril 25 , 2025
Friday, Apr 25th 6:30p to 7:30p
Emily Levy-Shochat will speak on the topic “Make Your Voice Heard.” A committed activist, she will discuss how our voices as American Jews can help protect Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state, while also strengthening the Jewish people and pluralism worldwide. The Chairperson of Masorti Israel for 5 years, Emily has worked to strengthen civil society, maintain Israel’s democracy, and protect human rights. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 27 , 2025
Sunday, Apr 27th 10:00a to 11:00a
Many of us who have been educated in the Jewish community have learned a list of things that Christians believe but we couldn't or shouldn't believe. But early Christianity grew out of Judaism, and the overlap of the two faiths is considerable—including beliefs and practices that allegedly distinguish the two religions but really do not. Please join us as Professor Kraemer challenges some of the false differences, only to uncover the real, nuanced differences that distinguish each religion from the other. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 27 , 2025
Sunday, Apr 27th 3:00p to 7:00p