Worship at Beth Am: A Vision for the Future

We strive to create warm, welcoming, participatory worship services that help us to connect with Judaism, deepen our learning, and experience the spiritual renewal, peace, joy and sense of celebration that Shabbat can bring. We commit ourselves to maintaining the integrity of congregational worship rather than following practices that can lead to the "privatization" of worship services. By enhancing the worship life of our congregation, we hope to enrich the personal spiritual lives of our members.
 

Warm and Welcoming

• It feels like a congregation - many Beth Am members regularly attend, and there is a sense that people know and care about each other and Beth Am
• Services are a place to see your friends and to make new friends
• Members and visitors are warmly greeted before services and during the Oneg Shabbat
• People stay after services and socialize; the Oneg Shabbat brings people together
• People of all ages and family configurations are made to feel welcome
• Congregants of all ages value the presence of children and young people
• Life cycle events (B'nei Mitzvah, ufrufn and baby namings) take place within the context of a supportive congregational community

Participatory

• The congregation is davenning with kavanah - people are actively engaged in heartfelt prayer and song
• Lay people can lead services or parts of a service, read Torah and Haftara, give d'rashot and lead minyanim
• Festival and High Holy Day services are as participatory and engaging as Shabbat services

Peaceful, Joyous and Celebratory

• Music and harmony fill the room - it vibrates with the beautiful sound of voices lifted up in song!
• In addition to joy and celebration, our worship offers tranquil moments of silence, peace and serenity
• Our worship powerfully touches the heart and soul, and is a source of comfort, strength and support
• Many members bring their simchas to share with the congregation
• People walk out at the end of the service singing or humming

Learning and Jewish Connection

• There is intellectual stimulation at services - a chance to gain new insights into Torah, Jewish tradition or contemporary Jewish issues
• There are siddurim and taleisim for all who wish them
• Congregants are comfortable reading Hebrew
• Congregants understand and appreciate the structure of the liturgy

Spiritually Renewing

• Our worship helps us to experience and appreciate the presence of God, and gives us a heightened awareness of the blessings in our lives
• We help our members integrate Jewish spirituality and Jewish practices, including personal and family prayer, into daily life
• People come to worship at Beth Am not only on Shabbat or festivals but also at times of personal stress and joy

Integrity of Congregational Worship

• Special programs do not unduly lengthen the service
• There is engaging worship every Shabbat, rather than services dominated by special programs
• Personal and family simchas are integrated into congregational worship rather than dominating the service
• There is a daily minyan

Expansion of our Mission Statement