Regular prayer, תפלה/Tefillah, has always been a core value for Jews. Prayer, formal and informal, traditional and creative, can help us in many ways. It can:

• -connect us to G!d (however we conceive of G!d) and remind us of life’s truths
• -help us to feel at one with the world
• -give voice to our needs and concerns, support us through difficult times
• -serve as a mindfulness practice and bring us to greater self-awareness
• -guide us in growing our character
• -enable us to get beyond the self when we are part of a minyan and connect to our spiritual community
• -bind us to our rich history and traditions
• -remind us of our core values and our people’s ideals
• -empower us to acts of social justice, and
• -motivate us to do deeds of kindness

Two great figures of the twentieth-century, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Rabbi Morris Adler, had important perspectives on prayer:

“To pray is to take notice of the wonder, to regain a sense of the mystery that animates all beings, the divine margin in all attainments. Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972)

“Prayer takes us beyond the self. Joining our personal self to the selfhood of humanity, it gives our wishes the freedom to grow large and broad and inclusive. Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be.” – Rabbi Morris Adler (1906-1966)

Shabbat for Jews has always been a day when all the values of prayer can touch us most deeply.  Whether on Friday night or Saturday morning, Shabbat at CAH is always an uplifting, enriching experience!

We conduct Shabbat services on the first and third full weekends of the month. Click here to check Calendar page.  We use the revised Siddur Sim Shalom prayer book,  with Hebrew, transliteration and English, supported by special readings and songs.  Our services are musical and joyful, led by Rabbi J.B. Sacks, who encourage everyone to participate wholeheartedly .

Friday Night Services.  Live and live-streamed services begin at 7:30 p.m.; Zoom services begin at 7 p.m. All are filled with prayer, song, special readings, spirituality, discussion, and Torah. Following services, we join together at our Oneg Shabbat to enjoy refreshments, each other, and this moment of Shabbat calm, Shabbat peace.

Saturday Morning Services.     A deeper appreciation and examination of Jewish culture, thought, and values takes place during Saturday morning services. Services begin at 10 am with prayer, song, and poetry. We read the Torah, and in our interactive discussion, we all grow in understanding and appreciation of our people’s history and values, and we gain succor and renewal for ourselves. Following services, we continue to celebrate Shabbat at our Kiddush, with warm conversation and refreshments (often a lunch).

Holidays     We celebrate Jewish holidays and observe holy days with special readings, music, activities, and programs.  We also join other local synagogues for community services  for Sukkot, Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Day), and Shavuot celebrations that are filled with friendship and understanding.  (Click here to go to our Holidays landing page.)

Life Cycle.  As our congregants pass through the joys and challenges of daily living, we are here to support each other. Rabbi Sacks is available to help with any and all of your family’s needs, from a bris (ritual circumcision) or baby-naming, to a bar or bat mitzvah, to a wedding, a renewal of vows, a funeral or unveiling, and other occasions.

Please reach out, in your time of need. (Please click here for the Contact page)