Avodah

5780 Archived Services & Sermons

Adult B'nai Mitzvah Service - 11/23/19
Service

Yom Kippur  L'Dor Vador - 9/30/19
Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Green

Yom Kippur Traditional - 9/30/19
Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar, Anthem by Cantor Frost

Kol Nidre - 10/8/19
Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar, Anthem by Cantor Frost

Rosh Hashanah L'Dor Vador - 9/30/19
Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar, Anthem by Cantor Green

Rosh Hashanah Traditional - 9/30/19
Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Frost

Erev Rosh Hashanah - 9/29/19
Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Green

High Holy Days 2020

We will be sharing our High Holy Day services this year on Vimeo, which has been recommended for congregations nationwide. You will receive a reminder link in your email approximately one hour before services. Click on the link and you will be able to view our services.

All of our services can be found on vimeo at vimeo.com/bjbe

Direct links:

Please note: Links will be active at the scheduled time of the service (and then will remain active); if you click on this link beforehand you will receive an error message. 
​​​​


High Holy Days Schedule:

Click the links below for a printable version of our High Holy Days schedule:

Color  |  Black & White


Digital Prayer Books:


Other resources:

  • Click here to download our Digital High Holy Days FAQ
  • Click here to download the list of needed items for The ARK
  • Music Study 

For questions about our 2020 | 5781 High Holy Days, please contact Anne Robbin at arobbin@bjbe.org or 847.940.7575.

 

  

 

 

Archived Services & Sermons

5782 Archived Services & Sermons

Contemplation & Reflection, Yizkor (Memorial) and Neilah (Concluding) Service | 4pm
Ken Y'hi Ratzon - Neilah Service
Boxcast link
​​​​​​​Youtube link

Yom Kippur Celebration for Families
Boxcast link
Youtube link

Yom Kippur Day Services
Thursday, September 16th
Sermon by Rabbi Jason Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Jennifer Frost and Cantor Alexandra Kurland

Traditional Service | 12:30pm
Boxcast link
Youtube link

L’dor Vador Service | 9:30am
Boxcast link
Youtube link

Kol Nidre | 8:30pm
Wednesday, September 15th
Sermon by Rabbi Karyn Kedar, Anthem by Cantor Jennifer Frost
Boxcast link
Youtube link

Rosh Hashanah Celebration for Families | 4:30pm
Video link

Rosh Hashanah Day Services
Tuesday, September 7th
Sermon by Rabbi Karyn Kedar, Anthem by Cantor Jennifer Frost

Traditional Service | 12:30pm
Boxcast link
Youtube link

L’dor Vador Service | 9:30am
Boxcast link
Youtube link

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service | 7:30 PM
Monday, September 6th
Sermon by Rabbi Jason Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Jennifer Frost and Cantor Alexandra Kurland
Boxcast link
Youtube link
 

5781 Archived Services

September 28, 2020 - Contemplation & Reflection, Yizkor (Memorial), & Neilah (Concluding)

September 28, 2020 - Yom Kippur

September 27, 2020 - Kol Nidre

September 19, 2020 - Rosh Hashanah

September 18, 2020 - Erev Rosh Hashanah

September 12, 2020 S'lichot

 

5780 Archived Services & Sermons

Adult B'nai Mitzvah Service - 11/23/19 Service

Yom Kippur L'Dor Vador - October 9, 2019 Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Green

Yom Kippur Traditional - October 9, 2019 Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar, Anthem by Cantor Frost

Kol Nidre - October 8, 2019 Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar, Anthem by Cantor Frost

Rosh Hashanah L'Dor Vador - October 1, 2019 Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar, Anthem by Cantor Green

Rosh Hashanah Traditional - October 1, 2019 9 Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Frost

Erev Rosh Hashanah - September 30, 2019 Service  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Green


5779 Archived Services & Sermons

125th Anniversary Shabbat - May 11, 2019

Shabbat Service - March 9, 2019

Shabbat Service - February 16, 2019

Shabbat Service - February 9, 2019

Shabbat Service - February 2, 2019

Shabbat Service - February 1, 2019  |   Sermon by Rabbi Karyn Kedar, Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green & Our T'filah Band

Shabbat Service - February 1, 2019, 2019

Shabbat Service - January 26, 2019

Shabbat Service - January 19, 2019

Shabbat Service - January 12, 2019

Shabbat Service - January 5, 2019

Shabbat Service - November 9, 2018

Shabbat Service - November 16, 2018

Shabbat Service - November 16   |  Sermon by Solly Kane, Anthem by Kol Simchah

Shabbat Service - November 9   |   Sermon & Anthem by Rabbi Josh Weinberg

Shabbat Service - November 2, 2018

Shabbat Service - October 26, 2018 Part I   -   Part II

Shabbat Service - October 19, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Kol Simchah

Shabbat Service - October 12, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Frost

Shabbat Service - October 5, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

Shabbat Service - September 28, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

Shabbat Service - September 21, 2018

Yom Kippur Traditional Service - September 19, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Frost

Yom Kippur L'Dor Vador Service - September 19, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantor Green

Kol Nidre/Erev Yom Kippur Service - September 18, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

Rosh Hashanah Traditional Service - September 10, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantor Frost

Rosh Hashanah L'Dor Vador Service - September 10, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Green

Erev Rosh Hashanah 5779 Service - September 9, 2018  |  Sermon by Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

 

5778 Archived Sermons

Rabbi Fenster - February 16, 2018

Rabbi Kedar with anthem by Cantor Green - February 9, 2018

Rabbi Fenster with anthem by Cantors Frost & Green - February 2, 2018

Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Green & Tracy Friend - January 26, 2018

Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Junior Choir - January 19, 2018

Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green - January 12, 2018

Libby Fisher with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green and Tracy Friend - January 5, 2018

Honoring Our Teachers - December 15, 2017

Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantor Green - December 8, 2017

Service Honoring Arlene Mayzel - December 1, 2017

Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Green - November 24, 2017

Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Frost - November 17, 2017

Installation Ceremony of Rabbi Jason Fenster - November 3, 2017

Rabbi Kedar, with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green - October 27, 2017

Installation Ceremony of Missy Bell, RJE - October 20, 2017

Rabbi Fenster - October 13, 2017

Rabbi Kedar, with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green - October 6, 2017

Torah Study

Esa Enai – I Lift My Eyes

Esa Enai – I Lift My Eyes

I am searching for words
For the words that describe,
Make sense, or at least comfort.
Words that summon me from the depths
Of my solitude.

In the night, there is darkness.
Restless attempts to sleep,
Twisting, turning into the shadows.
As I seek a comfortable pose
I bring my knees to my chest
Folding my dreams in half;
Will the crease ever come out?

And in the day there are
Silent attempts to find hope.
Twisting, turning toward the light
As I look for direction, a path, a way.

It is not easy to find the way.

And so
I lift my eyes to the mountains
Heaven lays her head upon the mountaintop
And I begin to climb.

What is the source of my help?
I climb and gaze upon the vistas.
More mountains, more horizons
Never ending moments where Heaven meets earth,
Never-ending possibilities to meet the Divine.

Lift me, carry me, offer me courage.
Help me understand life’s sharpest paradox:
That to live is tragic and wonderful,
Painful and awesome, dark and filled with light.

I lift my eyes to the summit
And as I climb I find my help
In the turning and twisting it takes to
Ascend.
I have found a path and it is worn and charted
By all those who are summoned from solitude.
I take their lead.
And I know that in the most essential way
I am being carried up the mountain.
And even now,
Dear God, even now
I am not alone.


Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar
The Bridge to Forgiveness
stories and prayers for finding God and restoring wholeness

Archived Sermons

5779  |  2018-2019 Sermons

February 1 - Shabbat - Sermon by Rabbi Karyn Kedar, Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green & Our T'filah Band

November 16 - Shabbat - Sermon by Solly Kane, Anthem by Kol Simchah

November 9 - Shabbat - Sermon & Anthem by Rabbi Josh Weinberg

October 19 - Shabbat - Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Kol Simchah

October 12 - Shabbat - Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantor Frost

October 5 - Shabbat - Sermon by Rabbi Fenster, Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

September 28 - Shabbat - Sermon by Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

September 19 - Yom Kippur Traditional Service - Sermon by Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Frost

September 19 - Yom Kippur L'Dor Vador Service - Sermon by Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantor Green

September 18 - Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre Sermon by Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

September 10 - Rosh Hashanah Traditional Service - Sermon by Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantor Frost

September 10 - Rosh Hashanah L'Dor Vador Service - Sermon by Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Green

September 9 - Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon by Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

 

5778  |  2017-2018 - Sermons

February 16 - Rabbi Fenster

February 9 - Rabbi Kedar with anthem by Cantor Green

February 2 - Rabbi Fenster with anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

January 26 - Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Green & Tracy Friend

January 19 - Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Junior Choir

January 12 - Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

January 5 - Libby Fisher with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green and Tracy Friend

December 15, 2017 - Honoring Our Teachers

December 8, 2017 - Rabbi Fenster with Anthem by Cantor Green

December 1, 2017 - Service Honoring Arlene Mayzel

November 24, 2017 - Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Green

November 17, 2017 - Rabbi Kedar with Anthem by Cantor Frost

November 3, 2017 - Installation Ceremony of Rabbi Jason Fenster

October 27, 2017 - Rabbi Kedar, with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

October 20, 2017 - Installation Ceremony of Missy Bell, RJE

October 13, 2017 - Rabbi Fenster

October 6, 2017 - Rabbi Kedar, with Anthem by Cantors Frost & Green

BJBE Choirs

Our choir members have a passion for music and an enthusiasm for singing the melodies of our people. BJBE also offers our members the opportunity to sing regularly during services.

Kol Simchah (Voice of Joy), our Junior Choir, is comprised of 2nd-6th graders who participate in our Family Shabbat service. Rehearsals include attention to music, text, expression, and fun!

BJBE Adult Choir is an important addition to our High Holiday experience at BJBE. Members who participate in this choir have a unique opportunity to enrich the heart and soul of our congregation.

Our Teen Choir and Band help to lead our congregation in prayer at our monthly Matzah Ball Shabbat services as well as other special occasions throughout the year.

The Hallel Singers for the Festival Holidays bring extra joy and spirit to our festival morning services by leading everyone in the traditional singing of the psalms of Hallel.

BJBE Multi-generational Choir is comprised of the Adult and Junior Choirs that come together during some services and events throughout the year to enhance the worship experience.

Contact Leslie Block if you are interested in singing with us.

Worship

Shabbat Services at BJBE are a hybrid model. Zoom links will be emailed to our congregants on Monday in This Week as well as on Friday's in Shabbat Service Information email. Shabbat Services on Friday evenings will begin at 6:00pm, and Kol Shabbat on Saturday mornings will begin at 9:30am. 
 

FRIDAY NIGHT

Simply Shabbat
Nourish your soul with the community as we welcome in Shabbat in the traditional BJBE style. End the week with meaning and purpose.

Matzah Ball Shabbat Family Service
Third Friday of the Month (September – June, except April)
5:15-6:00 p.m. – Matzah Ball Soup and Challah
6:00-7:00 p.m. – Service

Join the BJBE community for a bowl of matzah ball soup and challah, followed by an uplifting multi-generational service featuring Kol Simchah Junior Choir and a story shared by our clergy. 

SATURDAY MORNING

Kol Shabbat Service 
9:30 a.m.
Celebrate Shabbat in a relaxed and informal environment with beautiful music and spirited singing, Torah reading, and an inspiring D’var Torah.

Morning B’nai Mitzvah Service
11:00 a.m.
Celebrate with BJBE teens and their families as they take on the obligation of becoming bar or bat mitzvah. The bar/bat mitzvah students lead the entire service along with the clergy, chant Torah, and deliver inspiring Divrei Torah (sermons).

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Family Havdalah
Various Saturday Afternoons, 4:30-6:00 p.m. 
Experience Havdalah through a short, multi-sensory service, with songs, story, and special craft activities. Say good-bye to Shabbat and usher in the new week with sweetness and light in this program designed for the young and the young at heart. 

Havdalah B’nai Mitzvah Service
5:00 p.m.
Celebrate with BJBE teens and their families, as they take on the obligation of becoming bar or bat mitzvah. The bar/bat mitzvah students lead the entire service along with the clergy, chant Torah, deliver inspiring D’vrei Torah (sermons), and lead us in the Havdalah ceremony marking the transition from Shabbat to the new week.

WEEKDAY MINYAN

Wednesday Morning Minyan
Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m.
BJBE offers a mid-week opportunity for prayer on Wednesday mornings. Start your day by giving your spirit a workout, find friendship in community, and be present for fellow congregants who need to say Kaddish for a loved one.

 

 

 

Avodah / Spirituality

We affirm the goodness in life when we offer a daily prayer of gratitude. When life is difficult, and still we find the spiritual fortitude to offer a prayer of gratitude, then we declare possibility, optimism, hope.

-Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar

From being warmly greeted by an usher as you enter Shabbat services, to the support of a community there for you after you have lost a loved one, BJBE is dedicated to enhancing the spiritual life of our congregation through a variety of prayer, programs, and services for all ages, knowledge-levels, and interests.