Join Us for Shabbat
Celebrating Shabbat together is one of our community's most precious rituals, and the diversity of our community—our blessedly wide range of ages, family structures, and prayer preferences—calls us to explore and experiment with different types of services and service times. In doing so, we affirm our commitment to a broad-based practice where everyone can find their place in our Shabbat community.
At Congregation BJBE, music is at the heart of our spiritual and communal life. It uplifts, connects, and inspires us. Most importantly, it helps build community. It's how we pray, how we celebrate, how we teach, and how we come together. Through diverse musical styles and collaborative worship, music at BJBE expresses our congregation's commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and Jewish identity. Music is not a performance—it is a shared experience that invites every voice, every age, and every heart to join in. Whether you're a lifelong musician or simply love to sing along, there's a place for you in our vibrant musical community.
If you can't join us in person, you can watch Shabbat services live. You can easily find both our Friday night service and our Saturday morning Kol Shabbat service at one link! Just click the button below.
Stream Shabbat Services Online
Friday Night Shabbat Services
Traditional Service: 6 or 7 PM
Our traditional service blends classic melodies with fresh, modern arrangements—beautifully performed by professional musicians. While we gather at 6 PM most Fridays, we typically hold one 7 PM service each month.
Upcoming 7 PM services:
February 13; March 27; April 17; May 29.
P'nei Shabbat
This 6 PM "Shabbat in the Round" service format allows us to gather in a circle to foster a warm, communal atmosphere in which we can connect deeply with each other and our own spirituality through prayer, music, and shared reflection.
Upcoming P'nei Shabbatot:
March 6; April 10; May 8
Matzah Ball Shabbat
Geared toward our young learners, we come together at 5:15 PM to enjoy matzah ball soup as a community before a 6 PM, multi-generational Shabbat service featuring Kol Simchah (our youth choir) and a story shared by our clergy.
Upcoming Matzah Ball Shabbatot:
March 13; May 1
Saturday Shabbat Services
Kol Shabbat
We hold this 9:30 AM Saturday morning service in the intimate space of our Chapel and feature Torah readings and professional musicians, interactive prayer and uplifting music.
B'nai Mitzvah Services - Morning & Afternoon
Celebrate with BJBE teens and their families as they take on the obligation of becoming B'nai Mitzvah. The students co-lead the entire service (alongside our clergy), chant Torah and Haftarah, and deliver inspiring Divrei Torah.
Family Havdalah - Afternoon
Geared toward our youngest learners and those young at heart, experience Havdalah through a short, multi-sensory service with songs, stories, and special crafts. Bid farewell to Shabbat and usher in the new week with sweetness and light.
Yahrzeit Requests
In the weeks leading up to your loved one's Yahrzeit, you will receive an email with their name and the date of the coordinating Shabbat service at which they will be honored. You may request that their name be read aloud during that service (or during a service on a different date if you are unable to attend the coordinating service) in one of two ways:
- Email our Clergy Assistant Hannah Ciechomski with the name of your loved one and the date of the service you'd like their name read.
- Call the office during business hours at 847-940-7575.
It is a tradition in Judaism to honor the memory of a loved one thorugh tzedakah, a charitable contribution toward a meaningful cause. To make a contribution to BJBE, please click here.