Shabbat at Our Synagogue

Shabbat at Society Hill Synagogue is the highlight of our week. It is the point at which three communal expressions — Torah and learning, prayer and music, community and togetherness — align.

Drop-ins are welcome to all Shabbat services — you can click here to RSVP, or just show up!
At Society Hill Synagogue, we hold three different Shabbat services:

Saturday Morning Shabbat Services

Every Saturday morning, year-round, Shabbat services begin at 9:30 am. We begin with P’sukei D’zimrah (traditional verses of song and praise), and Shaharit (the traditional morning service), from 9:30-10:15 am. From 10:15-11:00 am, the Rabbi facilitates a discussion with the whole community about the week’s Torah portion, connecting it to our lives today. A traditional Torah service then proceeds from approximately 11:00-11:40 am, followed by Musaf  (closing prayers), and Kiddush and Motzi, blessings over wine and bread. 
The service concludes at noon, and everyone is always welcome to stay for a weekly dairy vegetarian communal Kiddush lunch, made possible thanks to the generosity of congregants who sponsor these meals.
During the school year (September through May), Hebrew School is in session, and our Hebrew School students participate in our Torah discussion and join us on the Bimah (Sanctuary stage) for Kiddush and Motzi. Families are welcome to attend the lunch, even if they do not attend the service.
🕘 Please note an important schedule update: starting on Saturday, January 24, all Shabbat Morning Services will begin at 9:30 am, instead of 9:45 am.

Friday Evening Shabbat Services

Every Friday from the first Shabbat after Labor Day weekend to the last Shabbat before Memorial Day weekend (September through May), we begin Shabbat with a rousing “TGIShabbat” service on Friday evenings. Led by our clergy, the service is backed by talented instrumentalists filling our Sanctuary with gorgeous music.
From 5:30-6:00 pm, guests are welcome in our lobby for our “Shabbat Schmooze” with wine and cheese. The service runs from 6:00-7:15 pm and includes a dynamic Kabbalat Shabbat service, a traditional Ma’ariv service, and a weekly D’var Torah — reflection on how Judaism informs our lives today. It is a soul-lifting service.
A communal dairy vegetarian Oneg dinner always follows the service, made possible thanks to the generosity of congregants who sponsor these meals.

Young Families Shabbat Services

Once per month on Fridays at 5:45 pm and once per month on Saturdays at 11:15 am, from September through June, we hold a wildly popular Young Families Shabbat service geared toward families with children from newborns to 6-year-olds.
Led by Society Hill Synagogue parents Joanna and Micah Hart, our Young Families Group is a warm and welcoming “community within the community.” 
Our Young Families Shabbat celebrations blend guitar grooves, singing, instruments for all ages, blessings, dancing, and the company of new friends and familiar faces. A delicious dairy vegetarian dinner or lunch is always included. 
These Young Family gatherings take place in the synagogue’s courtyard or social hall (depending on weather), and you can RSVP for any or all of them via this quick and easy online form.