Shabbat marks a weekly pause—from Friday evening through Saturday night—when we rest, reflect, and reconnect with spirit, community, and gratitude.
As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote, Shabbat is a “cathedral in time”—a sacred opportunity to step away from daily routines and embrace reflection, gratitude, and joy.
At Kol Ami, Shabbat is at the heart of our community. Our services blend meaningful prayer, uplifting music, and shared reflection. Whether in person or online, all are welcome to find connection and renewal.
Rooted in the Reconstructionist tradition, our worship balances reverence with creativity—welcoming those familiar with Jewish practice and those exploring it for the first time. For information on joining virtually, contact us.
We offer a mix of services—Friday evenings (7:30–8:30 pm) and Saturday mornings (10:00 am–noon)—led by Rabbi Gilah Langner and members of our Clergy and Leadership Team, along with guest clergy, musicians, and congregants. Services include prayer, song, learning, and participation, and are accessible both in person and online.
For information on upcoming services, visit our Calendar page.
Kol Ami encourages active participation in Shabbat worship, offering resources for those who wish to learn the prayers, melodies, and Torah/Haftarah tropes used in our services.
Melodies & Musical Guides: Recordings for Shabbat services are available for adults and B’nai Mitzvah students, helping everyone engage fully in prayer and song.
Service Guides: Step-by-step guides outline the basic elements of a Kol Ami service for Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat Morning.
Alternative Prayers for Leaders: When a Minyan is not present, service leaders may use designated alternative prayers to ensure a meaningful service experience.
Our Morning Minyan is a short, communal prayer service held four times a week, offering a meaningful way to begin the day with reflection, intention, and connection to community. Each service is led by a member of the congregation and often includes creative introductions, thoughtful insights, and melodies that bring the prayers to life.
For more details about service times, structure, and resources, visit our Morning Minyan page.
Explore our Morning Minyan Melodies page to learn the tunes used during these services.
Each year we celebrates Special-Themed Shabbat Services that highlight important values, traditions, and moments in our community. These include our Healing Service, focusing on reflection and renewal; Inclusion & Diversity Shabbat, honoring the richness of our community; Gospel Shabbat, featuring uplifting music and interfaith celebration; and Pride Shabbat, celebrating LGBTQ+ members and allies.
Occasionally, we are joined by special guest rabbis who bring unique perspectives and insights to these services, enriching the experience for all participants.
These themed Shabbat services provide meaningful opportunities for reflection, celebration, and connection—welcoming everyone to join in community, song, and prayer.
Shabbos DinnerShabbos Dinner at Kol Ami begins with Kabbalat Shabbat, a Friday evening service welcoming Shabbat with music, prayer, and reflection. Once a month, we follow the service with a potluck dinner, giving members and guests a chance to share food, fellowship, and conversation.
This gathering provides a relaxed, communal setting where participants can connect with one another and the traditions of Shabbat. It is an opportunity to celebrate togetherness and enjoy the spirit of Shabbat beyond the prayer service, making it a meaningful and inclusive worship experience.
A few times each year, Kol Ami gathers for Havdalah & Potluck, a special celebration marking the close of Shabbat. These gatherings—often hosted in a member’s home—begin with the Havdalah ceremony, featuring blessings over wine, fragrant spices, and the braided candle. Singing often accompanies the ritual, creating a warm and joyful way to transition from sacred time back into the week.
Following the ceremony, we share a potluck meal, where members and guests bring dishes to enjoy together in community.
Family & Youth Shabbat Services are designed to engage children, teens, and caregivers in age-appropriate worship. Through music, stories, and interactive rituals, families celebrate Shabbat together while deepening their connection to Jewish tradition.
These services provide a welcoming space for learning, prayer, and celebration—helping families build lasting connections to faith, community, and each other.
Learn more about our Family Services and activities.
Tot Shabbat is a joyful, interactive worship experience for young children and their families. Led by Rabbi Ari Jacobson, these gatherings blend simple prayers, songs, stories, and gentle movement—offering a playful yet meaningful introduction to Shabbat traditions.
Children explore blessings, learn melodies, and engage with stories while parents participate alongside them, creating shared memories and early connections to Jewish ritual. Tot Shabbat is part of Kol Ami’s commitment to multigenerational worship, nurturing an inclusive space where the youngest members can experience the rhythms and joy of Shabbat.
See upcoming Tot Shabbat dates and learn more.
At Kol Ami, we strive to keep our community connected through meaningful Shabbat worship and shared spiritual experiences. Whether attending in person or online, you can join our Friday evening and Saturday morning services, special-themed Shabbat, Tot Shabbat, or seasonal Havdalah gatherings all our welcome.
Stay up to date by signing up for our monthly Kol Ami newsletter, where you’ll receive announcements about upcoming services, worship resources, and special programs. You can also explore our calendar of services and events to see what’s coming up—everyone is welcome, and no membership is required.
Ready to deepen your connection? Contact us about participating in services, accessing Shabbat learning resources, or becoming a member of Kol Ami.
Sign up for a monthly newsletter about upcoming Kol Ami services and programs.
