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 rest, gratitude, and joy.
At Kol Ami Shabbat sits at the heart of our community. Our services blend meaningful prayer, uplifting music, and shared reflection. Whether you join in person or online, all are welcome to find connection and renewal.
Rooted in the Reconstructionist tradition, our worship balances reverence with creativity while welcoming both those familiar with Jewish practice and those exploring it for the first time.
Kol Ami offers welcoming Shabbat services in Northern Virginia, serving the broader Washington, DC Jewish community.
We offer Shabbat services most weeks of the year, including Friday night services (usually once a month) and Saturday morning services (3-4 times a month). Services are led by our rabbi and by lay members of our community. You are welcome to join either in person or online.
Friday nights begin at 6:00 pm and conclude around 7:00 pm. Afterward, followed by a shared Shabbat dinner. Saturday mornings run from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and often include a lively Torah discussion, followed by kiddush.
For upcoming service dates, isit our Calendar page for information on upcoming services. If you would like information about joining virtually, please contact us.
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-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.
Each year we celebrate a number of special Shabbat services that highlight important values, traditions, and moments in our community. These include Healing Service, focusing on reflection and renewal; Inclusion & Diversity Shabbat, exploring ways of enhancing our inclusivity and honoring the richness of our community; Gospel Shabbat, featuring uplifting music and interfaith celebration; and Pride Shabbat, celebrating LGBTQ+ members and allies.
In addition, our B-Mitzvah services bring the family, friends, and congregation into the beautiful sanctuary of the UUCA for a joyous morning and meaningful participation in the service by the B-Mitzvah student. Several times a year, Kol Ami services led by guest rabbis bring unique perspectives and insights, enriching the experience for all participants.
Once a year, families plan and lead a Shabbat service on Saturday morning. Our JCEP students have a chance to lead the prayers they have been learning throughout the school year, both in class and with our music specialist, Ari Jacobson.
During the service, families and students participate together in prayer, learning, and celebration. These gatherings help families build lasting connections to faith, community, and one another.
Learn more about our Family services and activities.
Shabbat dinner begins with Kabbalat Shabbat, a Friday evening service that welcomes Shabbat with music, prayer, and reflection.
Once a month, Kol Ami gathers for this service as a community to mark the beginning of the Sabbath together.
Following the service, we share a communal potluck Shabbat dinner, giving members and guests an opportunity to enjoy food, fellowship, and conversation.
A few times each year, Kol Ami gathers for Havdalah & Potluck, a special celebration marking the close of Shabbat.
Often hosted in a member’s home, these gatherings 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 transition from sacred time back into the week.
After the ceremony, we share a potluck meal where members and guests bring dishes to enjoy together in community.
Tot ShabbatTot Shabbat is a joyful, interactive worship experience for young children and their families. Led by Ari Jacobson, these gatherings blend simple prayers, songs, stories, and gentle movement—offering a playful and meaningful introduction to Shabbat.
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 reflects Kol Ami’s commitment to multigenerational worship, nurturing a welcoming space where our youngest members can experience the joy and rhythm of Shabbat.
See upcoming Tot Shabbat dates and learn more.
Stay connected by signing up for our monthly Kol Ami newsletter to receive updates on upcoming Shabbat services and community gatherings, or explore our calendar to see what’s coming up.
Have questions about attending services? Contact us to learn more.
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