If you are new to Judaism or returning to services after a long while, we welcome you!
To help you set your intentions for the day and to (re)familiarize yourself with the Shabbat service, we have compiled a sampling of prayers, their meaning, and how they are to be sung. We invite you to join us for services and lift your voice with us in person or via streaming.
Below you will find texts and recordings of blessings and songs used in services and holiday observances. Whether you will be leading a prayer, attending a service, or gathering at home, we hope you enjoy these resources.
Morning Service
This prayer is meant to be recited when you awaken each day to give thanks for today’s new opportunities.
Before donning your tallis, inspect the garment to ensure it is whole and untangled, then kiss and bless the tallis with this prayer.
A morning prayer to greet the day with optimism and be open to the miraculous.
A set of prayers of gratitude and responsibility, these blessings help you set an intentional path towards happiness and well-being while acknowledging that wisdom and contentment comes from within.
An alphabetic acrostic meant to be recited three times a day, this prayer praises God for making our lives joyful and providing for us.
This is a blessing to be recited when you enter the sanctuary, as a prelude to prayer.
Morning & Evening
The “Call to Worship,” aligning leader and congregation in intention and participation—marking the end of the preparatory period and beginning of the main service.
These blessings describe God as the Creator of a constantly renewing world.
These blessings describe God as the Creator of a constantly renewing world.
Both a reminder and an affirmation to love God with all your heart and soul.
A joyous appreciation for the freedoms we experience in our sacred history, and our obligations to bring that freedom to others.
The opening blessing of the Amidah (standing prayer)/T’filah (central prayer) connecting us to our ancestors and our shared covenant.
This blessing acknowledges God’s infinite power and asks how we can use our own strengths to help and heal our world.
A recognition of the holiness of this day and of life more broadly.
An appreciation of the mode of prayer as a way to commune with God.
This prayer reminds us to recognize, give thanks for, and trust in our daily blessings
A blessing in gratitude for peace and wholeness.
During the Service
A blessing to be said before the Torah reading thanking God for choosing us and giving us the Torah.
To be said before reading from the prophetic books
To be said after reading from the prophetic books
Opening Shabbat, a sanctification of God’s creative power and the joy of the day.
As Shabbat ends, this closing blessing is said over wine, spices, and a braided candle symbolizing the many threads of our lives. The candle is then extinguished in a cup of wine.
Havdalah Blessings
Havdalah Blessings - with music
A song welcoming the Prophet Elijah and the hope for the coming of the Messianic Age.
A song expressing the common greeting “Have a good week!” to be said starting Saturday night.