Temple Beth Torah: Worship

Our services are held at at our home at St.John's Episcopal Church, 5649 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville VA 20120. Map to our temple

S ervices are normally held on Friday evenings, two –three times per month during the public school year. If services are held on Friday evenings, there will normally also be services on Saturday morning. Services are not normally held on public holidays, as many members of the congregation are not in town during those periods. On some weekends, Havdalah services are held on Saturday evenings.

Summer service schedules are also abbreviated. Havdalah services throughout the summer are frequently held at member homes without the rabbi in attendance, although the cantorial soloist frequently leads them.

A synagogue is any building or room set aside for prayer and religious study. It is a place sacred by virtue of its use. In every house of worship, be aware of the Divine presence and behave and dress accordingly. Do not eat or drink in the sanctuary. Please do not run in the building, but walk with dignity and respect. It is a great mitzvah to pray in a house of worship, and it is a sanctified place. When the ark is open, out of respect for the Torah, no one should be walking in or out of services.

Temple Beth Torah does its best to make members of all Jewish denominations feel comfortable at our services. The food provided at Onegs presents an opportunity to put into practice the observation of Jewish laws that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah has just elected to observe. While Temple Beth Torah does not maintain a Kosher kitchen policy, Onegs should not include food that may make other Jewish guests uncomforatable. Such things would include the serving of shellfish, pork, or the mixing of meat and dairy products. At events sponsored by the congregation, members should have consideration for other Jews who are more observant and not sponsor treif foods.

Temple Beth Torah celebrates a traditional High Holiday schedule. Tickets are free for member families. Babysitting is also available.

Rosh Hashanah (1 Tishrei): A Ma’ariv service occurs on the evening of the first day of Rosh Hashanah. A morning service also occurs, followed by a Tashlich service in the afternoon.

Yom Kippur (10 Tishrei): The first evening of Yom Kippur, includes a traditional Kol Nidre service. Morning Yizkor and Musaf services are followed by a late afternoon Neilah service.

Sukkot (15-20 Tishrei): Sukkot refers to the temporary dwelling places used by the children of Israel in the desert during the forty-year period following the exodus from Egypt. We celebrate the faith that God always somehow provides for man's needs, and man in turn, must be grateful.

Every year we hold our Sukkot celebration in the parking lot at Goddard School. All members and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend this fun celebration. Brotherhood erects a large Sukkah on the weekend prior to Sukkot. The Sukkah remains up for the entire period of Sukkot. Bring decorations to put on the Sukkah, as well as twigs, leaves, etc. A short dedication service is held where everyone will have the opportunity to shake the Lulav (branch) and Etrog (fruit). The oneg for this service is normally pot luck (dairy and pareve) and ends up being quite lavish. Bring chairs and blankets to sit on under and around the Sukkah.

Simchat Torah (23 Tishrei): Simchat Torah celebrates the gift of the Torah. We complete the annual cycle of parshiyot (Torah portions) and roll the Torah back to Bereshiet (Genesis) from Devarim (Deuteronomy). The congregation has a traditional Simchat Torah service with the congregation encouraged to dance with the Torah. Consecration of new students to religious education is also held at our Simchat Torah service.

Chanukah (25 Kislev – 3 Tivet): Chanukah celebrates the Maccabean resistance to the imposition of Greek religion, the overthrow of the Syrian Greek dynasty, and the restoration of the Temple. Chanukah celebrations at TBT might include parties in religious school classrooms, a family Chanukah Shabbat service, or other joyful ideas.

Tu Bishvat (15 Shevat): Tu Bishvat is one of the four Jewish New Years. Tu Bishvat was the new year for tithing and has been associated with the planting of trees, and celebrates the approaching season of renewal. Although there is no formal service for Tu Bishvat, the children in our religious schools collect Tzedakah money to contribute toward planting trees in Israel through the Jewish National Fund. Religious school students also taste fruits and nuts grown in Israel.

Purim (14 Adar): Purim celebrates the victory of the Jewish citizens of Persia, led by Esther and her uncle Mordecai, over the evil minister Haman. To celebrate Purim we hear the Megillah chanted during a fun song filled Purim Shpiel featuring our rabbi, cantor, education director and other synagogue leaders. Purim also features a Purim carnival for the children.

Pesach (15-22 Nisan): Pesach commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from their enslavement in Egypt. Passover seders are held in members homes on the first night of Pesach. On the second night, TBT sponsors a community seder at St. John’s. St. John’s congregants are normally also invited to attend.

Yom Hashoah (27 Nisan): Yom HaShoah commemorates the “Shoah” (Holocaust). A special service is held on the Shabbat prior to Yom HaShoah. At home religious school students light Yellow Memorial candles on Yom HaShoah Eve.

Yom Hazikaron/Yom Hatzmayut (4-5 Iyar): Yom Hazikaron, or Day of Remembrance, for Jews who have died for their people, and in Israel, citizens who have died defending the Jewish state. Yom Hatzmayut celebrates Israel’s Independence Day.

Shavuot (6-7 Sivan): Shavuot celebrates the receiving of the Torah from God at Sinai. A Shavout and Confirmation service is held on the nearest Shabbat. Our Confirmation students lead this special service.