Pray
A ladder stood on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven (Genesis 28:12)
This is prayer. (Zohar)
Friday Nights
We hold Friday night services once a month at the North Chevy Chase Christian Church (NC4), and meet in members’ homes once a month for a potluck dinner — “Shabbat in Our Homes.” Please check our online calendar for the schedule.
Our Friday night services feature global Jewish music, plenty of ruach/spirit, soulful davening, and occasional dancing in the aisles! Led by Hazzan Ramón Tasat, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., followed by an Oneg Shabbat (light refreshments), usually on the second Friday night of the month.
Friday Night Programs
Upcoming Programs and Dates in 2019-20:
Jan. 10: Friday Night Service at NC4 with Hazzan Ramón Tasat
Jan. 24: Shabbat in Our Homes
Feb. 7: Tu B’Shvat Seder at NC4, led by Rabbi Gilah, with guest speaker John Leary, Executive Director of Trees for the Future
March 6: Shabbat in Our Homes
March 20: Friday Night Service at NC4, led by Hazzan Ramón Tasat, with Kolot HaLev and guest musician Steven Glass
April 17: Friday Night Service at NC4, led by Hazzan Ramón and Rabbi Gilah
May 1: Friday Night Service at NC4 with Hazzan Ramón
May 22: Shabbat in Our Homes
Shabbat Morning
Our Shabbat services are intimate and filled with uplifting music and spiritual inspiration.
We meet each Shabbat, with davening, meditation, Torah reading, and discussion. We start at 9:30, finish at noon, and enjoy a light kiddush until 12:30 p.m. Members of the congregation are encouraged to read Torah, chant a Haftorah, or give a reflection on the Torah reading. We also invite our B’nei Mitzvah kids to lead a prayer or two in the service.
Once or twice a month, Rabbi Langner or other guest speakers leads a “Rabbi’s Table” seminar-style learning and discussion session, from 11:00 to 11:50 on Shabbat morning after a slightly shortened service. People are welcome to attend the entire morning or to come just for the Rabbi’s Table discussion. Occasional “After Kiddush” sessions feature members of Shirat HaNefesh who include rabbis and educators, on topics of their choosing.
Rabbi’s Tables for 2019-2020 include:
August 10: Shabbat Hazon: What Went Wrong According to the Talmud
August 17: The Shma: Finding Your “Me’od”
Sept. 7: Shoftim: Studying Chumash with Rashi
Sept. 28: Nitzavim: The Theology of Deuteronomy and the Machzor
Oct. 12: Haazinu and Leadership — The Oven of Achnai Story in the Talmud
Oct. 26: Bereishit: The Nature of Midrash, and Creation Midrash
Nov. 2: Views of Noah: with Rabbi Bob Saks
Nov. 30: Toledot: Rabbinic Views of Isaac and Rebecca
Dec. 7: VaYetze: Hasidic Approaches to Reading Torah
Dec. 21: VaYeshev: Joseph and Human Rights
Jan. 18: Shmot: The Economics of American Judaism, with Dr. Carmel Chiswick
Feb. 29: Terumah: with Gideon Amir
Mar. 14: Ki Tisa: with Ira Zukerman
Apr. 18: Shmini: with Gideon Amir
Holidays
High Holidays
Shirat HaNefesh is blessed with many varied, talented, and motivated members who contribute to make the Days of Awe meaningful.