Category: Prayer in Synagogue

5 Myths about Jewish Prayer

Prayer is one of the most common and misunderstood parts of Jewish life. Here are five myths about Jewish prayer.

Alex Friedman February 13, 2025 Every Day Prayer

Finding Meaning in Communal Prayer Without Hebrew Fluency

Being in community, singing with heart, by listening to the prayers, or by intending to connect with G-d are ways to lift up our experience.

Joshua Klein February 13, 2025 Every Day Prayer

The Eight Steps to Learn to Lead a Prayer Service

Interested in leading services for your community? This guide will help you, step by step, take on this amazing communal role.

Alex Friedman December 5, 2024 Community Every Day

Why Do Jews Pray 3 Times a Day?

Our tradition mandates we pray three times a day, but why? There are 2 theories. But, we might ask: What does it mean to pray?

Alex Friedman October 21, 2024 Afternoon Prayers (Mincha) Evening Service (Ma'ariv)

How Hearing the Torah Reading Can Change Your Life

So the next time you hear the Torah being read, I invite you to: listen deeply, engage with the text, and let it transform you.

Jacob Rapport September 25, 2024 Morning Service (Shacharit) Prayer

Tallit on the Bimah: Optional or Required?

This CJLS teshuva explores where and when a tallit should be worn on the bimah. This also addresses women wearing tallitot.

Reena Bromberg Gaber January 3, 2024 Accessories for Prayer CJLS

Jewish Prayer Leaders

An individual, Rabbi, Cantor, or volunteer, skilled in singing and well-versed in Torah learning and liturgy, is appointed to lead prayers.

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 16, 2023 Every Day Prayer

When Using Tribal Distinctions, How Might Women Be Called Up for Aliyot?

While writing a teshuvah on changing our language for aliyot to kohenet from bat kohen, Rabbi David J Fine, PhD, reflects on egalitarianism.

Rabbi David J Fine, PhD April 30, 2023 Blessings CJLS

Dress to Impress Yourself…Into the Book of Life

Sara Beth Berman teaches us: Everything you need to know about clothing the body that holds your precious soul for the High Holidays.

Sara Beth Berman (she/her) September 19, 2022 Clothing High Holidays

How to call Non-Binary Jews to the Torah

Being called to Torah is a moment of sacred encounter. Here's how to call Non-Binary Jews to the Torah based on the CJLS Teshuvah in ...

Rabbi Deborah Silver August 1, 2022 CJLS Halakhah

Shabbat Morning Services: What to Expect

We thank God, spend time in community, sing heartily, read holy texts, and revel in rest. What can I expect at a Shabbat morning service?

Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein June 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue

The Shabbat Afternoon Service

The Minhah Service on Saturday Shabbat afternoon contains a number of significant additions to the weekday Afternoon Service.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue

Friday Night Services at Synagogue: An Explainer

Friday night services on Shabbat include both Kabbalat Shabbat, a joyous recitation of psalms, and a Shabbat Maariv, the evening service.

Rabbi Michael Katz, The Observant Life (Book) April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Prayer