COMMUNITY
Be a Shabbat Service Usher
It’s about handing out prayer books and announcements...
Or is it?
The lighting of the two Shabbat candles commemorates the two mitzvot of Shabbat: to remember, and to observe. Remembering Shabbat includes remembering the significance of Shabbat, as a commemoration of creation.
When congregants enter the Sanctuary for the Shabbat service on Friday nights, they are moving from the activities of the secular workweek, from their creative work in the world, into a space of rest and reflection, to observe and honor the sacredness of creation.
By ushering every few months, you will be serving your fellow congregants by building connectedness through making sure every person feels warmly welcomed and at home as they enter the Sanctuary, as well as by helping with directions and other needs.
Usher at a Shabbat Service
As an usher, you are welcoming people you know and those you don’t know as they enter the Sanctuary to observe Shabbat. Through your warm welcome they feel friendship and support as they depart the secular world into the shared and sacred space of reflection that is Shabbat.
The Benefits:
- You get to meet people you might not otherwise meet
- You get to see old friends
- You and your teen can do this together
- You can do this as a couple
- It is a Mitzvah and a good reason to come to services
- You contribute to people’s connection with their Jewishness
And, like some, you may find that scheduling yourself to be an usher supports predictable Shabbat attendance, thereby deepening your own personal Jewish connection.
Available Dates — Click Here
Thank you for your service to the temple community.
The Shir Hadash ushering program is coordinated by the Men’s Club.
