Services

Ritual activities at Beth Israel Center are rooted in our traditional origins and our evolution into an affiliate of the Conservative movement. Our Shabbat morning Torah reading consists of a full reading of the weekly portion. Service leadership and Torah readership are fully egalitarian. Teenagers who have acquired the skills of leading a service and/or reading from the Torah in preparation for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, are encouraged to continue to lead services and to read Torah portions.

Beth Israel Center is one of a small number of Conservative synagogues that can boast a cadre of more than 35 members who can lead a service, and more than 50 who can read Torah - adult men and women as well as teenagers. For information concerning the scheduling of service leadership, torah reading, or the recitation of a haftorah, contact Rayla Temin via e-mail at rgtemin@facstaff.wisc.edu.

Shabbat services are held every Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.  For young children, there is free childcare on Saturday from 10am until the end of morning services (about noon). This service is sponsored by the Beth Israel Center's Women's League.  We also have a Matchilim (beginners) Service from 10:00-11:00 (when Talmud Torah is in session).  This service is for children ages 7 and under accompanied by an adult.  This hands-on kid friendly service features lots of singing, stories and sharing.  Please come and try it out.  Call Beth Copelovitch at 256-7763 for more information about services for children.

In addition to Shabbat and Holiday services, daily services are scheduled throughout the week.

Shiva services at the home of a mourner or at the synagogue are arranged when so desired. Members who wish to have a weekday service any morning or evening, to commemorate a yahrzeit and to recite the Kaddish, are urged to make their request through the Beth Israel office at least one week prior to the yahrzeit.

For more information on all service matters, please call the Beth Israel Center office and either ask the office staff, or go to the voice mail extension #5 for information.