WHAT TO EXPECT
We are aware that our first time visitors come from a variety of faith backgrounds, so we expect that you will have questions about our service and family. With this in mind, we have answered some of the most common questions below.
What to expect
Dress: We encourage everyone who attends to dress both comfortably and modestly. For some, this may be more dressed up, and for others more casual.
How long is the Service: Our main Shabbat service begins at 10:00am and usually runs for between 2 and 2.5 hours in length.
Children: We have a strong passion for families to worship together! So, we strongly encourage children to take part in the entire worship experience, including joining in Dance during praise and worship. Our family expects children to be children until they grow up, so please don’t be concerned about your little one fidgeting or making some noise. We also provide crayons and an activity sheet each week.
For those who may need it, we do have a nursery available for children 4 years old and under, however, we do not have a nursery worker at this time, so we ask that if you feel your child needs to go to the nursery for a few minutes, please feel free to take them. In most services during Rabbi’s message, we have a class for children ages 5-12 to attend.
What is the service like: Our service consists of traditional Jewish liturgy in Hebrew and English, modern praise and worship music, Davidic Dance, a Torah service, and the rabbi's message.
How do I follow the service: We do our entire service via slides on a display screen. All of our traditional Jewish liturgy (in Hebrew, transliterated Hebrew, which is Hebrew in English letters, and English), as well as our music lyrics and announcements, will be on the screen for everyone to follow along with and be on the same page.
If you have more questions feel free to attend our Foundations of Messianic Judaism class Saturday mornings at 9:00am, which is an open question and answer forum. Or feel free to email any additional questions to raveric@britahm.org
Etiquette During Service
Singing and Praying: Join in with Hebrew and English songs and prayers as much, or as little, as you feel comfortable.
Standing and Bowing: We stand a lot during worship. There will be clear cues for you to rise during specific portions of the service (please do not feel obligated to stand, especially if you are medically unable to do so). You will notice many people bowing as an act of reverence before the L-rd at different times during certain prayers. If this is unfamiliar to you, do not feel obligated to bow. You’ll get the hang of it over time!
Dancing: We incorporate Davidic dance as a worship expression during certain parts of the service. You are welcome to participate if you would like and someone will help guide you in the steps.
Common Hebrew Terms Used
Yeshua = Jesus
Brit Chadashah = New Testament
Shabbat = Sabbath; Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday
Challah = Traditional braided bread enjoyed on Shabbat
Shalom = Peace, Hello, Goodbye
Kiddush & Motzi = Special blessings for joy and sustenance said over bread and wine at the end of the service
Bimah = Raised platform at the front of the sanctuary and/or the table on which the Torah is read
Parsha = Weekly reading from the Torah read in an annual cycle
Torah = First five books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy)
Ruach HaKodesh = Holy Spirit/Spirit of G-d
Haftarah = Weekly reading from the Biblical Prophets that coincides with the Torah portion
Tzedakah Box = Offering box located at the sides of the sanctuary for tithes and offerings
Tanakh = Jewish Bible, the Old Testament, or TaNaKh (Torah, Neviim [Prophets], and Ketuvim [Writings])
Tevilah = Immersion or baptism
How long is the Service: Our main Shabbat service begins at 10:00am and usually runs for between 2 and 2.5 hours in length.
Children: We have a strong passion for families to worship together! So, we strongly encourage children to take part in the entire worship experience, including joining in Dance during praise and worship. Our family expects children to be children until they grow up, so please don’t be concerned about your little one fidgeting or making some noise. We also provide crayons and an activity sheet each week.
For those who may need it, we do have a nursery available for children 4 years old and under, however, we do not have a nursery worker at this time, so we ask that if you feel your child needs to go to the nursery for a few minutes, please feel free to take them. In most services during Rabbi’s message, we have a class for children ages 5-12 to attend.
What is the service like: Our service consists of traditional Jewish liturgy in Hebrew and English, modern praise and worship music, Davidic Dance, a Torah service, and the rabbi's message.
How do I follow the service: We do our entire service via slides on a display screen. All of our traditional Jewish liturgy (in Hebrew, transliterated Hebrew, which is Hebrew in English letters, and English), as well as our music lyrics and announcements, will be on the screen for everyone to follow along with and be on the same page.
If you have more questions feel free to attend our Foundations of Messianic Judaism class Saturday mornings at 9:00am, which is an open question and answer forum. Or feel free to email any additional questions to raveric@britahm.org
Etiquette During Service
Singing and Praying: Join in with Hebrew and English songs and prayers as much, or as little, as you feel comfortable.
Standing and Bowing: We stand a lot during worship. There will be clear cues for you to rise during specific portions of the service (please do not feel obligated to stand, especially if you are medically unable to do so). You will notice many people bowing as an act of reverence before the L-rd at different times during certain prayers. If this is unfamiliar to you, do not feel obligated to bow. You’ll get the hang of it over time!
Dancing: We incorporate Davidic dance as a worship expression during certain parts of the service. You are welcome to participate if you would like and someone will help guide you in the steps.
Common Hebrew Terms Used
Yeshua = Jesus
Brit Chadashah = New Testament
Shabbat = Sabbath; Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday
Challah = Traditional braided bread enjoyed on Shabbat
Shalom = Peace, Hello, Goodbye
Kiddush & Motzi = Special blessings for joy and sustenance said over bread and wine at the end of the service
Bimah = Raised platform at the front of the sanctuary and/or the table on which the Torah is read
Parsha = Weekly reading from the Torah read in an annual cycle
Torah = First five books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy)
Ruach HaKodesh = Holy Spirit/Spirit of G-d
Haftarah = Weekly reading from the Biblical Prophets that coincides with the Torah portion
Tzedakah Box = Offering box located at the sides of the sanctuary for tithes and offerings
Tanakh = Jewish Bible, the Old Testament, or TaNaKh (Torah, Neviim [Prophets], and Ketuvim [Writings])
Tevilah = Immersion or baptism