Temple Israel holds Sabbath services Friday evening and Saturday morning every week. The Friday evening services use the Gates of Prayer (1975) edition, and include organ musical accompaniment. The organist is a paid professional, as is the soloist she accompanies. Friday evening services use a mix of Hebrew and English prayers and readings. These services have recently been “redesigned” to respond to the many needs of the community. The first Friday of each month a Family Service is held from 5:30 – 6:30. Regular services begin at 8:00 all other Fridays. On the 2nd Friday of each month, a short Kabbalat Shabbat is held at 7:30, prior to the regular service. We are also exploring some alternative prayer books. On the 3rd Friday, there is a short Torah service. On the 4th Friday, we are presenting a guest speaker, sermon, or other program of interest. An Oneg Shabbat is provided after services, except the week of the Family Service.

     The Saturday morning services use the KOL HANESHAMAH: Shabbat Vechagim, published by the Reconstructionist Press. The music is strictly accapella congregational singing, and the prayers and readings are done in a mix of English and Hebrew. Bat/Bar Mitzvah students participate in this service as part of their training, as there is no separate Junior Congregation for this purpose. Torah study sessions (readings on a triennial cycle) occur prior to the Saturday service with an emphasis on discussion and discovery.

     The prayer book used for the High Holy Days is Gates of Repentance. Rosh Hashonah Services are held for two days. On the first day of Rosh Hashonah, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morning, a vocal quartet of paid professions and an organist are present. On the 2nd day of Rosh Hashonah, the volunteer Congregational Choir joins the Rabbi in singing. Many congregants participate on the bima during the High Holy Days services with readings, prayers, and chanting Torah and Haftarah portions. There are (briefer) children’s services in parallel with the adult morning services. Kol Nidre attendance has traditionally been over 450.

     Temple Israel holds Festival morning services on Sukkot (first day only), Simchat Torah, Passover (first and seventh or eighth days only), and Yizkor Service (second day only).

     In addition, some Friday evening services are devoted to Consecration, Hadassah, Confirmation, and Religious School closing, and a Saturday morning service is devoted to Hebrew School closing each year. Each year there is an average of 4 students in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class. The Bar and Bat Mitzvahs lead significant portions of both the Friday evening and the Saturday morning services on the occasions of these ceremonies.

     Women participate fully in the liturgical life of the congregation, from being counted in the minyan, to being called to the Torah, leading services, and reading the Torah. It is the custom of the congregation that both men and women don a Tallit and Kippah if they are called to the Bima during a Torah service. The congregation currently has five rabbinic aides.

Are there services tonight?

If you're wondering if services have been cancelled for weather or any other reason, you can find out two ways:

* Call the Temple (724-8857). If services are cancelled, there will be an announcement on the answering machine

* When services are cancelled for weather-related reasons, it will be announced on radio station KDAL 610 am

Copyright © 2004-2006
Temple Israel Duluth

1602 East Second Street,  Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 724 - 8857   Fax  724 - 2560