Upcoming Events

The Mishkan: Celebrate Shabbat with Study and Song – Summer 2020

Location: Virtual

From: 9:30 am - 11:00am

Details:

During the summer, The Mishkan service will take place every Saturday until September 5th.

This intimate, musical, and participatory service features a deeper dive into the Shabbat morning prayers. Using Mishkan T’filah as our guide, we will explore different modes of prayer, using both traditional and new music, readings, and prayer practices. Each service will offer the opportunity for Torah study. Join with an open, supportive community to “unplug,” reflect, learn and find new meaning in tradition. Our Central clergy will lead this service in rotation. All are welcome.

Join us via Livestream or Facebook Live.

Here’s what our members have to say about The Mishkan:

Two months ago, I attended my first Mishkan service and was immediately drawn to the warm and intimate setting that the clergy and the members (many of whom are regulars) have created.  The service has a beautiful cadence that gives me the opportunity to pray, to reflect, and to study Torah in a thoughtful and sometimes spirited discussion. Mishkan has become a very special part of my week, a way to worship with clergy members that I didn’t know well and who give so much of themselves every Saturday morning to making the service a deeply personal experience.  I would recommend grabbing a Starbucks on Lex and attending a service that will give you a greater appreciation of Judaism and Central. – Lee Stettner

What a wonderful way to begin a Saturday – sitting in a semi-circle with Central friends (some new, some old), hearing such prayerful music, parsing a Torah portion together, and being in such close contact with our own spiritual leaders – sheer bliss!  And for new and wait-list members who are looking for a way to feel at home at Central, it’s a perfect way to meet people and get to know our clergy.  Saturday morning doesn’t replace Friday night services for me, it just adds additional joy to my life. – Audrey Zucker

If you can imagine a warmer welcoming place than the sanctuary at Central, which is hard to do, then the only thing that fills the bill is the Mishkan service.  It’s a combination of meaningful prayer, and deep torah study that only can be accomplished in a small intimate setting. Personally, I feel more connected to my Jewish roots.  It also enables me to get to know other congregants better.  I am so glad that this blessing was started, and I hope it continues for a long, long time. – Laura Strauss

The Mishkan worship experience takes place in a smaller area in the Community House in a semi-circle, all of us seated and facing each other in rows.

Immediately there is a closeness to this gathering that allows the intention of worship and prayer to begin to happen with song, musical instruments, words.  This shabbat service worship service both expands and contracts the more formal service in the synagogue.  Yes, it is the quieter, smaller, more intimate flow that encourages deep connection to the texts, chanted and spoken. This very careful planning by the clergy allows the ease with which we move into a rich, joyful Shabbat worship experience.  It is addictive! (in a good way)—Susan Levin Schlechter

Experiencing Shabbat morning prayer in an intimate setting with more time for Torah study and musical exploration, led by amazing clergy and shaliach tzibur, has added immeasurably to the spiritual breadth of my Jewish observance.  There are many ways to experience communal prayer and the Mishkan service wonderfully complements Central’s other Shabbat services.  – Karen Chaikin

Saturday Shabbat Central

Location: Virtual

From: 10:00 am - 11:00am

Details:

Families with Children ages 0-5 • Open to All • No RSVP Required

To receive the Zoom link information for this event, please email Kazue Thomas at thomask@censyn.org

Shabbat Central, formerly known as Tot Shabbat, provides a warm, exciting, and accessible Shabbat experience for your entire family. Geared to families of children from birth to age five, Shabbat Central is led by an experienced musician and children’s service leader along with members of the Family Engagement department and Early Childhood Department staff. Children and families gather together for song, prayer, movement, stories, and fun. Following the service, a light meal is served.

Lift Up the Light – Community Havdalah Service

Location: Virtual

From: 6:30 pm - 7:00pm

Details:

You’re used to beginning Shabbat with Central. Let’s gather to end Shabbat together. Join us for havdalah, our service marking Shabbat’s conclusion and start your week off right. By candlelight we will sing, pray, and share folktales from our tradition. Jews love telling stories! At the end of Havdalah we ask the prophet Elijah (yes the Pesach guest) to come usher peace into the world. Tradition tells us Elijah roams the earth looking for good hearted, generous, kind souls. Each service we will hear a tale of Elijah which highlights goodness and reminds us, in these uncertain times, of the power of extending a helping hand to one another. Let’s begin the week lifting up the light.

This service will be led by Cantor Julia Cadrain and Rabbi Nicole Auerbach.

Register here for this service available via Zoom (Open to Central members only.)