Members and non-members alike are warmly invited to participate in all worship services on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Except as specifically noted below, services are held at the Roth Center for Jewish Life, 5 Occom Ridge, Hanover, New Hampshire.
Consistent with our diverse membership, we offer a mix of traditional and Reform services, as well as services geared to Hebrew School students and their families and young “tots.” All services are participatory and fully egalitarian. Information about services is posted on the home page and in the Weekly Update link at the top of the page.
Shabbat Service on Zoom
Many services are also streamed over Zoom at this link. If you would like to borrow a siddur (prayerbook) so that you may participate from home, please contact Chris DiPierro at the office (603-646-0460).
We want people to feel comfortable attending services regardless of their experience. Rabbi Mark and the Rauch Committee put together a short guide to familiarize you with the Shabbat service, which can be accessed at the bottom of the page.
Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Roth Center on Friday evenings are generally led by Rabbi Seth Linfield and Dartmouth students through Hillel at Dartmouth. Approximately once a month, there is a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service with guitar, led by Rabbi Seth and David Hoffer, which is also streamed via Zoom.
Kabbalat Shabbat services generally begin at 6:00 pm; consult the calendar or the Weekly Update for any changes.
Services are followed by Shabbat dinner at 7:00 pm, provided at no charge for both students and community members.
In parallel with the weekly Kabbalat Shabbat service at the Roth Center, Rabbi Mark Melamut leads monthly services (generally the first weekend of each month) at Eastman. For more information about the Eastman service, e-mail Sue Berg at .
Kol Ha’Emek offers a number of different services formats on Saturday mornings, all beginning at 10:00 am. Details about each week’s service options can be found in the calendar or the Weekly Update. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find our Shabbat Services handbook.
Traditional: Unless otherwise noted, Shabbat morning services follow a traditional/Conservative format and last about two hours. The service, led by Rabbi Mark and community members, is mostly in Hebrew and includes a lot of singing and a Torah discussion. Musaf is not generally chanted. If you would like to read Torah or Haftarah or lead a portion of the services, contact Rabbi Mark ().
Contemplative. Our Contemplative Shabbat services feature meditation, prayer, chant, poetry, and Torah study. The Contemplative service offers a slow pace and an opportunity to explore Jewish spirituality.
All School/Community Shabbat: Held several times during the school year, this format is a mix of student-led prayers and prayers and interactive discussion designed to appeal to Hebrew school students, their families and the broader community. The service lasts about 80 minutes.
Lunch and Learn: The UVJC periodically invites speakers to address the community over Shabbat lunch. See the calendar or the Weekly Update for upcoming dates.
Tot Shabbat: Periodic Tot Shabbat services – generally the same day as our All/School Community Shabbat services – are celebrated by our youngest members with their families on Saturday morning at 10:30 A.M. Tot Shabbat services are held in the lounge, directly adjacent to the library. Tot Shabbat services are designed for young children, up to and including kindergarten.
Saturday Morning Kiddush: Immediately after services, there is a delightful Kiddush prepared by members of the community on a rotating calendar.
Sponsoring Kiddush is a wonderful way of honoring a yahrzeit, a baby naming, a birthday, an anniversary or birth of a grandchild. For more information about hosting a Kiddush or reserving a date, contact Yoni Neirman by email at .
Kol Ha’Emek periodically holds brief, musical Havdalah services on Saturday evenings to mark the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the new week. Consult the calendar or the Weekly Update for upcoming dates.
In addition to Shabbat, Kol Ha’Emek holds services on Jewish holidays. Consult the calendar or the Weekly Update for dates and times.
If you would like to learn some of the liturgy that is sung or chanted during Shabbat services, our religious school director, Melissa Herman, has put together some resources for those who are preparing for bar and bat mitzvah, which are helpful for adults as well.
If you are unable to attend one of our services and would like to have a prayer for healing recited on behalf of someone who is ill, please contact Rabbi Mark Melamut at .
For questions about Kol Ha’Emek services or to provide feedback, contact the Ruach Committee by emailing ">.
To schedule an appointment with Rabbi Mark Melamut, contact him at or by calling the office at 603-646-0460.