Shiru Shabbat - Congregation B'nai Israel

Shiru Shabbat is a joyous, musical Kabbalat Shabbat service held at CBI and led by Molly Bajgot with Aram Rubenstein Gillis, Matt Goldfield, and other guests. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy after services!

Shiru Shabbat is inspired by the circular davvening (prayer) style of Nava Tehila, a renewal style prayer service in Jerusalem, and by Rabbi Micah Shapiro's Shabbat Nariya services in Boston, Massachusetts. The service includes contemporary melodies and the use of instruments to create a song-full, heart expanding Shabbat experience. Come to sing out, be washed in sound, and to connect with community at the end of the week.

Shiru Shabbat invites you to join our new Ruach* Circle, a circle of community musicians and vocalists to elevate our song at Shiru Shabbat (*ruach means spirit). See more below.

Schedule

Spring and Summer 2024 Dates (begin at 6:00 pm)
May 17
June 7
June 21
July 5
July 19
Aug 2 or 9 (TBD)
Aug 30

Fall 2024 Dates (begin at 6:00 pm)
September 13 at the CBI Shabbaton
September 27
October 18 in the CBI Sukkah
November 1
November 15
December 6
December 20

CBI Ruach Circle

Calling all instrumentalists and singers!
Do you enjoy singing at Shiru Shabbat? Do you play an instrument and would be excited to play along?

Shiru Shabbat invites you to join our Ruach* Circle, a circle of community musicians and vocalists to elevate our song at Shiru Shabbat (*ruach means spirit). The Ruach Circle meets once a month to prepare for the upcoming month’s Friday night services with Shiru Shabbat prayer leaders, and then participate in leading our community davening.

Come to our next Ruach Circle rehearsal:
Thursday, July 25, 7:00-8:30 pm in CBI Sanctuary

RSVP to let us know you'll be there.
String, horns, and voices are welcome. Questions? Reach out to Molly Bajgot.

Ruach Circle FAQ:

What happens at a Ruach Circle rehearsal?
At rehearsal, we will learn the tunes for the upcoming months services and practice different arrangements for strings, horns, and voices. You will be provided with recordings to continue listening and practicing afterwards and, when applicable, sheet music.

What’s the time commitment?
Ruach Circle rehearsal is 1.5 hours per month. After rehearsal, participants are eligible to help lead Shiru Shabbat services for that coming month. There are usually two Shiru Shabbat’s services per month, and you are welcome to participate in one or both.

Do I have to come every month?
No, you do not have to come to Ruach Circle practice each month. However, because each rehearsal prepares us for the month ahead, we ask that you attend rehearsal that correlates to the month that you'd like to lead.

What does leading on Friday night look like?
Ruach Circle members will sit in the inner circle of chairs during Shiru Shabbat services. Shiru Service leaders will conduct the tempo and length of each prayer or chant, and Ruach Circle members will provide ruach (spirit), harmony, instruments, and energetic presence to support the community davening experience.

Am I qualified to be on the Ruach Team?
Do you have ruach (spirit) and kavanah (intention) during services? Do you enjoy singing, or play a string or horn instrument proficiently? If yes, this may be a good fit for you! Come try out playing with us. Singers will learn harmony arrangements and instrumentalists will learn parts and have opportunities for improvisation. This is an informal circle of community musicians to uplift our prayer.