Logo of Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel

Worship Service Schedules

Daily, Shabbat and Festival worship services at BEKI are traditional, egalitarian and participatory. The liturgy is the standard Conservative Ashkenazi Hebrew siddur as represented by Siddur Sim Shalom, Siddur Sim Shalom – Shabbat & Festivals edition and Or Hadash — A Commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom; the full Torah reading is read according to the traditional annual cycle. Doors open 15 minutes before scheduled service times. The building is accessible to those using wheelchairs and with limited mobility by entering through the front main doors on Harrison Street or through the East Entrance from the parking area. Most services take place at floor level enabling all to approach the reader's table and Torah reading table. Children's participation is encouraged in all services and special Youth Services are often available concurrent to main services.

Daily, Pesaḥ, Shavuot & Federal Holiday Services

Daily Service Times
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Shabbat
9:00a-9:30a 7:00a-7:45a 7:00a-7:30a 7:00a-7:30a 8:15a-9:00a 7:00a-7:30a 9:15a-noon
5:45p-6:15p 5:45p-6:15p 5:45p-6:15p 5:45p-6:15p 5:45p-6:15p 6:00p-6:45p *see below
For Federal Holidays, Special Days and Festivals see below

Federal Holidays & Special Days

Sunday and weekday morning services 9:00a (not 7:00a) on 1 January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (Fourth of July), Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving and 25 December.

No Afternoon or Evening services on Thanksgiving and first and second nights of Passover unless otherwise announced

Festival Morning Services: 9:15a - noon
Festivals include the first and last two days of Pesaḥ, both days of Shavuot, the first two days of Sukkot, Shemini Atseret and Simḥat Torah (see below)
Hoshana Rabba Morning Service: 9:15a to 11:15a
Festival & Tisha BeAv Evening Services: Call 203-389-2108

Shabbat Services תפילות שבת

Shabbat (Sabbath - Saturday) Services תפילות שבת
Applies year-round except for Rosh HaShana & Yom Kippur
Day Frequency Service Begins Ends Place
Friday Afternoon & Evening Every Week Qabbalat Shabbat & Maariv 6:00p 6:45p George Posener Daily Chapel
Saturday Morning Every Week Shaḥarit & Musaf 9:15a noon Sanctuary
Every Week Children's Ḥavura (Preschoolers) 10:45a noon Claire Goodwin Youth Room
Every Week K-2 Kehila
(Grades K-2)		 10:45a noon Classroom 6
Every Week Junior Congregation 10:45a noon Classroom 4
Most Weeks Cosmic Conversations for Youth 10:45a noon Lower Lobby
Every Other Week Learners' Minyan 10:45a noon Office
Saturday Afternoon Every Week Minḥa 5:45p (Apr-Oct) or
20 min. before Sundown
(Nov-Mar)		 40 minutes George Posener Daily Chapel
Nov-Mar Study
 After Minḥa
(Nov-Mar)		 30 minutes George Posener Daily Chapel
Nov-Mar Evening Service after Study
(Nov-Mar)		 15 minutes George Posener Daily Chapel
Nov-Mar Havdala
(Nov-Mar)		 after Maariv 5 minutes George Posener Daily Chapel

If you cannot attend services at BEKI, please consult the service schedule of other local United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism congregations.


Image of High Holy Days Ticket 1953

High Holy Day Services 2007 - 5768
ימים נוראים תשס״ח

Terei Asar Neviim - Twelve Prophets Scroll Cover

Active-duty military and police personnel, and full-time students, may enter with valid official ID. Children require pre-registration for children's programs. Adults require tickets or reservations for most services. Please contact our office (203) 389-2108 x14 office@beki.org or download documents for information, registration and ticketing See a message from Rabbi Tilsen on "Fasting & Not Fasting on Yom Kippur" for those who should not fast.

At left: Terei Asar Neviim – Twelve Prophets Scroll Cover



High Holy Day Service Times 2007 - 5768 תשס״ח
Holy Day Date Service Begins Ends Place
Seliḥot Penitential Sat 8 Sep 2007 Conservative-Masorti Community Maariv & Havdala 8:30p
Program 8:35p
Refreshments 9:30p
Youth Choirs 9:45p
Service 10:00p		 11:05p B'nai Jacob Chapel
Sunday before Rosh HaShana Sun 9 Sep 2007 Qever Avot
Cemetery Memorial Service		 10:00a 10:30a Beth El Memorial Park
Warner St. Hamden
Qever Avot
Cemetery Memorial Service		 11:00a 11:30a Keser Israel Memorial Park
Farwell St. West Haven
Rosh Hashana Wed 12 Sep 2007 Candle Lighting 6:49p*
Minḥa Afternoon 6:45p 7:00p Sanctuary
Evening 7:00p 7:30p Sanctuary
Rosh HaShana Thu 13 Sep 2007 Morning Service: Birkhot HaShaḥar & Pesuqei DeZimra 8:30a 9:00a Sanctuary
1 Tishrei 5768 Babysitting By Preregistration Only
Morning Service: Shaḥarit 9:00a 10:00a Sanctuary
Torah Service 10:00a 10:50a Sanctuary
Shofar Service 10:30a 10:45a Sanctuary
Children's Ḥavura (Preschoolers) 10:30a (after Shofar Service)
& 11:45a		 1:00p As Posted in Lobby
K-2 Kehila
(Grades K-2)		 10:30a (after Shofar Service)
& 11:45a		 1:00p As Posted in Lobby
Junior Congregation 10:30a (after Shofar Service)
& 11:45a		 1:00p As Posted in Lobby
Cosmic Conversations for Youth 10:30a (after Shofar Service)
& 11:45a		 1:00p As Posted in Lobby
Devar Torah 10:50a 11:15a Main Sanctuary
Learners' Minyan After Devar Torah 1:00p Ballroom Lower Level
Musaf ~11:15a ~1:00p Sanctuary
Children's Snack 11:35a 11:50a As Posted in Lobby
Tashlikh 4:30p 5:00p Edgewood Bridge
Tashlikh By Request Contact office@beki.org Beaver Ponds Park
Tashlikh 4:30p 5:00p Whitney Museum Covered Bridge
Minḥa Afternoon 6:45p 7:05p Sanctuary
Evening Service 7:05p 7:30p Sanctuary
Candle Lighting after 7:47p**
Rosh HaShana Fri 14 Sep 2007 Morning Service: Pesuqei DeZimra 8:30a 9:00a Sanctuary
2 Tishrei 5768 Babysitting 8:30a 1:00p By Preregistration Only
Morning Service: Shaḥarit 9:00a 10:00a Sanctuary
Torah Service 10:00a 10:50a Main Sanctuary
Shofar Service 10:30a 10:45a Main Sanctuary
Children's Ḥavura (Preschoolers) 10:30a (after Shofar Service)
& 11:45a		 1:00p As Posted in Lobby
K-2 Kehila
(Grades K-2)		 10:30a (after Shofar Service)
& 11:45a		 1:00p As Posted in Lobby
Junior Congregation 10:30a (after Shofar Service)
& 11:45a		 1:00p As Posted in Lobby
Cosmic Conversations for Youth 10:30a (after Shofar Service)
& 11:45a		 1:00p As Posted in Lobby
Devar Torah 10:50a 11:15a Main Sanctuary
Musaf 11:15a 1:00p Main Sanctuary
Children's Snack 11:35a 11:50a As Posted in Lobby
Rosh HaShana afternoon & Erev Shabbat Minḥa Afternoon 6:00p 6:15p George Posener Daily Chapel
Shabbat Evening Maariv Evening 6:15p 6:45p George Posener Daily Chapel
Shabbat Fri 14 Sep 2007 Candle Lighting 6:46p* **
Shabbat Shuva Sat 15 Sep 2007 Shaḥarit & Musaf 9:15a noon Sanctuary
Children's Ḥavura (Preschoolers) 10:45a noon Claire Goodwin Youth Room
K-2 Kehila
(Grades K-2)		 10:45a noon Classroom 6
Junior Congregation 10:45a noon TBA
Cosmic Conversations for Youth 10:45a noon TBA
Shabbat Shalom Learners' Minyan 10:45a noon Library
Minḥa 5:45p 6:25p George Posener Daily Chapel
Yom Kippur Fri 21 Sep 2007 Minḥa Afternoon 6:15p 6:30p Sanctuary
Supervised Children's Freeplay 6:15p 8:35p By Preregistration Only
Candle Lighting 6:33p*
Kol Nidre & Maariv Evening 6:30p 8:15p Sanctuary
Yom Kippur Sha 22 Sep 2007 Shaḥarit Morning & Musaf 9:00a 2:00p Sanctuary
10 Tishrei 5768 Babysitting By Preregistration Only
Children's Ḥavura (Preschoolers) 10:30a & 12:00p 1:30p As Posted in Lobby
K-2 Kehila
(Grades K-2) 		10:30a & 12:00m 1:30p As Posted in Lobby
Junior Congregation 10:30a & 12:00m 1:30p As Posted in Lobby
Children's Light Lunch (Pre-Bar/Bat Mitzva Age) 11:50a 12:05p As Posted in Lobby
Cosmic Conversations for Youth 10:30a & 12:00m 1:30p As Posted in Lobby
Yizkor Memorial after 11:00a Sanctuary
Learners' Minyan after Yizkor 2:00p Ballroom Lower Level
Study Session 2:30p 4:30p Rosenkrantz Family Library
Teen Discussion 2:30p 4:30p Lobby
Minḥa Afternoon 5:00p 6:00p Sanctuary
Supervised Children's Freeplay 5:00p 7:45p By Preregistration Only
Announcements 6:00p 6:10p Sanctuary
Neila Closing 6:10p 7:10p Sanctuary
Maariv Evening 7:10p 7:25p Sanctuary
Havdala & Shofar 7:25p 7:36p Sanctuary
Posener Break-Fast 7:36p 9:00p Ballroom Lower Level
* Unless otherwise indicated, candles may be lighted at or before time given
** Indicates candles must be lighted by transferring existing flame

Sukkot & Shemini Atseret - Simḥat Torah
Festival Services 2007 - 5768
סֻכות שמיני עצרת שמחת תורה תשס״ח

Lulav & etrog are used each morning from the beginning of Sukkot through the morning of Hoshana Rabba, but not including Shabbat. For information on ordering a lulav and etrog, contact the office at office@beki.org. Some services, and Shabbat Qiddush, are held in the sukka, weather permitting. Please dress accordingly. During Hol HaMoed and Hoshana Rabba (except on Shabbat), some wear tefillin until Hallel is begun; others do not wear tefillin during this period. The BEKI Moishe Schnitman Sukka is open for use to members and their guests, supporters and neighbors; no representation is made by the synagogue concerning the kashrut of food brought by members and their guests, supporters and neighbors for personal use.


Sukkot & Shemini Atseret - Simḥat Torah
Service Times 2007 - 5768
Holy Day Date Service/Event Begins Ends Place
Pre-Sukkot Sunday 23 September 2007 Sukka Build 9:30a noon Courtyard
Sukkot Eve Wednesday 26 September 2007 Minḥa Afternoon 5:45p 6:00p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Candle Lighting 6:25p*
Festival Maariv Evening 6:00p 6:35p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Festival Dinner by RSVP 6:35p 8:00p Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Sukkot First Day Thursday 27 September 2007 Festival Shaḥarit Morning 9:15a noon Main Sanctuary
Sukka Hop 12:30p 5:00p Westville Neighborhood & Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Festival Minḥa Afternoon 5:45p 6:00p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Festival Maariv Evening 6:00p 6:30p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Candle Lighting after 7:25p*
Sukkot Second Day Friday 28 Sept 2007 Festival Shaḥarit Morning 9:15a noon Main Sanctuary
Festival Minḥa Afternoon 6:00p 6:15p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Shabbat Hol HaMoed Maariv Evening 6:15p 6:35p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Shabbat Hol HaMoed 29 September 2007 Shabbat Hol HaMoed
Shaḥarit Morning(USA)		 9:15a noon Main Sanctuary
Children's Shabbat Ḥavura (Preschoolers) 10:45a 11:30a Claire Goodwin Youth Room
K-2 Kehila
(Grades K-2)		 10:45a 11:30a Classroom 6
Junior Congregation 10:45a 11:30a George G. Posener Daily Chapel
Shabbat Shalom Learners' Minyan 10:45a to noon Office
Qohelet – Ecclesiastes Follows Haftara Main Sanctuary
Minḥa (Afternoon) & Maariv (Evening) 5:45p 6:15p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Sunday 30 Sept 2007 Shaḥarit Morning 9:00a 9:10a George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Minḥa (Afternoon) & Maariv (Evening) 5:45p 6:15p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Monday 01 Oct 2007 Shaḥarit Morning 7:00a 8:20a George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Minḥa (Afternoon) & Maariv (Evening) 5:45p 6:15p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Tuesday 02 Oct 2006 Shaḥarit Morning 7:00a 8:15a George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Minḥa (Afternoon) & Maariv (Evening) 5:45p 6:15p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Hoshana Rabba Wednesday 03 October 2007 Shaḥarit Morning 9:15a 11:00a George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
Minḥa (Afternoon) 5:45p 6:00p George Posener Daily Chapel
Shemini Atseret Festival Maariv Evening 6:00p 6:20p George Posener Daily Chapel
Candle Lighting 6:11p
Shemini Atseret Thursday 04 October 2007 Festival Shaḥarit Morning 9:15a noon Main Sanctuary
Yizkor Memorial Service 10:30a 10:45a Main Sanctuary
Festival Minḥa Afternoon 6:00p 6:15p Main Sanctuary
Candle Lighting after7:11p
Simḥat Torah Thursday 04 October 2007 Festival Maariv Evening & Haqafot (Dancing) 6:30p 8:00p Main Sanctuary & Social Hall
Simḥat Torah Friday 05 October 2007 Festival Shaḥarit Morning 9:15a 1:00p Main Sanctuary & Social Hall
Haqafot (Dancing) 10:00a 11:00p Main Sanctuary
Minḥa Afternoon 6:00p 6:15p George Posener Daily Chapel
Shabbat Maariv Evening 6:15p 6:35p George Posener Daily Chapel or Moishe Schnitman Sukka
* Unless otherwise indicated, candles may be lighted at or before time given



Candle Lighting Times הדלקת נרות

The sanctuary of Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel is located at approximately North 41° 19' 43.10" West 72° 57' 41.80" and is about 70 feet (21 meters) above sea level. Candle lighting times are calculated for that location and are rounded back to the nearest minute so the lighting time will be 18 to 19 minutes before the halakhic (Jewish legal) definition of sunset. The halakhic sunset will be about one minute later than civil sunset. If you are within New Haven or its surrounding towns your recommended lighting time will be within a minute of the time listed below, well within the "safety margins" established by tradition.

For candle lighting times for the New Haven Area, enter ZIP Code 06515 at USCJ Candlelighting Times Guide.

For candle lighting times and additional time parameters, see MyZmanim for New Haven and adjust elevation to 21 meters where applicable. The bottom left of the screen provides a date menu.

For a Hebrew Calendar Add-on with candle lighting times for Mozilla Firefox, see https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1379.

Want to know who is scheduled to lead the services? Consult the Service Leader Rotation Schedule to see who is doing what where on Shabbat Evenings, Mornings and Afternoons.



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Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel
85 Harrison Street at Whalley Avenue
New Haven, CT USA 06515-1724
(203) 389-2108
Fax (203) 389-5899

Email to the BEKI office: office@beki.org
Email to Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen: jjtilsen@beki.org