Celebrate Shabbat

The core of Temple Rodef Shalom is our Shabbat service — at the end of the week, we pause for Shabbat and come together as a community of people who care for each other. Together, in times of joy, sorrow, and every day, we hope to create a spiritual encounter with self, community and God.

Reflecting the diversity of our membership, we have diversity in our prayer-life as well. We celebrate Shabbat with song, prayer and learning. Our dynamic clergy team leads the congregation and seeks to provide a prayer experience to which each of us can connect. We invite you to join us!

Please email us at or call 703-532-2217 if you need any accommodations to participate in any of our services.

Our services are described below or visit our calendar of upcoming services.

Shabbat Services

Each Friday evening, immerse yourself in Shabbat with the music and meditation of prayer and the warmth of community. Temple Rodef Shalom offers services that sit at the intersection of tradition and modernity, presenting each the opportunity to find their own place and connection. Our services are spiritually and intellectually uplifting experiences.

This open and accessible service includes prayer and music for all. With the exception of the Parallel Shabbat Service (see below), young people who are becoming B’nai Mitzvah join our clergy in leading the congregation, reading from the Torah and giving a D’var Torah.

Special Services

We welcome Shabbat in this informal, one-hour adult oriented service with an emphasis on spiritual music and accessible singing. This is the adult alternative to the Family Shabbat Evening Service.

This warm and welcoming service is for families to celebrate Shabbat together in an informal, child-centered atmosphere. School-aged children and their families participate through prayer and song using the Gates of Prayer for Young People. The clergy engages families with a meaningful story. At the Oneg following the service, join in our popular Israeli dancing session and nosh on a variety of kid-friendly goodies.

For many of us, we have warm memories of experiencing Shabbat as children, and we hope to encourage similar memories in your children. This lively service, led by one of our clergy, typically lasts around 30 minutes and is created with our preschool-aged children in mind. Young ones and their parents are invited to join in Shabbat prayers and music, and sometimes a quick story. An Oneg follows.

Vegan smoked salmon (carrot lox) bagel with cream cheese, capers, and cucumber. Healthy food concept. Top view

In parallel to the main service with the b’nai mitzvah ceremony, this monthly alternative minyan provides an informal opportunity for members of all ages to read from the Torah, give a D’var Torah, and help lead the service – or simply pray and eat Shabbat lunch with members of our community! One of our clergy helps lead this service as well. A light vegetarian lunch is provided and all are encouraged to celebrate Shabbat in this intimate setting. To volunteer to participate in the service, contact Julie Kaplan, Clergy Assistant.

Gather with clergy for a reflective and healing end to Shabbat. Using the ritual of Havdalah, we will find inner calm through meditative readings, songs, poetry, and ritual. Enter the week ahead with a renewed sense of hope and healing. To attend, please register using the link on our calendar.