See our calendar for dates of upcoming services.
Shabbat Morning Services
We welcome visitors to our services.
Congregation Dorshei Tzedek meets every Shabbat morning for participatory services that blend traditional davvening (prayer) with lively singing, English readings, and discussions of the weekly Torah portion. We also hold occasional chanting and meditation services. Rabbi Toba Spitzer accompanies much of the service on guitar, and congregation members share in every aspect of leading the services.
We use the Reconstructionist siddur (prayerbook) Kol Haneshama, which features gender-neutral English translations, commentary and interpretations to make the traditional prayers more easily accessible, as well as supplementary readings by a wide variety of rabbis, writers, and others. All prayers recited by the entire congregation are transliterated so that people with little or no Hebrew background can participate fully.
For families with young and school-age children, we hold monthly Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation services. Dates are listed on the calendar.
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Saturdays, 8:45am
Each month before the Shabbat morning service, we will explore the parshat hashavua, the weekly Torah portion, through the lens of commentaries both traditional and contemporary.
No prior experience in Torah study is necessary. Bring your own caffeinated beverage!
with Rabbi Toba Spitzer
October 13, 2012
February 9, 2013
March 9, 2013
April 20, 2013
May 18, 2013
June 8, 2013
with Rabbi Adam Lavitt
November 17, 2012
December 15, 2012
January 12, 2013
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Special Shabbat Morning Guests
Saturdays, 9:45am
October 20, 2012
Shabbat Noah
With Hal Miller-Jacobs
Hal will lead us in an interactive biblio-drama during the Torah discussion, exploring the famous story of Noah and the flood.
Hal Miller-Jacobs is a storyteller who brings Torah to life through interactive biblio-drama. He says that his life work is making technology user-friendly, and he delights in doing the same for Torah and Tefillah. Presently Hal lectures in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Tufts University and holds a Ph.D in Experimental Psychology.
November 3, 2012
Shabbat VaYera
with Carl Woolf
Carl will infuse our usual Shabbat morning service with music, movement, and meditation.
Carl Woolf has studied Jewish Devotional Chanting with Rabbi Shefa Gold. His spiritual studies and practices include music-making, davening, meditation and movement. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and a M.Sc. in Computer Science. His ‘day-jobs’ have included teaching philosophy, developing software, and busking in Harvard Square.
November 10, 2012
Shabbat Chayeh Sarah
with Cindy Rivka Marshall and Laurie Goldman
CDT’s own Cindy Rivka Marshall and Laurie Goldman are pairing up for a dramatic reading of the Torah portion in both Hebrew and English translation. During the Torah discussion, Cindy will engage congregants in
a midrashic dialogue to explore the story of Rebecca agreeing to go marry Isaac.
Cindy Rivka Marshall appears at synagogues, schools and conferences, offering folktales, midrashic stories and story-telling workshops for all ages. She was an invited presenter at Limmud UK in 2012. She works as a consultant to synagogues with Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Her work was recently published in the book, “Mitzvah Stories.”
November 17, 2012
Shabbat Toldot
with Roberta Isberg & Yocheved (Sheila) Katz
Roberta and Yocheved will lead a contemplative service that combines meditation, chanting, and yoga with prayer and Torah study.
Roberta Isberg and Yocheved (Sheila) Katz guide meditation retreats at venues including Nishmat Chayyim, the Jewish meditation collaborative of New England. Roberta practices psychiatry and has a longstanding interest in the use of meditation in medicine and psychotherapy. Yocheved is a professor of Middle East History and Contemplative Studies at the Berklee College of Music where she integrates meditation in her courses and scholarship on music, conflict resolution, and contemplative practice.
December 1, 2012
Shabbat VaYishlach
with Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Rabbi Shawn will lead a musical Shabbat morning service, highlighting his own music and music of the Reconstructionist movement. During the Torah service, he will lead us in an exploration of Parshat Vayishlach, with a special focus on relationships between men and being a male and Jewish in Western culture, drawn from his years helping lead the annual Jewish men’s retreat and his and Harry Brod’s new book, Brother Keepers: New Essays on Jewish Masculinity.
Rabbi Zevit serves in numerous venues as a spiritual leader, teacher, author, and congregational, organizational and social justice consultant. He is also a recording artist and a leader in Jewish Men’s work, co -director of DLTI and a spiritual director for clergy of all faiths. Rabbi Zevit served the Reconstructionist movement in a leadership capacity for fourteen years, developing many resources for congregations.
December 8, 2012
Shabbat VaYeshev
with Cantor Louise Treitman
Louise will lead us during the Shacharit part of our Shabbat morning service and offer us a musical and spiritual D’var Torah, exploring the history and meaning of the music for Shabbat morning services. Come experience her beautiful voice and presence!
Louise Treitman is Cantor Emeritus of Temple Beth David in Westwood, MA, and serves as the Associate Dean of the School of Jewish Music at Hebrew College.
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Friday Evening Programs
Family Erev Shabbat Services
Once a month (usually on the first Friday of the month, but check our calendar), we gather for a potluck vegetarian dinner, beginning with candle lighting at 6 pm, followed by a musical, all-ages erev Shabbat service at 6:45 pm. Storytellers needed: If you would like to tell a story at one of these services, please call Rabbi Spitzer at 617-965-0330.
Erev Shabbat Services
Special Erev Shabbat services that are more adult-oriented, often on a particular theme, are held from time to time.
You can find times for candle lighting each week here: Candle Lighting Schedule