Worship and Ritual
Worship
Welcome to the ritual life of the United Jewish Center, a member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ).
Our Shabbat evening services (Fridays at 7 pm) provide inspiring and warm experiences, including congregational singing, music, prayer and thoughtful divrei Torah or Torah study discussions.
Our monthly Family services (usually on the 3rd Friday of each month at 7 pm) are literally that: for our families and friends of all ages. Cantor Kessler offers birthday blessings, and our kids and grownups enjoy the warmth and love of Shabbat.
The UJC Choir participates in our services each month.
Shabbat morning (Saturdays at 10 am) are equally warm and more traditional in nature. Our Shabbat morning experiences include congregational singing and prayers, a devar Torah or Torah study, chanting the weekly Torah portion (seven aliyot plus maftir) and the Haftarah.
We welcome individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. We encourage all members and our friends in the community to join us. Members, including our children, are encouraged and welcome to help lead and participate in the ritual experience. This includes providing assistance in leading of worship and prayers, accepting aliyot and honors, delivering a devar Torah prepared with guidance from Cantor Kessler, and chanting Torah and Haftarah.
At the UJC, we follow the Reform calendar and thereby observe festivals with an evening service for Passover on the seventh day and evening services for Sukkot and Shavuot. Yizkor services are included during the evening services for the 7th day of Passover, and the evenings of Simchat Torah and Shavuot, and the morning of Yom Kippur.
The High Holy Days services are held each year in our Malino Sanctuary. On the late afternoon of the first Day of Rosh Hashanah, we also gather for a very beautiful and meaningful outdoor Tashlich service and congregational dairy potluck at Bennett Park in Bethel, CT.
The Ritual Committee
The Ritual Committee works closely with Senior Clergy Cantor Kessler to continuously strive to enhance our ritual, worship and spiritual experiences at the UJC. For more information, please contact the UJC's Ritual Committee Chair, Leslie Siegel.
Wed, March 22 2023
29 Adar 5783
UJC Religious School
Wednesday, March 22
4:30-6:15
Hebrew School for grades 6 & 7
Sunday, March 26
9am-12pm - School for all Grades
Cantor Kessler's 2022 High Holy Day Sermons
Click here to read Cantor Kessler's 2022 High Holy Day sermons.
Cantor Kessler's 2021 High Holy Day Sermons
Click here to read Cantor Kessler's High Holy Day sermons.
UJC Podcast Series
UJC Event Videos
Rabbi Felicia Sol & Prof. Adam Sol: "The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman - Poetry, Exegesis, and Imagining a Better World.
https://youtu.be/vp_tPfz9_MI
Judith Altmann: Stories of a Holocaust Survivor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Three Amigos: Our Abraham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The UJC Shabbat Services are now in person (and online)!
For log-in information, check your UJC emails or email office@unitedjewishcenter.org for more information.
Join Our Mailing List
UJC COVID-19 Update February 2023
The United Jewish Center building is OPEN! Services are being held Friday nights at 7pm and Saturday mornings at 10:00 am in person and online. Congregation members should check their email for online access instructions.
Following CDC guidelines, please use your discretion about wearing masks and social distancing.
PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE at (203) 748-3355 or email office@unitedjewishcenter.org if you have any questions or need assistance.
Today's Calendar
UJC Religious School 6th and 7th grades : 4:30pm |
Friday Night
Candle Lighting : 6:52pm |
UJC Brotherhood Shabbat Evening Service - In-person and Virtual : 7:00pm |
Shabbat Day
UJC Shabbat Morning Service-virtual and in person : 10:00am |
Havdalah : 8:01pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Mar 26 Gary Jones-Anti-Semitism on the Rise- What can we do? Sunday, Mar 26 1:00pm |
Mar 30 Women's Seder Thursday, Mar 30 6:30am |
Apr 6 OFFICE CLOSED Thursday, Apr 6 |
Apr 12 OFFICE CLOSED Wednesday, Apr 12 |
Apr 21 UJC Family Service Friday, Apr 21 7:00pm |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Vayikra
Shabbat, Mar 25 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Mar 24, 6:52pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Mar 25, 8:01pm |
Erev Passover
Wednesday, Apr 5 |