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, Allyson Story.