With the merger of conservative and reform congregations, it was inevitable that Beth Israel-Judea would create its own unique minhag, or custom, for its observance of our holy traditions. This is especially true of our worship services.
Depending on your background, you may find more or less Hebrew in the prayers of our services. You may hear more or less accompanied music. And you may find familiar and unfamiliar prayers, or sit or stand at different places. But we think you will find our services spiritual and meaningful, and accessible to young and old as well as to persons with varying backgrounds, Jewish or not.
Our services strive to create a holy space that can encourage kavannah, or mindfulness of prayer. Very important to the congregation is beautiful music and our services feature both composed tunes and chanted nusach.
For Shabbat, the congregation uses mostly home-grown siddurim, or prayerbooks, that feature Hebrew, English transliterations, English translations and meaningful additions. On the High Holidays, the Hear Our Prayer Machzor is used, which was written/edited by Rabbi Herbert Morris ZT"L. Prayerbooks from the conservative and reform movements are also used, depending on the holiday and occasion; Congregation Beth Israel-Judea was involved in testing versions of the forthcoming Reform Mishkah T'filah Siddur.
Of course, families and children often participate in services as do many other groups, including women, teens and our veterans.