Preserve the memory of your loved one with a plaque on our Yahrzeit Wall. Learn More ->

Search
Close this search box.

Friday Evening

Friday night is a festive occasion—a time to slow down, eat well, sing, and engage deeply with one another. Traditionally, we welcome the Sabbath bride by lighting candles, reciting Kiddush, and saying a blessing over challah. We bless the children among us and some of us turn to bless each other. We sing a song to welcome angels and welcome guests to our table. Some people find Shabbat peace in simply joining together to watch a movie or play a game. As we gather with loved ones or take time for ourselves, Friday night offers us the opportunity to look back on the week that has passed. We begin to slow down and unwind as we open to the peace of Shabbat.
 

Latest Rituals

“as a world / as a house, a tree / exploding with birds”
black woman with frizzy blonde hair and wing-like black cape with arms spread in field of sunflowers eyes closed
The grace of a dedicated separation between the mundane and the sacred
frantisek-duris-u0VSnGKNm08-unsplash

“As Shabbat begins, / May Adonai revive our ability to feel”

IMG_1311

Bringing mindfulness to the act of welcoming guests through a chant and series of ritual intentions

a person is setting a table

Uplifting song for Shabbat with video

Family_meal_istock

“God re-nefeshes Godself”

ben-dutton-8bsvwFWVcvE-unsplash

“Before creation, music played”

aditya-saxena-_mIXHvl_wzA-unsplash-1

“In the flickering light, You beckon me.”

 
iStock-901526798

Candle lighting blessings for a sabbatical year

d-o-m-i-n-i-k-j-p-w-ygCOdo61k3E-unsplash

“May the light of the Shabbat candles cause us all to see each other as part of our shared community”

shabbat-dinner-holding-hands-2

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.

The Reconstructionist Network