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Congregation Shearith Israel

The Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue America's First Jewish Congregation Bem vindo ao lar Bienvenido a casa ברוכים הבאים הביתה The Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue
Congregation Shearith Israel, Sanctuary

At the Synagogue

This Week's Prayer Schedule

March 17 - March 23

Prayer Times

Shabbat and Holiday Handouts

Explore our weekly Shabbat handouts. 

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Potter and Pesah

Sunday, April 7, 5:30PM

What does the most famous boy wizard in the world have in common with the Exodus story? Come find out from Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg...

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Pre-Pesah Packathon

Tuesday, April 9, 7:00PM

This year, in addition to our interfaith Thanksgiving Pack-a-thon, we are organizing a Pre-Pesah Pack-a-thon in collaboration with...

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Mitzvot Workshop with Zachary Edinger

Sunday, April 14, 10:00AM

On select Sundays, our shamash, Zachary Edinger, will lead our students & youth in an interactive and educational...

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Welcome to Congregation Shearith Israel, America's first Jewish congregation, founded in 1654 by 23 Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent.  Today, Jews of all backgrounds make up our welcoming, traditional community. Explore this site, and then visit the synagogue to experience the beauty and vitality of this Jewish and American treasure.

Pesah 5779

Celebrate Pesah 5778 at Shearith Israel. Learn about our special traditions, sell your Hametz, and more.

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Year of Years

In honor of our momentous 365th Anniversary, our Year of Years, a full array of celebratory programs and activities has been filling our calendar.

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Toddler Summer Camp

For children aged 16-34 months.

Includes outdoor play and a wading pool. Adult caregiver presence is required.  

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Prayer Schedule

Weekday Services March 17 - 19, 2019

  • Morning Services [Shahrit]

    Sunday 8:00am
    Monday & Tuesday 7:15am
     
    Evening Services
    Sunday- Tuesday [Minhah & Arbit] 6:30pm

Fast of Esther/Eve of Purim 5779

  • Wednesday, Fast of Esther Morning

    Dawn (Fast Begins) 5:38am
    Sunrise 7:00am
    Morning Service [Shahrit] 7:15am
     
    Fast Day Evening/Eve of Purim
    Minhah [men wear tefillin] 6:30pm
    Sunset 7:08pm
    Arbit [Evening] Service 7:00pm
    Reading of Megillah 7:15pm
    End of Fast 7:30pm
    Late Reading of Megillah 9:00pm
     
    The Fast of Esther commemorates the day when the Jews of Persia donned sackcloth and ashes, went without food, and prayed that they be spared the massacre planned for them by Haman. Men don tefillin at the 6:45 service on Wednesday Evening.

Purim 5779 Daytime, March 21, 2019

  • Thursday Morning

    Shahrit Service 7:15am
    Morning Reading of Megillah 8:00am
    Women's Concurrent Megillah Reading 8:00am
    Late Morning Reading of Megillah 11:00am
     
    Thursday Evening
    Purim Minhah & Arbit Services 6:30pm
    Sunset 7:09pm
    End of Purim Day 7:31pm
     
    Purim commemorates the day when, through the intervention of Mordecai and Queen Esther, the Jews of Persia narrowly escaped being victims of Haman's evil plot to exterminate them. Instead, "The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor."

Purim Shushan 5779

  • Friday Morning, March 22

    Shahrit Service 7:15 am
    (regular weekday services)
     
    Purim Shushan, the day following Purim, was the actual day of celebration observed in Shushan, the capital of ancient Persia, and is the day Purim is observed in Jerusalem.

Shabbat Services March 22 - 23, 2019

  • Friday Eve

    Candle Lighting 6:52pm
    Services 6:30pm
     
    Saturday Morning
    Morning Services 8:15 - 11:45am
    Torah Reading: Tsav
     
    Saturday Evening
    Seuda Shelishit & Class 5:45pm
    Minhah & Arbit 6:45pm
    Sunset 7:11pm
    Habdalah 7:46pm