The Conservative Movement's Resources on Shabbat Observance

For USCJ Book Service, see our web site.

I. General

• Artson, Bradley Shavit. It's A Mitzvah!!, Behrman House/Rabbinical Assembly, 1995. Chapter 12 (pp. 130-147) deals with observing Shabbat and provides a number of practical suggestions to enhance Shabbat observance: Friday evening through Saturday havdalah. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Committee on Commitment and Observance. Friday Night Home Shabbat Program, USCJ, 1983. Program flyer explaining the concept, and booklet with table service. Flyer provides direction for promoting a program of home observance among congregants of the Friday night Shabbat ritual, including list of resources. (Available from the USCJ Department of Education)
• Congregation Har Shalom. Discover Shabbat (a Resource Kit). A stylish package of materials set into a folder. Includes: a booklet adapted from "Seder Shabbat: A Guide to Shabbat Observance" a publication of the Leadership Training Fellowship and sponsored by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. This booklet includes explanations, instructions and prayers and songs for the entire Sabbath day ritual. Kit also includes various publicity and packaging material. (Available after November 15, 1997 from Congregation Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854. Cost is $25.)
• Department of Radio and Television, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. An Oasis in Time. A 1 hour video. Through diaries, journals, and personal reminiscences, Jews from many periods and places describe what the Sabbath has meant in their lives. Primarily, the program tells how Jews today continue the age-old effort to make the weekly day of rest a religious experience.
• Dresner, Samuel H.. The Sabbath, Burning Bush Press, 1970. Traces the historical development and the spiritual impact of the Sabbath. After laying a philosophical and historical base, the author outlines a program of observance for those who wish to begin or increase their observances. Notes and index. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Garfinkle, Stephen. Slow Down and Live: A Guide to Shabbat Observance and Enjoyment, United Synagogue Dept. of Youth Activities, 1982. A looseleaf notebook of chapters written by different authors. Topics include: Themes and Concepts -- Rest and Delight, Sabbath Spirit and Sabbath Law; Sources and Resources -- Remember and Observe; Programs and Projects -- Shabbat Stories, Games/Activities, Shabbat Enhancement Committee (excerpts based on reports and proposals); Ritual and Practice -- A Practical Guide, Symbols and Ceremonies, and Shabbat Home Ritual Songsheet. Teacher's guide also available. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Greenberg, Sidney. A Treasury of Shabbat Inspiration, USCJ Commission on Jewish Education, 1995. (Available from the USCJ Book Service) An anthology of sources rich in wisdom which can be used for meditation and/or discussion. The material covers a broad spectrum of Jewish thought, expressing the joy and meaningfulness of Shabbat. It contains much personal testimony of well known and not so known contemporary people. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Heschel, Abraham Joshua. The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man, Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, Inc., 1951. An inspiring book that elucidates the majesty and sacredness of the seventh day of the week.
• Klein, Isaac. A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1979. Provides a more detailed discussion of the "do's and don'ts" for Shabbat observance, including both home and synagogue rituals (pp. 53-94). (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Millgram, Abraham E.. Sabbath: The Day of Delight, The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1952. An anthology providing a wealth of material about the Sabbath. Material for the home observance of Shabbat includes music for the zÆmirot in addition to the other traditional elements of Friday night, Saturday and havdalah ritual. Also included are stories and poems for children, an historical essay on Sabbath observance in the synagogue, Sabbath humor, excerpts about Shabbat from all periods and genres of Jewish literature (Biblical to modern), and essays on Shabbat observance in history and in unusual places around the world.
• Pomerantz, Kay. Come for Cholent, Bloch Publishing, 1991. Over 60 recipes provide variations on traditional cholent. Included are recipes for Greek, Italian, Israeli, and Oriental cholent in addition to stories of cholent making throughout our history. Also available: Come for Cholent ... Again, 1994. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Rabbinical Assembly of Nassau Suffolk Region Conservative Rabbis of Long Island, Shabbat, (Circulating Library of USCJ.)
• Shiovitz, Jeffrey. B'kol Echad, United Synagogue Youth, 1990. Includes Shabbat and Holiday blessings, z'mirot, Hebrew songs, Grace after Meals, songs of Israel. Perfect for Sabbath meal singing. (USCJ Book Service) Also available: Shirei B'kol Echad. (2 Audiocassettes) A companion to B'kol Echad, the book. Cantor Shiovitz sings zÆmirot, Hebrew songs and blessings (including the entire birkat hamazon) so that those who do not know the melodies can learn them. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• USCJ Program Department, Jewish Living Now: Making the Most of Shabbat. Includes an outline of the Friday night ritual as well as elements of the rest of the day.
• USCJ Program Department. Jewish Living Now: Shabbat Family Activities. Lists activities for the family on Shabbat.
• Wolfson, Ron. The Art of Jewish Living: The Shabbat Seder, Jewish Lights Publishing,1985. Outlines the entire home ritual for Erev Shabbat -- Friday evening. For each element of the evening, the book provides personal experiences of a variety of families that celebrate Shabbat, a detailed description of how the ritual is performed with Hebrew, English and transliteration, and explanations of the meaning and significance of the ritual. Also included are practical questions and answers for each ritual dealing with real issues that a family might encounter when they first set out to "make Shabbos" on Friday night. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Wolfson, Ron. Jewish Living Now: Making Shabbat, USCJ. A short version of Dr. Wolfson's longer work includes ideas and material for home ritual as well as learner's minyan and synagogue observance. (Available from the USCJ Program Department)

II. Synagogue Skills and Prayer Enrichment

• Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs. A Guide to the Shabbat Morning Torah Service. A video with open captioning and audio descriptions that is designed to familiarize people with all aspects of the Torah Service. Shows and explains how to open the Ark, how and when to recite Torah blessings, where to stand, how to lift and dress the Torah, etc. Includes User's Guide, Glossary and Torah Blessings card.
• Hammer, Reuven. Entering Jewish Prayer: A Gui de to Personal Devotion and the Worship Service, Schocken Books, 1994. An inspirational commentary on the siddur combined with a description of the history of Jewish prayer, the synagogue and the siddur. (Available from the USCJBook Service)
• Keniaz, Shelley. The Learners Minyan: Just Do It!, USCJ. A guide for establishing a learners minyan. Includes a bibliography of resources and sample materials. (Available from the USCJ Program Department)
• Millgram, Abraham. Jewish Worship, The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1971. Provides a discussion of the development and significance of the structure of each service and the individual prayers.
• Wachs, Saul P.. Shimu Ve'Ranenu : Tapes for Teaching Nusah HaTefillah Set of 13 cassette tapes (26 sides) clearly enunciating the words and nusah (traditional chant) for various synagogue services. The tapes are intended to prepare adults or youngsters to lead the synagogue service. Tapes 3 to 6 include introduction to Nusah, the Shabbat service, z'mirot, and havdalah. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)

III. For Families with Young Children

• Dapim Lamishpahah: Pages for Sharing with the Family. Packet includes material for Shabbat activities for families with young children. (Available from the USCJ Department of Education)
• Feinberg, Miriam P.. Just Enough Room, USCJ Commission on Jewish Education, 1991. A storybook for nursery school children that tells the joys of Shabbat and hakhnasat orhim (inviting Sabbath guests). (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Miller, Lyndall. Seeking Shabbat Delight: A Program for Shabbat Morning Services for Young Children, USCJ Commission on Jewish Education, 1991. A manual to guide the experienced or inexperienced leader through a "Tot Shabbat" service. It includes an explanation of each prayer and suggested activities designed to communicate the ideas and emotions contained in the prayers while engaging the children's mind, body and heart. Also available: A Young Children's Shabbat Siddur, and Seeking Shabbat Delight, an audiocassette presenting the songs suggested in the manual as sung by Saralee Shrell-Fox. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)
• Miller, Lyndall. Shabbat Shalom: Young Children and Their Parents Celebrating Together on Friday Night, USCJ Commission on Jewish Education. A family guide providing suggestions and ideas for exploring and enjoying Shabbat preparation and rituals. Included are: Shabbat table decorations, a suggested schedule for Shabbat preparation, ideas for inviting guests and giving tzedakah (before Shabbat), order of the ritual, Shabbat table activities, recipes, and resources for the family. (Available from the USCJ Department of Education)
• Silberman, Shoshana. Siddur Shema Yisrael, USCJ Commission on Jewish Education, 1996. A siddur and a sourcebook for students and families. It includes a section on Shabbat preparation and the home table service. Also features questions for discussion, as well as stories and thoughts to enrich the text and aid in kavanah. For children ages 8 through 13, junior congregations and family services. Gender-free translations. (Available from the USCJ Book Service)

IV. Articles

• Fingerman, Jeremy. "Can it Be Done as a Single?" United Synagogue Review, Fall 1990. Discusses observance of Jewish rituals generally, including Shabbat, as an unmarried adult.
• Goldrich, Lois. "Making Shabbat Regardless." United Synagogue Review, Spring 1990. Discusses making Shabbat while on vacation.
• Timely Program Ideas, Vol. 1 No. 4, May 1995. "Shabbat at Home." Program ideas for Shabbat hospitality for Friday night. (USCJ Program Department)
• Timely Program Ideas, Vol. 2, No. 2, April 1996. "Keeping Shabbat." Program ideas for the rest of Shabbat. (USCJ Program Department)

V. Computer Programs

• JCAL - THE JEWISH CALENDAR PROGRAM. A program that calculates dates of the Jewish calendar and allows comparison with the Gregorian calendar. Includes candle lighting times, Torah and Haftara readings. Distributed as Shareware.
• ZMANIM. A windows-based program that calculates dates of the Jewish calendar and allows comparison with the Gregorian calendar. Includes candle lighting times, Torah and Haftara readings. Distributed by Davka Software