Emanuel Congregation

services

Emanuel Congregation offers traditional services on the morning of every Shabbat and the morning and evening of almost every Jewish Holy Day, in a lovely and intimate sanctuary with all-men and all-women sections (with mechitzot) in addition to a mixed seating section in-between. Morning services begin at 9:30 AM and are followed by Kiddush. Tickets are never required for any services.

Services follow Ashkenazic Orthodox liturgy. The complete annual cycle of weekly Torah and Haftarah readings are chanted by a reader with cantillations in standard Orthodox tradition. Members and guests deliver Shabbat Divrei Torah. Services are lay-led, sometimes with the assistance of Chazzan Boaz Pnini and Chazzan David Kenner, the synagogue's Cantors and Baalei Kriah.

Women's roles

Services at Emanuel are patterned after the "partnership minyan" model. Women as well as men may lead Kabbalat Shabbat, P'sukei D'zimrah, and the Shacharit Torah service, and read from the Torah, chant Haftarah, and receive aliyot to the Torah. Women as well as men are also invited to offer divrei Torah to the congregation. Here at Emanuel Congregation every Jewish adult, man or woman, counts toward a minyan.

The following is excerpted from young Seattleite David Basior's May 27, 2005 article in the Jewish Transcript, "Orthodox tradition in an unorthodox setting:"

Emanuel is a small Modern Orthodox synagogue with a progressive attitude. The lay-led Emanuel invites both those who walk and those who drive to shul into their community. This open attitude was confirmed in a conversation I had with congregation president Jay Wang. Jay told me that the synagogue is looking to grow and would love to have new, young members who are looking to take leadership positions. He is open to the shul going in new, different directions, though remains attached to the style of prayer, which defines Emanuel as a progressive yet Orthodox synagogue.

I first attended Emanuel at an early Friday night service in late April. They begin Kabbalat Shabbat at 6 p.m., despite the time change and later sundown times of spring and summer. I walked into the modest yet beautiful facade and into their foyer. Announcement flyers hung everywhere. I could tell this is a shul that cares about what is happening in the greater Jewish community in Seattle and sees itself as part of a larger entity.

Walking into the Orthodox sanctuary, I observed something unorthodox: an all-male section, an all-female section, and a mixed seating section. The 12 or so people already at the shul were mostly scattered in the mixed seating section, and that is where I found my seat. I was greeted by many warm waves and calls of "Good Shabbos."

Despite the traditional liturgy, the praying felt casual and flowing as we started with the Orthodox movement's Artscroll siddur (with English and Hebrew). I looked up and was amazed by a large skylight looming above the center of the small-but-open sanctuary. The skylight allowed for a connection to nature and the heavens - something I see as very important when attempting to converse with God.

Jay Wang read announcements from various Jewish organizations including other synagogues (some in different movements, even). I was truly impressed by this clear openness to all things Jewish in Seattle. Too many synagogues act as though their programming is the only Jewish programming in town, and Emanuel raises the bar in accepting and supporting other Jewish agencies. It was great to see a shul that acts as a part of the whole community. Yasher Koach!

I came back for a Shabbat morning service a week later and was impressed with a higher turnout and a more participatory crowd. I conversed with many members who were warm and welcoming to this new congregant. The service was easy to follow and it was clear that the idea of following along is valued and encouraged. Different members led the service at different parts showing off the community's number of learned congregants. Another member led the d'var Torah, which I found remarkably in touch, intellectual, and insightful.

The congregation is member-led and proud of it. This shul is a potential hidden gem for anyone looking to find a modest, open, traditional place of worship in a great neighborhood. Open to lifecycle events with outside rabbis, new leadership - both male and female - and committed to a traditional style of prayer, I believe Emanuel Congregation offers something unique inside Seattle's Jewish world. I invite you all to check out just what that is.

DUES(annual):

Family, $500

Individual, $400

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SCHEDULE: 2023/5783

UPDATE TO SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS

The Board of Governors decided that if you are fully vaccinated for Covid 19, you do not need to wear a mask. For adults not fully vaccinated, masks and isolation in either the men's or women's seating areas is absolutely obligatory. Children over the age of two should also mask up. Those not complying with these safety measures will be asked to leave. We do not want anyone getting sick.

The following presents the list of all Shabbatot and Yomim Tovim as available for 5783 with their respective parshiot. However, for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as the State-mandated restrictions regarding mask-wearing, social distancing and group size remain in force, we will only be holding Erev Shabbat (Friday evening) services which begin at 6:30 PM on the first and third Fridays of each month, providing minimal exposure by the brevity of this service.

To enable compliance with group size limitations, advance reservations will be required. Jane Joselow is the point of contact. Contact Jane Joselow by emailing Janeaj@hotmail.com.

As the local health situation improves and member commitment warrants, the Emanuel Congregation Board of Governors may authorize the resumption of Shabbat and Yom Tov morning services which would begin at 9:30 AM. Schedule changes will be communicated via the newsletter (e-mail) as well as updates to this web site.

July 22, Shabbos , 9:30 AM

Aug. 5, Shabbos, 9:30 AM - special kiddish for Amelia's 6th birthday

Aug. 19-Shabbos, 9:30 AM- special kiddish for Reeve's birthday.

Sept. 9 -Shabbos - 9:30 AM

Selichot - 10PM

Sept. 15, Friday, Erev Rosh HaShanah 7PM

Sept. 16, Shabbos Rosh HaShanah First Day 9:30 AM

Sept. 17 , Sunday - 2nd day Rosh HaShanah, 9:30 AM

Sept. 24 Sunday- Erev Yom Kippur - 6:15PM

Sept. 25 - Monday - Yom Kippur 9:30 AM

Sept. 29- Friday - Erev Succoth - 7PM

Sept. 30 -- Shabbos - first day Succoth

Oct. 1 -- Sunday, Second day Succoth, 9:30 AM

Oct. 7 - Shabbos Sh'mini Atzeres - (Yizkor) 9:30 AM

Erev Simchas Torah - 7 PM

Oct. 14 - Shabbos B'reishis - 9:30AM

Emanuel Congregation

3412 NE 65th St
Seattle, WA  98115
click for map

phone  206-525-1055

email  emanuel congregation

Original stained glass by Emanuel member Nancy Current