How to Attend Shabbat or Holiday Services at Temple Emanu-El

Updated

Temple Emanu-El, a Reform Jewish congregation in the Wiregrass region (dothantemple.org), welcomes members and guests to worship in person or via Zoom. Shabbat services are held Fridays at 7:00 pm and typically last one hour, followed by an oneg. High Holy Day services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur require no ticket. If you have questions about participating, contact the Temple office.

Shabbat Services

The Reform service combines a traditional Shabbat evening experience with the congregation's own spirituality.

  • When: Friday, 7:00 pm
  • Length: Typically one hour
  • Afterward: An oneg (a casual gathering after the service)
  • How to join: In person, or via Zoom

The site notes that members and guests may participate in person or via Zoom, and directs anyone with questions about how to participate to contact the Temple office. The site does not publish the Zoom link or dial-in details directly on the page, so the office is the practical route to get access before your first service.

Torah Study

Torah Study is described as one of the congregation's most popular learning opportunities, led by Rabbi Jonathan L. Jackson in a relaxed, inclusive conversation format.

  • When: Saturday, 11:00 AM

High Holy Days and Other Holidays

  • Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: Services are conducted every year, and no ticket is required.
  • Other holidays: The calendar is highlighted by Purim, Sukkot, and Hanukkah potlucks and services.

Because holiday events include potlucks, the format differs from a standard service — check the calendar or contact the office if you plan to attend a specific holiday and want to know what to expect or bring.

Before You Go: A Quick Checklist

  1. Confirm the time and format. Services are listed as Friday 7:00 pm (Shabbat) and Saturday 11:00 AM (Torah Study); verify against the full worship calendar in case of changes.
  2. Arrange Zoom access if you're attending remotely. Contact the Temple office for participation details.
  3. For High Holy Days, just come. No ticket is needed for Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur services.
  4. Plan to stay after Shabbat. The oneg follows the service and is part of the community experience members highlight in their testimonials.

Who This Is For

The congregation describes itself as warm and inclusive, exploring Judaism through worship, Adult Education, Religious School, social events, and cultural and religious gatherings. Visitors to the Wiregrass region, prospective members, and families looking for religious school programs are all addressed on the site. For anything beyond service times — membership, education, or lifecycle events — the Temple office is the point of contact.