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Services

Our services and activities take place in our building, except for Tuesday afternoon services, which take place at the Siegel JCC.

Weekday Minyanim

AKSE invites men and women in the community to join us at weekday services. Currently we have two in-person services during the week. On Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., we meet in the Senior Lounge of the Siegel JCC (101 Garden of Eden Rd. in Wilmington) for Mincha. On Thursday morning at 9 a.m., we meet in our building for Shacharit and Torah reading. Please check the Shabbat newsletter for any deviations from this schedule.

Regardless of your level of familiarity with the prayer service, you are welcome and you will find yourself davening among friends. And you will perform an important mitzvah.

AKSE Shabbat Worship

The Friday evening service consists of Mincha, Kabbalat Shabbat, and Ma’ariv. We also occasionally host congregational Shabbat dinners, where we enjoy welcoming the Shabbat together with dinner and zemirot, following the service. The Shabbat morning service at AKSE follows the Orthodox davening structure. Our service begins at 9:00 a.m. with pesukei d’zimrah followed by Shacharit and the Torah service. We read the full parsha and haftorah. The Rabbi’s sermon follows the haftorah. We continue with Musaf and the concluding prayers. Everyone is encouraged to join in prayerful singing. Services usually conclude before noon — in time to adjourn to the social hall for a lovely kiddush prepared by our Sisterhood. Many congregants choose to sponsor a Shabbat kiddush to share a personal event with their AKSE family. The Shabbat kiddush affords the opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the Shabbat together. Shabbat afternoon Mincha, Ma’ariv and Havdalah conclude the Shabbat services. Please see the newsletter link for times.

Adults Learn to Read Hebrew

Eleanor Weinglass conducts this class Thursday mornings. The class, which is open to AKSE members and to the community, provides an opportunity for adults who have little or no knowledge of Hebrew to learn how to read the prayers and participate in Shabbat morning services. In addition to time spent learning to read, there is a discussion of prayer vocabulary and concepts so that participants will have an understanding of the meaning of the prayers.

Adults Learn to Chant Torah Trope

Karen Moss teaches the ancient technique of Torah cantillation — ta’amei hamikra or Torah trope — on Wednesday mornings.  Musical knowledge or ability is not required, but basic Hebrew reading capability is recommended. You can listen to a recording of  the cantillation of many of the trope notes by clicking on the audio file below. For a practice handout or further information, contact Karen at mossaz@verizon.net.