Streaming Services: Bringing Jews Together Across the Divide
August 8, 2012 
8 Comments
Whether writing a d’var on a Torah portion, looking for guidance on Jewish ceremonies, studying Hebrew, or seeking a community in which they will receive a warm welcome, Jews and those who wish to learn about Judaism turn first to the Internet, where all the world’s resources are available with a few keystrokes.
A number of factors may keep individuals from attending on-site Shabbat services – temporary or long-term illness, disability, location. Enter streaming video, which allows home-bound Jews to tune into services even when they can’t make it to a synagogue to do so in person. For members of the military, people with disabilities, and Jews in remote areas, streaming services can provide instant access to a Jewish community they cannot otherwise reach.
If you’re seeking an online Jewish community, whether for one night or on an ongoing basis, check out the following congregations, who offer streaming services online on an individual basis. Does your congregation offer streaming services? Let us know in the comments so we can add you to the list!
- Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria, VA
Services are at 7:30 pm EST (except for summer, when they’re at 6:30).
- Central Synagogue of Nassau Countyin Rockville Center, N.Y.
Shabbat evening services (7:45 PM EST/EDT) and Shabbat morning services (10:45 AM EST/EDT) are streamed live weekly from Central Synagogue of Nassau County.
- Central Synagogue in New York City
Central Synagogue streams most of their services live. Check their schedule for the next service.
- Stephen Wise Free Synagoguein New York City
On Friday nights at 6pm, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue streams their services live.
- Temple Beth Elin Spring Valley, N.Y.
Friday night services start at 8 PM Eastern Time and are telecast live. B’nai Mitzvah are telecast live upon request of the celebrant.
- Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana, CA
Streams Friday night services at 7:30 PM PST, Saturday morning services at 10:30 AM PST, and High Holy Day services.
- Temple Emanu-Elin Birmingham, AL
Everything that takes place in Temple Emanu-El’s sanctuary – Shabbat services, funerals, weddings, lectures, and concerts – is streamed live on their website.
- Temple Emanu-Elin New York City
Fridays at 6:00 PM EST/EDT and Saturdays at 10:30 AM EST/EDT, Temple Emanu-El streams their services live and broadcasts them on their internet radio station.
- Temple Israel of Greater Miami in Miami, FL
Every Friday night from 7-8:30 PM EST/EDT, Temple Israel of Greater Miami streams their services live. Archived services can be found here.
- Temple Israel in Memphis, TN
Friday evenings at 6:15 PM CST/CDT, Temple Israel streams their services live. Select High Holy Day services are streamed as well.
My congregation, B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohimin Deerfield, Ilinois, streams Erev Shabbat services, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and most other holidays. Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:30 PM, CDT/CST
Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA streams all of its services including High Holy Day Services. Click on the quick link on our website to go to a live service or our archives. Live services can also be viewed on an Apple device.
Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim in Los Angeles streams weekly Shabbat services online at http://www.bcc-la.org/bcc-live/
Recently, Bracha Yael, our BCC live chair person, wrote a blog post about how live streaming enriches the life tempel members.
Temple Sinai in Atlanta streams every service- Shabbat (erev and day), High Holy Days and every Holy Day service, lifecycle events, and educational programs. I can support the comments made above that it is very well received by our membership; it is also a useful tool for prospective members to develop a familiarity with our community.
The Community Synagogue in Port Washington, NY streams our weekly Erev Shabbat service at 8 p.m. from our Main Sanctuary or 6:30 p.m. on the second Friday of every month (our Second Shabbes Family Service) as well as all of our High Holiday services online at http://www.commsyn.org.
Beware that streaming worship services requires a copyright license (live worship services are exempt, but any webcast must be licensed if you are using copyrighted music). For example, Debbie Friedman’s music is licensed by ASCAP.
Temple Shalom, just outside DC, streams Shabbat and Holy Day services live as part of 24-hour-a-day internet radio station. The station plays an eclectic mix of Jewish music, informational and cultural programming when it is not broadcasting services.
http://www.jWASH.net
JWASH.net is accessible in a number of places on the web, including its own url, as well as through a link on Temple Shalom’s website. Smartphone and tablet users can access the station (and the temple’s services) without fuss with such popular apps as LIVE365 or TuneInRadio (both of which make thousands of global radio stations available in one place). JWASH.net is easily found by browsing each app’s Jewish genre list or by typing in http://www.jwash.net.
One great thing about streaming radio is that it is safely used while driving. Newer cars often come equipped with bluetooth or USB connections. Listeners can tune in and listen just as they would to a traditional over-the-station. Just the antidote to a miserable Friday evening traffic jam!
i have been listening to Daily Shacharit Mincha/Maariv services that are broadcast from a brick and mortar synagogue in Winnipeg Manitoba CANADA. The synagogue is Congregation Shaarey Zedek, it is a Conservative shul, they have audio broadcasts not video. They broadcast at 7:30am and 6pm Central time on Monday-Thursdays. Friday at 7:30am and 5:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 9am and 6pm. Please remember they broadcast on Central time zone.The player works very well and starts automatically, no need to click on it. The siddurim used for Shabbat is Siddur Hadash i have the 2008 printing, and for daily minyan services they use Siddur Sim Shalom, i have the December 2010 printing so i can follow along with the services. Of course you can just listen and daven too
The link is as follows:
http://www.shaareyzedek.mb.ca/service/serviceslive/liveservice.htm