Moments ago, I was informed that Rivkah Galperin gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  Congratulations to Rivkah and Rabbi Galperin.

Because of the timing, Rabbi Galperin will not be available for services this shabbat. 

Update:  The baby has been named Chava Devora. 

Did you know that this website gets hundreds of visitors each week - often more than one hundred in a single day!  While many come from regions outside ours, a surprising number come from our own community.

I'd like to explore the possibility of allowing a limited number of tastefully designed and board-approved banner or text ads to appear on this website, in exchange for charitable donations to our shul.  The ads would appear on the right side of the screen, prominently placed near the top of the column so advertisers would get their message delivered.  To facilitate this process, I'm in the process of creating a new form (which will be accessible from a yet-to-be added menu item) to solicit ad submissions.

The rabbi and board of directors of the synagogue have already expressed interest in this idea, but I'd like to hear from you as well.  Please answer the poll question to provide your opinion.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

This page of our website gets many visitors from around the world looking for Candle Lighting Times.  For those seeking times for Windsor, Ontario, you will find them conveniently listed below.

For others, please use this calculator to find times for your area.

Year 5770 - Shabbat Candle Lighting Times for Windsor, Ontario

Candle Lighting: 18 mins. before Shkiah | All times local

Note: Shabbat begins minutes before sunset.  Shabbat ends astronomical calculation minutes after sunset

*IMPORTANT: Times noted with an (*) indicate that Daylight Saving Time is in effect in this area.  The listings have been adjusted accordingly.

Blessings and Instructions for Shabbat Candles

Lighting Shabbat candles on Friday as evening approaches delineates the beginning of Shabbat. Tradition teaches us that we are partners with God.  Candle lighting is a sacred deed which allows us to symbolically participate in the act of creation: "Let there be light."  Traditionally, two candles are lit, representing the two times that the fourth Commandment is cited in the Torah: "Remember – Zachor" (Ex. 20:8)/Observe – Shamor" (Dt. 5:12) the Sabbath Day."

Shabbat candles serve at least two purposes: (shalom bayit -- harmony in the home), for they provide light and a "candle light" atmosphere for the Friday night meal, and ( oneg Shabbat -- the joy of Shabbat), as they symbolize the light and gladness that Shabbat provides for us.  In order to fulfill both purposes, the candles should be lit at the place where the meal will be eaten.

To prepare for candle lighting, look up the correct candle-lighting time above, or obtain a calendar with Jewish information from a local organization.  Candles are lit between a half hour and 15 minutes before sunset with many authorities holding that the proper time is at least 18 minutes before.  Choose a place for the candles to stay throughout Shabbat.  Set your candles in the candlesticks and have a match and matchbook set beside them.  Finally, at candle-lighting time, assemble the family.

The order for lighting candles at the beginning of Shabbat is unique.  Normally a brakhah is said immediately before doing a mitzvah, fulfilling a commandment, and the mitzvah follows without interruption after the brakhah.  Since Shabbat starts once we say the brakhah, we cannot light the candles after saying the brakhah.  We solve this problem by performing this mitzvah in the following order:

• 1. Light the Shabbat candles.  Every Jew is obligated to light candles; when both man and woman are present, traditionally the woman has lit them for all who are present because this is one of the mitzvot traditionally assigned to women.
• 2. Many follow the custom of drawing their hands to their faces three times in a circular motion, beckoning Shabbat to enter.

• 3. After the third circle, the person saying the brakhah closes her/his eyes and/or shields the eyes with the hands and says the brakhah.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.

Praised are You, Adonai our God, Who rules the universe, instilling in us the holiness of mitzvot by commanding us to kindle the light of Shabbat.

• 4. After the brakhah, the eyes are uncovered, and the person who has made the brakhah then looks at what are now the lit Shabbat candles for the first time.  Personal prayers of thanks may be silently added after the brakhah.  It is customary for everyone to wish each other "Shabbat Shalom."