Following up on the success of Out & About Sabbat, which are services held outdoors during the month of August, Congregation Beth-El of Massapequa announces the continuation of the joyous atmosphere with In & Around Sabbat services on Friday evening, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. Services are held in the round in the social hall, in a more intimate and warmer setting. The toe-tapping, hand-clapping melodies infuse all in attendance with the joy of the Sabbath. The public is welcome and invited to join us in worship. Congregation Beth-El serves all of southeast Nassau and southwest Suffolk Counties, and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. It is located at 99 Jerusalem Avenue in Massapequa. Please call 541-0740 for further information. Elegance will be the theme for a special social evening at Congregation Beth-El on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. There will be a blind tasting of five single-malt scotches or five world-class vodkas and five world-class chocolates. Hors d'oeuvres, crudités, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and desserts will also be served. The cost per person is $18.

Congregation Beth-El will be holding a Family Havdalah program, under the auspices of FX, on Saturday, Jan 20 at 4:30 p.m. Havdalah is the service that concludes the Sabbath, and means "separation." The service is a brief one, using the following ritual objects that affect all of the participants senses: a special braided candle to remind us of all light and warmth of the Sabbath; a spice box, filled with cloves, allspice and cinnamon, to remind us of the sweet smells of Sabbath cooking and to imbue us with a wonderful memory of the Sabbath; a cup of sacramental wine, to taste the sweetness of the Sabbath, just as we do when we begin the Sabbath; a concluding prayer to thank God for giving us the Sabbath and for distinguishing between the six ordinary days of the week and the special island of time called the Sabbath.

The Beth-El Youth Chorale will be participating, singing new melodies for this special service that they have learned. Havdalah will be preceded by afternoon worship where the Torah is read. It is followed by a light repast replete with singing. The brief evening service ensues, and Havdalah concludes the Sabbath. A post-Sabbath sing fest, called a "Melaveh Malkah," will continue after Havdalah. The entire community is invited to join in the festive atmosphere. The cost is only $2 per person.

Congregation Beth-El will be celebrating Tu Bishvat with a community Seder on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. Tu Bishvat, which means "the 15th of the month of Shvat," is the New Year for trees. Its early origins were to serve as a reminder to tithe one's first crops and send them to the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This minor holiday has taken on additional meaning, particularly in an era where responsibility for the environment is so very important. One tangible way to celebrate the holiday is to plant a tree is Israel.

Congregation Beth-El will be holding a Seder, the custom of which arose during the time of the Kabbalists (mystics). Various fruits and nuts are eaten, passages from the Bible and other literature are read, and songs and stories are shared. All are welcome to join in the celebration. The cost is only $2 per person.