Frequently asked questions.

Common questions.

• Do you have a salaried rabbi? No — Bais Tefilah is member-led. Families lead davening, run kiddush, and organize kids' programming. We bring in qualified rabbis for halacha questions, focused learning, and special occasions like the High Holidays.
• How do you handle Shabbos with so few families? The same way any traditional community does, just smaller: members lead the davening, everyone pitches in for kiddush and Shalosh Seudos, and there's a kids' group every week. The shul and most homes are a short walk apart, so Shabbos afternoon tends to fill itself in.
• What ages of kids are in the community? All of them. We have a dedicated Ladies and Babies Lounge for the youngest kids, a kids' group that runs every Shabbos, and a Junior Gabbai program that gives bar-mitzvah-age kids a real role in davening.
• Is there a kids' group or teen program? Yes — kids' group runs every Shabbos. Once kids reach bar-mitzvah age, our Junior Gabbai program gives them an actual role in running services, not just a seat.
• What about high school for boys and girls? Mesivta of Las Vegas (boys) and Ateres (girls) are both in the broader valley, about a 20-22 minute drive from our neighborhood. Several families carpool.
• How does the community decide things? Bais Tefilah isn't run by outside staff — it's run by the families who live here. New families are expected to pitch in, not just attend.
• How much are membership dues? Membership is a monthly family contribution — you offer what you're able, and we're grateful for it. Reach out and we'll walk you through it.
• What's the kosher situation in Henderson? Manageable, once you know the pattern. Catering (including a Henderson-based sushi and kiddush caterer) covers Shabbos and events. Smith's Henderson and Trader Joe's handle day-to-day groceries, and Prime Nosh delivers kosher meat. Sit-down kosher restaurants cluster about 25 minutes away on the west side of the valley.
• Is there a mikvah within walking distance? Yes — the mikvah, the shul, and most members' homes are all within 5-10 minutes on foot, inside the neighborhood eruv.
• What's the closest day school? Yeshiva Day School of Las Vegas, about a 20-22 minute drive — the same drive as the two local high schools, so many families carpool together.
• How do you handle the High Holidays? We bring in a chazan and hold real, full services — no tickets, no membership required, no cost to attend. Kids' programming runs throughout.
• Are visitors welcome? Yes — best is to reach out first so we can set up a proper visit: a Shabbos meal, an introduction to a family, whatever fits.
• Is the eruv reliable? We maintain the neighborhood eruv ourselves. If you're visiting and need to rely on it for a specific Shabbos, reach out beforehand and we'll confirm current status.
• How do families typically get a Shabbos visit set up? Reach out through the Contact page or call/text us directly. We'll ask a little about your family and match you with a home for a meal — that first Shabbos is usually the best way to see if this is the right fit.