Prayer Time Change Notice for the Shul Board

Need a prayer time change notice for the shul? Here is a ready-made gabbai notice to the congregation — perfect for the switch to winter or summer clock, an earlier Mincha, or any update to the davening schedule. Fill in the date, the new time and the reason — then copy it, print it for the notice board, or download it as a Word file.

בס״ד   Notice to the Congregation — Change of Prayer Times   Dear friends,   Starting [Date], [Prayer service] will take place at [Start time] (instead of [Previous time]). The reason for the change: [Reason].   All other prayer times remain unchanged. Please follow the updates on the notice board and in the congregation's WhatsApp group.   With thanks and blessings, The Gabbaim — [Synagogue name]

Fill in the details — the text updates automatically:

Illustration of a notice on a synagogue board with a large clock and a pink arrow marking a change in prayer times

How to announce a change in davening times — without anyone arriving at a locked door

A change in prayer times is the most sensitive notice on the shul board: a mitpallel who missed it will turn up at the old time — and find an empty beit midrash or a minyan already halfway through. So the first rule is publish early: the custom is to hang the notice about a week before the change takes effect, and add a reminder a day or two before. It is also worth announcing it after davening — on the Shabbat before the change you reach the widest audience — and posting it in the congregation’s WhatsApp group, so even those who weren’t there this week will know.

In the wording itself, make sure to state both the old time and the new one — “Mincha at 5:30 pm (instead of 6:15 pm)” is far clearer than “Mincha at 5:30 pm” alone, and it removes any doubt for someone who remembers the old time. Add the reason in a single sentence: the switch to winter clock, an earlier winter Mincha, or the Yamim Noraim schedule. A short reason signals order and saves the gabbaim repeated questions. If the change touches several tefillot — better to hang a full updated times board alongside, and keep the notice itself to one focused message.

Two more habits of experienced gabbaim: first, write from when the change applies — “starting Sunday, 3 Cheshvan” — and say whether it is a seasonal change or a one-off. Second, take the notice down once the change has sunk in, usually after a week or two, and replace the old times board with the new one — a board showing two contradicting times is more confusing than no notice at all. Sign in the name of the gabbaim and add a phone number for questions — it saves misunderstandings and shows respect for the kehilla.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should a prayer time change be announced?

About a week in advance, with a reminder a day or two before it takes effect. For fixed seasonal changes — like the switch to winter clock — it is fine and even better to publish two weeks ahead, because the congregation has been used to the old time for months.

Should the notice mention the previous time as well?

Yes, always. “At 5:30 pm (instead of 6:15 pm)” removes all doubt, makes it obvious this is a change, and prevents someone from reading the notice as a mere reminder of the existing time. That is the difference between a notice that registers and one that gets skipped.

When do shul prayer times usually change?

The common occasions: the switch to winter and summer clock (Israel changes its clocks twice a year), an earlier Mincha in winter when sunset is early, special tefillot for the chagim and the Yamim Noraim, and bein hazmanim schedules in communities tied to the yeshiva calendar.

Which channels should carry the change besides the notice board?

Three complementary channels: an announcement at the end of davening — especially on the Shabbat before the change, a message in the congregation’s WhatsApp group, and an update to the fixed times board at the entrance. Relying on one channel alone always misses part of the kehilla.

Who signs the notice, and who handles questions?

Routine notices are usually signed “The Gabbaim” or “The Synagogue Committee”, without a personal name. It is worth adding a “for inquiries” line with one gabbai’s name and phone number — one question answered on the phone saves ten questions at the door.

Key Takeaways

  • Publish about a week ahead, plus a reminder a day or two before the change
  • Always state both the previous time and the new time
  • Give the reason in one short sentence — clock change, seasonal Mincha, chagim
  • Three channels: the notice board, an announcement after davening, and WhatsApp
  • The template is free — quick fill-in, copy, print or download as Word

Related Templates

All synagogue templates →

And the digital way: with a digital notice board at the shul entrance, prayer times are updated from your phone in seconds — no reprinting the board at every season change, and every mitpallel always sees the right time.

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