Posted by simcha on December 16, 2004, at 16:16:08
In reply to I would like to visit a synagogue, posted by Miss Honeychurch on December 15, 2004, at 13:58:53
> I live across the street froma synagogue and have wanted to attend a service there for over a year now. I am Catholic but apprciate different religions and different ways in which others worship.
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> I am wondering what the protocol is? The synagogue is not orthodox or conservative. CAn I just show up at the appropriate time and take a seat? Will I be welcome? Or, do I need to talk to someone first before I go?
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> Preferably I would like to go with a Jewish friend, but none of them are religious and have no desire to accompany me.
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> Any advice?Read above and....
It's probably a Reform Synagogue.
You can tell people that you are not Jewish and curious. You might find that people will be very willing to sit next to you and help you through the prayer book, explain what they are doing, and invite you to the little tea party at the end called the "oneg."
Have fun! You can go alone. Most Jews in this country these days aren't very religious.
Simcha
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Message from above............Here's my advise, for what it's worth.
Make sure that it is NOT an Orthodox synagogue. If it is you will be put in a place that is different from where the men are and you will not really be able to experience the service. The Orthodox take the separation of men and women very seriously. It's a religious thing and they don't look at is as discrimination. They say that women distract them from their prayer. I translate it as that Orthodox men just have a hard time with sexual attraction and can't focus if that is going on at the same time.
If it is a Conservative Synagogue, you will be welcome. The service will most likely be mostly in Hebrew. This might fascinate you as it did me for the first time I experienced an entirely Hebrew Language service.
If it is a Reform Synagogue, you will be very welcome. Most of the service will most likely be in English. This is the most Liberal of the Jewish movements. This is the one I am most closely aligned to and yet I love Hebrew.
If it is a Reconstructionist Synagogue you will be very welcome. The entire service will be in Hebrew. Yet, you will notice in the translation in the prayer book, (sidur), that they have changed the Hebrew to be more Egalitarian and use Feminine Names for G-d and include women more.
The last three would be your best experiences.
Also, try to go to a Friday night Service. It's much shorter. There is usually more singing and this is the more popular service.
If you want an experience, to to a Saturday morning service. It lasts four hours or so. The beauty of it is incredible. This is where we read out of the Torah, and the Haftarah, our Sacred literature, in Hebrew. We also have more prayers going on so it lasts a very long time. Don't show up early. In fact, most Jews show up about 45 minutes to an hour into the service. They don't get to the "important" stuff that Jews must do on Saturday morning until then. All of the stuff that leads up to that is in preparation for the stuff that is compulsory. Also it is a very clever device that the Rabbi's instituted long ago. Jews tend to run on "Jewish Standard Time." So 9am service means showing up at 9:45ish or 10ish... ;-)
Have fun if you go.
If you find that the Synagogue across the street is Orthodox, you can find other synagogues of the various movements in your yellow pages under "churches" or even "synagogues."
Have Fun Exploring..
Simcha
(P.S.) I grew up Catholic and I was born Jewish. I decided to be Jewish 6 or 7 years ago when I didn't really believe in the Jesus thing. Also I felt right at home the first time I went into a synagogue. I felt one with my people.
poster:simcha
thread:429948
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20041120/msgs/430391.html