Question about Jewish Services?

Question

I have been invited by a friend to attend services at a Reform Temple on Saturday and I was wondering what to expect. I have never been a part of a service before. I was just wondering what's going to happen and if there are any etiquette things i should know.

Answer 1

Great question! I happen to be Reform so I can answer. It is likely that the rabbi will explain what's going on anyway (my guess is that you're going to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah). However--when you look at the prayerbook, anything which is italicized or indented is generally read by the congregation; anything else is read by the rabbi, cantor, etc. You will probably see two people up on the bimah (the dais)--the rabbi and the cantor, who leads the congregation in music. As far as etiquette, you are of course not required to participate in any of the prayers, hymns/songs, etc. unless you want to. If there are yarmulkes at the front door (the small caps which many Jews wear) feel free to put one on or not as you see fit. There will probably be a rack of tallit (prayer shawls) that you may see men and women wearing--you don't have to put one on. Finally, at various times in the service the congregation stands. This is about the only etiquette point that I would suggest doing for sure. Have fun!

Answer 2

I belong to a Reform Synagogue and I'm trying to imagine what might be strange to others. (I remember going with my friend to a Greek Orthodox temple. The strangest thing to me was that all the congregants kissed the same small picture of Jesus, and I wondered about the germs). Anyway, you should dress fairly nicely. In most Reform temples these days, males wear a Yarmulke, which is usually given out in the front. You and the congregation sit and stand when told (Jews don't kneel), and you can participate if you want in the singing and responsive reading. Otherwise, it's kind of like watching a show. "Highlights" include when the Torah scroll is taken out of the arc and read from, and the Rabbi's sermon. I'm sure you'll find it interesting.

Answer 3

Having initially been an observant member of an orthodox synagogue and now being a usual attendee at a Reform Synagogue in Manchester i will trust each little thing already stated different than that, the synagogue I attend in Manchester city Centre does have an organ, which accompanies the choir on Saturday mornings. as quickly as I first attended this Synagogue, it advance into using an organ that i got here upon maximum alien. I nevertheless do no longer like it. another distinction no longer yet stated is that reform congregants or perhaps the Rabbi, will brazenlycontinual to centers and park in the Synagogue automobile-park. Orthodox congregants walk to synagogue or, in the event that they docontinual, will park a pair of streets away. As a student in the Seventies, I lived in the subsequent highway to Wilbraham highway Synagogue and Saturday morning advance into the at some point of the week that the line advance into complete of automobiles. EDIT: I actual have in basic terms observed which you ask what occurs in an Orthodox and Reform provider. all the solutions so a techniques have concentrated on the modifications devoid of giving a competent assessment of the provider itself. Very temporarily, there are beginning prayers and hymns in Hebrew. The Ark is ultimately opened and the Torah Scrolls are taken out and paraded around the interior the Synagogue and then returned to the Bimah, the raised platform from which the provider is performed. After extra prayers, the Torah is study from, in Hebrew. in the past each passage, a member of the congregation is given the honor of reciting the prayer previous to reading from the Torah, an analogous individual will say the prayer used after the reading. the unquestionably reading from the Torah is frequently via the Rabbi yet, whilst a toddler is Bar (boy) or Bat (woman) Mttzvah, the youngster reads the passage from the Torah scroll. The passage is unquestionably arranged and could be study devoid of blunders. on the tip of the reading and prayer the youngster is seen an grownup and has all the non secular rights and household initiatives of an grownup. on the tip of the Torah provider the scrolls are as quickly as extra paraded around the synagogue and returned to the Ark. extra prayers and songs end the provider and, on the tip of the provider there's a Kiddush. this may be something from prayers over a tumbler of wine and loaf of bread to a substantial buffet, based on the prosperity of the Synagogue and whether any particular social gathering is being celebrated. The Kiddush is an danger to socialize and chat (and consume and drink), all mandatory in Jewish custom.

Answer 4

The best bit of advice I got was 'just follow what others are doing.' and it helped me a lot! I went to a Reform Temple and there was a lot of standing, singing (without musical instruments), reading from the Shabbat book (don't know if it was an excerpt from the Torah or what...) and there was also the blessing over bread and wine...yummy. Honestly, I got a bit lost because I didn't know Hebrew so well, but there'll be English too!

Answer 5

The Reform service is based largely on the service held at a Protestant Church.

Answer 6

It is pretty self explanatory and most of the Reform service is in English so you should not have any problem following along. Just follow the lead of those around you.

Answer 7

It's just like going to Church. It depends on how religious the Synagogue is, ask your friend if it's Reformed, Orthodox, or Hasidim. Reformed being the least conservative and Hasidim being very conservative. Dress like you would dress if you were going to Sunday services at a Church.

Answer 8

Many people wear a kippah (headcovering) to acknowledge and respect God. There will be some available if you'd like to wear one, but it's not necessary.
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Answer 9

Stand up when everyone else stands up and sit when everyone else sits down, and generally follow your friend's lead. You will be fine and might find it interesting.

Answer 10

don't worry, you won't have any problems. just watch what everybody else is doing and do the same.