We attended a Reformed Synagogue service tonight. Ophir Yarden who teaches Jewish history at the Jerusalem Center took us to his synagogue. They have a morning, afternoon, and evening Friday meeting to celebrate the coming of the Sabbath. They don't name the weekdays - they number them as a countdown to the Sabbath to remind them to look forward during the week to the Sabbath. They sang / chanted music - one for each day of the week, two for the Sabbath, and one for closing. It was a joyful meeting. At the end of the meeting, they gave announcements, which included welcoming us and several other visiting groups.
In an orthodox synagogue, women and men sit separately. We sat together in the reformed synagogue. The reformed call their meeting place a temple. They believe they can do whatever they need to do without having a temple rebuilt on the temple mount. They don't want a temple as in old times with animal sacrifices. The orthodox call their meeting place a synagogue because they expect to build a temple again as in ancient times, on the temple mount with animal sacrifices and ceremonies as practiced in old times.
The synagogue is behind us. We couldn't take pictures inside. In an orthodox synagogue we couldn't take pictures outside either. The reformed synagogue is ok with pictures as long as we don't take pictures of the people. We are with Fred and JoAnna Woods.
John Clayton loaned me his kippa. The men cover their heads as a show of respect for God.
We waited for the buses in front of the synagogue. The synagogue looked more like a business or apartment building. We met in a large room with chairs set out on 3 sides for the congregation in a half circle. The leader sat in the center of the half circle and led the singing. A woman led the singing tonight. In an orthodox meeting, only a man would lead. Partway through the meeting, the congregation turned to face the entry behind them, to welcome in the Sabbath.
Interesting. Did you go with the students?
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