Our Service Customs
- To minimize distractions, we ask that you turn off or silence your cell phone.
- Please enter or leave the sanctuary only when the congregation is seated.
- Photography is permitted before and after services. Video taping is permitted from inside the "sound room" at the back of the sanctuary.
- For your convenience, there is a "Shalom Room" on the side of the sanctuary with couches and toys for small children.
- Our prayer book includes Hebrew, transliteration, translation, and creative English readings. We encourage you to join in reading with the congregation whenever the text is in italics or when invited to do so by the Rabbis or prayer leader. We also encourage you to sing with the Cantor and choir.
- The kippah/yarmulke (head covering) is worn as a sign of reverence and respect. In our community, the kippah is worn by men and women while in the Temple or during a prayer service. Wearing a kippah ties us to Jews around the world and throughout history. While not a requirement, all congregants and gusts are encouraged to wear a kippah in the sanctuary. Extras are available for your use and can be found at the entrance of the sanctuary.
- Wearing a tallit is a sign of entrance into adult responsibility in the Jewish community. In the Book of Numbers (15:38), we are commanded to affix tzi-tzi (ritual knots) to the four corners of our garments as a reminder of God's commandments to the Jewish people. While not a requirement, Tallitot are worn during morning services by congregants and at all services by those honored with an aliyah and by prayer leaders. Tallitot are available for guests in the foyer.
- The reading of the Torah in public is an ancient tradition, dating back to the third century B.C.E. It is an honor to be called up to chant the blessings before and after each section is read (aliyah). Those who are called for aliyot are Jewish and at least 13 years old because, with these blessings, the individual affirms acceptance of the Torah and its teachings. Others may be invited to accompany those who recite the Torah blessings.
- We adorn our Torah scroll with special cloth coverings and silver ornaments responding to our teaching to beautify the Torah. The Torah is ceremonially undressed before and then dressed after it is read. Jews and non-Jews may have this honor
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