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Frequently Asked Questions

What time?

Friday Erev Shabbat is 6:30 pm-7:30 pm followed by an Oneg.  ​

Saturday Shabbat Services are 9:30 am-12:00 pm/12:30 pm, Charly will begin around 10:15 am and followed by a Kiddush Luncheon.

Guests and regular congregants often arrive late and well after services have begun for Saturday Shabbat Services.

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How Do I Maintain Sanctity?

All guests and participants are expected to respect the sanctity of the prayer service and Shabbat by:

  1. Please leave your cell phones in the car, or set your cell phone to airplane mode, or turn it off.

  2.  Please do not take pictures. Photography is strictly forbidden on Shabbat.

  3. No smoking in the sanctuary, inside the building, or even on the synagogue grounds.

  4. No writing.

What is an Oneg & Kiddush Luncheon?

Oneg: a Jewish celebration in honor of the Sabbath that takes place on Friday evening or Saturday afternoon and usually includes a program of songs, a lecture, and refreshments.  It is customary not to eat until the blessing is said over wine/grape juice to santify the Sabbath.

Kiddush Luncheon: A Kiddush Luncheon is an opportunity to gather with friends and family immediately following your child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah service and do something very Jewish–eat!

What is the Kippah?

Kippah,or yarmulke: A kippah (KEEP-ah) or head covering (called a yarmulke in Yiddish), is worn by those who identify as male during the service and also by those who identify as women in more liberal synagogues. Wearing a kippah is not a symbol of religious identification, but is rather an act of respect to God and the sacredness of the worship space. Just as people may be asked to remove their hats in the church, or remove their shoes before entering a mosque, wearing a head covering is a non-denominational act of showing respect. Most synagogues have a basket of kippahs (also called kippot) at the entry to the sanctuary, and bar/bat mitzvah hosts often provide custom-made ones that you can keep as a memento.

What is the Tallit?

The tallit (tall-EET) or tallis (TALL-us) is a large rectangular shawl made of wool, cotton or synthetic fibers. In each of the four corners of the shawl are strings tied in a particular pattern, called tzitzit. The origin of the tzitzit is biblical; the practice is prescribed in Numbers 15. The precept is to put these strings on the four corners of one’s garment — in ancient tradition, with a single strand of blue as well–as a reminder of the duties and obligations of a Jew. Since we no longer wear four-cornered garments, the tallit is worn specifically to fulfill the biblical precept.
One may see people gathering the tzitzit in their left hand and kissing them when the paragraph from the Torah referring to them is recited. 
A guest is not asked to wear a tallit.

Dress Code

Friday Erev Shabbat:  skirt, dress, denim, slacks or suit paints, polo shirt, dressed-up t-shirt, ties optional.

Saturday Shabbat Services: skirt, dress, dress pants, suit pants, button down shirt, full suit, tie optional.
Party Time: Anything you want just as long as YOU are comfortable.  

Do I have to sit and remain in the sanctuary the entire time?

When the Ark is open, do not leave or enter the sanctuary.
Jewish worship services can be very athletic, filled with frequent directions to stand for particular prayers and sit for others. Take your cue from the other worshipers or the rabbi’s instructions. Unlike kneeling in a Catholic worship service–which is a unique prayer posture filled with religious significance–standing and sitting in a Jewish service does not constitute any affirmation of religious belief, it is merely a sign of respect. There may also be instructions to bow at certain parts of the service, and because a bow or prostration is a religiously significant act, feel free to remain standing or sitting as you wish at that point.

FAQ: FAQ
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