What to Expect at a Synagogue Service
Shabbat (the sabbath) begins at sunset on Friday night and ends at nightfall on Saturday night. There are three prayer services on Shabbat – Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday night, the Morning Service on Saturday morning and the Afternoon service on Saturday late afternoon/early evening.
Observant Jews are not permitted to use electronic items during Shabbat. Please respect this by not taking out or using your phone, camera or any other electronic devices in the Synagogue, or anywhere on the Synagogue premises. It is preferable not to bring electronic items into the Synagogue building if possible.
What Should I Wear?
People generally wear smart clothes to attend services (eg lounge suits and smart dresses) as a sign of respect. Men and women should avoid wearing sleeveless or low-cut tops, shorts or jeans.
Men should wear a kippa (skullcap). Wearing a kippa is a sign of respect and should be worn even if you are not Jewish. Married Jewish men wear a tallit (prayer shawl) which remind the wearer to observe the commandments. Unmarried men and non-Jewish men do not wear a tallit.
Women should wear a dress or skirt if possible. Married women should cover their heads with a hat or scarf.
Entering the Synagogue (Shul)
It is likely that you will see security guards outside the shul. Please be patient if they stop you and question you. They are there to keep all in the community safe and to assess risk.
On a Shabbat morning, as you enter the building, you will be welcomed by a volunteer who will direct you to the cloakrooms and/or to the correct place for you to sit.
Men and women sit separately in an Orthodox Shul. In Stanmore, men sit downstairs and women sit upstairs. Women with access needs have a section at the back of the men’s section downstairs. There is a lift to the first floor but there are then 3 steps to the women’s area.
As a mark of respect, we do not enter or exit when the Torah scroll is being lifted or carried around the shul, or when someone is giving a sermon or speech. The rule of thumb is not to enter or exit when congregants are standing. It is best to stand quietly at the entrance while you wait to walk to a seat. A volunteer steward will indicate when you should enter.
Prayer books are available in front of each seat. The smaller book, called a siddur, contains the prayers while the larger book, called a Chumash, contains the weekly Torah reading. Hebrew books are read from right to left. You will see a weekly newssheet which includes the page numbers for the week. There are English translations in both the siddur and the Chumash.
The Service
The service will be in Hebrew and is led by the Chazan (cantor) with congregants joining in at times. About 2/3 of the way through the morning the Rabbi will give a sermon in English to the congregation.
There is a loop system in use for those who are hard of hearing.
There are set times to stand up and to sit down. It is easiest just to follow other congregants.
You will notice men being called up to do various things on the bimah (the raised area at the front of the shul). All participation from congregants is prearranged and if you have not been notified you will not be unexpectedly asked to do something. So no need to worry about that!
If there is a bar mitzvah boy, it is likely that he will be called to read from the Torah. If there is a bat mitzvah girl, she might give a talk at the end of the service. Other simchas (celebrations) will be commemorated and people may say Mazal Tov (congratulations).
The Chazan or Rabbi will carry the Torah scroll around the men’s section twice during the morning service. You will notice people kissing the Torah (usually with their tallit or a siddur) or bowing to it. This is a sign of respect, but you do not need to do it if you do not wish to.
At the end of the service people wish each other “Shabbat Shalom” or “Good Shabbos” – a lovely sabbath.
Children
Children are very welcome in the shul. We have children’s services for all age groups – see our website for more information. Children should also wear clothing that is respectful and parents should aim to ensure that children do not disturb congregants’ prayers while in the main shul.
After the Service – Kiddush
After the Saturday morning service and the Friday night service in winter, all the congregants gather together for a kiddush (a buffet of snacks and drinks) in the Freeman Susman Hall –upstairs.
We wait for the Rabbi to pronounce a blessing on the wine and snacks before eating.
There is a lift available which is Sabbath-friendly and only for use by those with access needs. On Shabbat, the lift will be in automatic mode and operates without buttons being pushed. The door will open and close very slowly and must not be pushed or pulled as this will damage the mechanism.
We look forward to welcoming you.
