Conservative Judaism/Jewish Tradition

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Expert: - 4/4/2005


Question
I was wondering what a a day at the synagogue would be like for someone of non-Jewish faith. I was wondering what some of the differences are and what kind of things a person of non-Jewish faith would be required to do whilst attending.

Answer
Dear Alan,

Thanks for writing, however it is virtually impossible to answer your question.

Are you speaking of a weekday, for an adult or child or family - and they have separate activities at different times with different purposes, for worship on a weekday or the Sabbath or Festivals, for a single, a married, an empty-nester, etc.

You would do in a synagogue roughly what you might do in a church community for purposes of charity, worship, study, support groups, community involvement, etc. - but with Jews in a Jewish fashion.

There is an interesting book available on Amazon and perhaps even in your library, basically speaking of how to "behave" and what to expect when you visit the synagogue, church or mosque of a friend under different conditions. I commend it to you as a good way to get started.

Good luck and if you have very specific question, don't hesitate to re-post.

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Expertise

Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience

I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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