Some could argue that Shabbat worship is at the very crux of religious Judaism. Experiencing the beauty of Erev Shabbat services is one of my favorite things about being a Jew. And perhaps the best thing about Erev Shabbat is that it is never the same in any two synagogues.
The benefit of not affiliating with a particular denomination of Judaism is the ability to be a freelancer of sorts. It’s not about finding places with the same label above the door. It’s about finding a service that is both inspiring and comfortable. That’s why I love checking out synagogues in new cities.
This summer, living in a new community, I had the chance to check out three new congregations: one reform, one conservative and one transdenominational. I even attended one Erev Shabbat service on the beach: toes in the sand, ocean mist clinging to my hair.
How cool is it to experience the coming of the Shabbat Queen while breathing in fresh ocean air?
Every new places gives you the chance to be a shul shopper. This weekend, I’ve left my comfortable (dorm room) home in Manhattan in favor of a few days in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. When I planned the trip a couple of months ago, I was excited to travel, to attend the meetings I had scheduled, to shop on King Street, and to take more photographs in the beautiful historic district. But one of the things I was most excited about was visiting the oldest surviving Reform synagogue in the world, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim. And really, who would have thought such a historical Jewish landmark would be tucked into America’s south? Actually, after a little digging, it’s easy to see that the South is full of Jews.
I guarantee that wherever you travel, whether it’s across town or across the country, synagogue services and activities are bound to be new and unique experiences. Why not take advantage? If you need a head start, take a look at ShulShopper, now in public beta. Pray happy.
Shabbat Shalom, all!
