Movements
American synagogues mostly belong to one of four movements, and the service changes with each:
- Reform congregations, often called temples, use much English, often have instruments, and seat everyone together.
- Conservative services are mostly in Hebrew, follow the traditional liturgy and seat families together.
- Orthodox services are in Hebrew, longer and seat men and women separately, divided by a partition called a mechitzah.
- Reconstructionist communities are small, egalitarian and participatory.
Before you go
Most synagogues have security, and many ask visitors to contact the office or register online beforehand. Doing so also means someone can welcome you. Check the service times: Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday.
At the service
Men, and in many congregations women too, wear a kippah (skullcap); a basket of them sits at the entrance and non-Jewish guests are welcome to wear one. The tallit (prayer shawl) is worn by Jewish adults, so guests don't take one. You'll be handed a siddur (prayer book), which opens from what English readers think of as the back, with Hebrew on one side and translation and transliteration on the other. Page numbers are announced.
On Saturday morning, the high point is the Torah reading: the scroll is carried through the congregation, and people touch it with the corner of their tallit or prayer book. Stand when others stand, especially when the Ark holding the scrolls is open.
Shabbat etiquette
In Conservative and Orthodox synagogues, phones, photography and writing are not used on Shabbat, so leave your phone in the car or switched off. After the service there is usually a kiddush, a blessing over wine and bread followed by refreshments, where guests are warmly welcomed.