My Failing Synagogue Career

Excuse me for being overly frank in my self-analysis: I am not an avid synagogue goer. I never have been, and I doubt I ever will be. If you’ll allow me to be further presumptuous – I don’t think many people reading this article, either, would identify as avid synagogue goers.

The words “synagogue” or “services” typically conjure in our minds such feelings as boredom, lost in a crowd, distant, unrelatable, etc. Services are unnecessarily dragged out, and are, for the most part, in a language we don’t understand. The Rabbi’s speech is difficult to relate to, and, more often than not, is a failed attempt at concealing his appeal for charity. There are a lot of people and not enough seats, making the once-a-year pilgrimage seem more of a chore than a profound religious experience.

It has always been my custom to adopt a new resolution in honor of the High Holidays. Surprisingly, as diverse as my yearly resolutions were, they always seemed to rhyme with the words: “Never Again!”.

My failing synagogue career was all but over, until I found myself being convinced by a friend to give it one last shot:

High Holidays at Chabad. Guilt got the better of me and I begrudgingly went along, confident that it would be my closing synagogue stint.

The experience was, to put it best, a breath of fresh air. It started with my entry into the synagogue, which put me in a surprising, and somewhat curious, predicament: A bearded Rabbi, whom I was sure I had never met, was offering his arms in embrace, and his wife’s smile showed a warmth that was surely reserved for her long lost friends. Uncharacteristic of me as it was I accepted his offer, and I found myself being welcomed into a genuinely caring family. A group of honest Jews, many as unobservant as I was, united in their search for meaning and inspiration.

The services themselves were unique as well. Many of the prayers were said in English, and were interspersed with humorous anecdotes from the Rabbi. There was no charity appeal, no subtly masked requests for donations.

The songs were enjoyable, the messages insightful. Everything seemed to mesh so well together; great people, great energy, and a great Rabbi. I learned something new that day, something I did not beforehand think possible. Synagogue services can be engaging, uplifting, and yes – enjoyable.

Don’t just be a High Holidays Sympathizer; become an active participant in your community.

You are invited to join Harford Chabad for High Holidays. Schedules and details at www.HarfordChabad.org/Holydays

excerpted from the Harford Chabad Soulwise Magazine with permission

Article by S. Wolf