Rating: 4/5- Solid service with lots of ruach, lacking in harmony
Service Attended: Friday Night Services
Date: 8/23/2014
Slogan: Authentic open-minded Judaism, rooted in the riches of tradition and relevant to the issues of the present day
Time of Service: Begins 30 min after sundown
Mechitza: Left-Right, shaliach tzibur in the middle
Women: No leadership
Seating: A few chairs in back in the men’s section, most people stand, significantly more seating in the women’s section. Get there early if you want a seat.
Meals: They asked at the beginning and end of the service for anyone who is looking for a place to go for Shabbos dinner to go up front and they would match you up. I was matched with a lovely English couple, who had other guests that hailed from various English speaking countries (US, South Africa, Australia).
Frequency: Upstairs minyan is only every Friday night
Family friendly service: Shaliach Tzibur began by announcing that if any child would like to make noise, that they are encouraged, as it’s a form of prayer as well. I couldn’t agree more.
Review: Yakar is an extremely friendly congregation, and I found it to be quite delightful. The shaliach tzibur made every person feel welcome as they walked into the men’s side (at times at the expense of actually leading), greeting them with a handshake and a shabbat shalom. It was very friendly towards kids, and the shaliach tzibur gave out candies to those present. He also reinterated a number of times that if anyone needed a place for dinner, they would find someone, and he did in my case.
The davening was very solid, filled with ruach but not much harmony. The shaliach tzibur was good, although at times out of tune, and he would occasionally switch to the harmony part, which would have worked had the congregation been solid enough underneath him to carry the melody at those times. The service was largely Carlebach, with some different tunes I had not heard before or was unfamiliar with.
Note that the minyan does not have air conditioning, so when it’s warm out, it’s warm in the minyan. The room filled as the service went on, but I’m told it’s generally a lot more full. Overall, I would like to go back during the year and see what a full minyan is like. If you’re looking for some really solid, spirited davening, this minyan is a good place to check out.
Yakar is located at 10 Halamed-Hey St., Jerusalem. The entrance is actually off of Kovshei Katamon Street, and is up one flight of stairs on the outside of the building. For more information, visit their website.
