Throughout my time in Jerusalem, I’ll be keeping reviews here of all the synagogues that I’ve visited. The below reviews contain such detailed information as denomination, setup of mechitza, if they have a kiddush, if they’ll find a meal for you, how long the service is, and more, as well as a rating I’ve given it based on a number of factors, but mostly the degree to which the kehilla participates in prayer and harmony. If you have your own thoughts, please comment on the reviews. (Please note that since this information was based on my own experiences in 2015 and 2017, the information may have changed or be outdated. If you have any updates, please reach out!):
Rating: 5/5- Friendly, with good kavanah and harmony, and an excellent kiddush Service Attended: Saturday Morning Services Date: 8/30/2014 Observance: Orthodox Time of Service: 8:15am-11am Saturday Morning Mechitza: To left of men’s section, shaliach tzibur in the middle of men’s section. Sizable women’s section Women: No leadership Meals: Known for its kiddush after the meal, which was very ...
Rating: 2/5- As a friend of mine so eloquently described it, it was just “bleh” Service Attended: Saturday Morning Services Date: September 6, 2014 Observance: Reform Time of Service: 9:15am-11:30 am on Saturday Morning Mechitza: None, open seating Women: Full participation Meals: Very light kiddush (two cakes). No offer of meals Frequency: Every Friday Night and ...
Rating: 5/5- Beautifully sung Carlebach service that gave me chills more than once Services Attended: Saturday Morning and Friday Night Date: September 20, 2014 and October 17th, 2014 Observance: Orthodox Time of Service: Mincha 20min after candlelighting on Friday, and 8:30am-11:15am Saturday Morning Mechitza: Behind men’s section, shtender towards back of men’s section Women: No leadership ...
[sharethis] My favorite Saturday minyan, Leader sings every page in the siddur, and every person is there to daven and have fun Rating: 6/5 Service Attended: Saturday Morning, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur Date: October 18th, 2014, Rosh Hashana 2014, Yom Kippur 2014 Type of Service: Very Modern Orthodox. Tons of singing, lots ...
Rating: 3/5- Typical American Conservative service, with participation in the service likewise Service Attended: Friday Night Services Date: 8/29/2014 About: Fully Egalitarian, Masorti (Conservative) congregation Time of Service: 6:45pm Friday night Mechitza: None, people can sit wherever Women: Full participation Sermon: English on Friday Night, Hebrew (same sermon) on Saturday Morning Meals: No mention ...
Rating: 6/5- By far the best Friday Night service I’ve been to in my life. Lively, musical, spiritual. Service Attended: Friday Night Services (September 5, 2014) About: Egalitarian and inclusive, they use varied instruments and meditation type melodies to elevate prayer Time of Service: Friday, 6:00-8:00 pm Mechitza: None, open seating Women: Full participation ...
Rating: 4/5- Friday nights are wonderful and full of energy, Saturday mornings are rather lacking Services Attended: Friday Night and Saturday Morning Date: November 14, 2014 and November 15th, 2014 Observance: Orthodox Time of Service: Mincha 20 min after candle lighting on Friday, and 7:30am-10:45am Saturday Morning, children’s book reading following Mechitza: Right-Left, with shtender ...
Rating: 4/5- A Beautiful Friday Night Service Lacking In Ruach. 5/5 – Best Saturday Morning Service I’ve Been To In A While Service Attended: Friday Night Services (8/16/2014) and Saturday Morning (8/23/2014) Slogan: An Orthodox, Feminist Congregation in Jerusalem Time of Service: Friday-1:15, Saturday- 8:30am-11:30am Mechitza: Left-Right, shtender in the ...
One of the few remaining synagogues with an old time feel, led by a world renowned Chazzan Rating: 4/5 Service Attended: Saturday Morning Services (on two separate occasions) Date: Two separate weekends in July 2014 Type of Service: Orthodox. Chazzan led with all male choir (choir present some weeks). Also a separate ...
Rating: It’s the Kotel. What more needs to be said? Service Attended: Friday Night Services Date: September 19, 2014 Time of Service: Services start at candle lighting, and new minyanim start every few minutes Mechitza: Men’s and Women’s sections, separate services Women: Lead women’s services Meals: YES! See special section below review Frequency: All services, every ...
[sharethis] Rating: 5/5- Beautiful harmony that is perfectly resonant in their space Service Attended: Friday Night and Saturday Morning Services Date: Septemeber 26th/27th, 2014 Slogan: Authentic open-minded Judaism, rooted in the riches of tradition and relevant to the issues of the present day Type of Service: Orthodox with Carlebach tunes Time of Service: ...
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 ...
