What to Expect at Temple Emanu-El

What will you experience when you visit our synagogue? How is it appropriate to behave? Many non-Jews ask these questions because they are nervous about their first visit to a synagogue. We certainly don't want you to feel nervous, scared, or uncomfortable. A synagogue is a house of God, a place to feel God's presence, worship and join a community in prayer. The following guide is intended to help you feel comfortable when you visit Temple Emanu-El.

Click here for directions to Temple Emanu-El.

What You'll See

When you enter the synagogue, you will see the Ark on the eastern wall. It contains the Sifrei Torah, parchment scrolls on which the Torah (Five Books of Moses, also known as the Chumash or Pentateuch) is written. The Ark has a curtain and often doors, as well.

Suspended over the Ark is our Ner Tamid (eternal light). Its flame recalls the pillar of fire which accompanied our ancestors in their travels through the Wilderness of Sinai on their way to the Land of Israel. An eternal light stood outside our ancestors' Temple to God in Jerusalem, signifying the eternal nature of the Jewish Covenant with God. You will find a Ner Tamid burning perpetually in front of every Ark in every synagogue throughout the world.

Also over the Ark will be a symbolic representation of the Tablets of the Covenant which tradition teaches that Moses brought down Mount Sinai.

The raised platform from which the Torah is read is called the bima (meaning "high place"). According to tradition, we read the Torah from an elevated platform to signify our respect for its holiness.

You will be reading from a siddur (prayer book), which contains the liturgy used during the service. The siddur includes both Hebrew and English. Most siddurim (plural of siddur) open from right to left, the correct direction for Hebrew. The rabbi will announce the pages as the service progresses. Many of the prayers are sung, for music is a natural human language for prayer. Some prayers are recited privately and silently, others communally. For some prayers we stand, because of their importance, and for some we sit. The rabbi will announce these things as the service progresses. It is appropriate for all visitors to stand when the congregation stands, and sit when the congregation sits.

What People Wear

In most synagogues, it is customary for people to cover their heads as a sign of respect for God - an acknowledgement that there is something "above" us in the universe. Head coverings, called kippot, are available as you enter the sanctuary. Those who are over the age of 13 sometimes wear a tallit (prayer shawl) which has special ritual fringes (called tzitzit) on the corners. The Torah commands Jews to wear fringes on the corners of their garments as a reminder of God's commandments. Wearing the tallit helps the worshiper concentrate better on prayer. Non-Jewish visitors and many of our congregants do not wear the tallit.

About Children in the Synagogue

Children are welcome in the synagogue. They should not be expected to sit throughout a long service. It is perfectly acceptable for them to walk out to stretch their legs now and then and talk with friends, albeit quietly, except when the ark is open or the Rabbi is speaking. We do provide babysitting for young children and have a playground for their entertainment.

Will We Feed You?

We're Jewish - need you ask?! A nosh will be served after the service - on Friday evenings, it is called Oneg Shabbat (the joy of Shabbat) and on Saturday there will be a Kiddush, which might be a snack or a luncheon. Please wait until the blessings are recited before eating and then help yourself and enjoy!

Recommended Reading

"How to Be a Perfect Stranger" (volume 1) edited by Arthur J. Magida (Jewish Lights Publishing Company).

Our address is 1010 University Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 - you can call the Temple main office at at 408-292-0939. Click here for point-to-point directions to the Temple.