Understanding Synagogue Customs and Architectural Features

Rabbi Emma Kiple Ogman guides newcomers on what to expect in a synagogue, emphasizing rituals and community features.

### Exploring the Synagogue: A Guide with Rabbi Emma Kiple Ogman
* 🏛 Rabbi Emma Kiple Ogman welcomes us to KI, starting our journey in the lobby of the synagogue where we learn about **important customs and items** found there.
* 🧢 Outside the sanctuary, a basket of Kipas is available for visitors to **cover their heads as a sign of respect** before entering.
* 📜 Informational brochures about synagogue programs and a guide to help follow along during the **Shabbat morning service** are also located in the lobby.
* 🧣 Visitors will find a rack of prayer shawls, known as **Tallit**, which Jewish adults often wear during services, accompanied by a **blessing recited before donning them**.
* 🕯 Inside the sanctuary, architectural features include memorial plaques, pews, the **Bima stage**, and the **Ark where the Torah is kept**, topped with the **Eternal Light**.
* 📖 Attendees can find prayer books (Sidur) and Torah texts (Kumash) in the pews, allowing them to **follow along with prayers** and the **weekly Torah reading**.
* 🔍 The Torah is read from a scroll, and the reader uses a **Yad**, a hand-shaped pointer, to follow the text, emphasizing the **care and tradition** involved in these practices.
* 🙏 Rabbi Emma expresses gratitude for the opportunity to explore the sanctuary and invites everyone to **experience the community and services** at the synagogue.

What To Expect At A Synagogue - InterfaithFamily.com

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The lobby of a synagogue often has a basket of Kipas for head covering, a sign of respect before entering the sanctuary.

There is also a brochure rack with information on programs and page numbers to help follow the Shabbat morning service.

Prayer Shaws, or Talis, are available for use, and wearing one is customary for Jewish adults attending the service, accompanied by a special blessing.

The sanctuary is adorned with plaques in memory of community members, creating a sense of connection across generations.

Key features include pews, a beima (stage), the Ark with the Torah, and the Eternal Light (Narto) above.

The prayer books, Sidur and Kashim, are available to help attendees follow along with the prayers and weekly Torah reading.

The weekly Torah reading, known as Truma this week, is a central part of the service, with readings in both Hebrew and English.

The prayer leader's position varies between facing the congregation or standing in the same direction.

The ark, which holds the Torah scrolls, is opened with the community standing in respect, and the Torah is read using a pointer called a Yad.

Inside a Synagogue: A Tour with Rabbi Emma

The Torah is dressed with a cover and held closed with an open mechanism.

Inside, the Torah is made of parchment and written in a specific calligraphy used for Holy writings.

Rabbi Emma provides a glimpse of the sanctuary and expresses hope to see everyone there someday.