Tate | My First Shabbat in Israel

During my first Shabbat in Israel, I attended morning services and a bar mitzvah ceremony. Compared to the services I'm used to in Chicago, there were fewer people in attendance, but I enjoyed following the rules of Shabbat and exploring my surroundings. If I were to return, I would love to have a similar experience, although it may be challenging to do so in Chicago. One of the highlights of my trip was the Friday night service, which was interactive and engaging. I think it would be great to incorporate this kind of meaningful and enjoyable experience into our own community at BZ. Overall, I had a positive experience with Shabbat.

I had the opportunity to attend a traditional Jewish synagogue on Friday night, and I must say, it was an incredible and unexpectedly enjoyable experience. The service began with a Jewish melody that was unfamiliar to me, but the words and the essence of the song struck a chord within me.

As the service progressed, I was captivated by the passion and devotion of the congregation towards Judaism. One particular moment that stood out was when we reached the prayer, "Mizmor L'David," and the gentleman sitting next to me invited me to join a parade around the synagogue. Soon after, the entire congregation was singing and clapping along, with some even joining in the parade. Though it was different from what I'm accustomed to at BZ, it was an unforgettable and inspiring experience.