Need Advice, attending a Sabbath Service, URJ, don't want to make a fool of myself

Synthesis

Okay, this is kind of an awkward case, but I do need advice from anyone who is Jewish who regularly attends Sabbath services.

For part of a small cultural diversity study for my University, I've elected to attend a Friday service at a local synagogue--well, the only local synagogue (I'm living in Georgia, in the US, where, I have noticed, there are very few Jews and non-Christians in general). They are affiliated with United Reform Judaism.

Here's the problem--I'm from Taiwan, raised there and in Japan, I've never been to such a service before. In fact, despite four years in Catholic School, I probably went to about four or five Christian services over my life too. And those were all basically like school days, but with more sleeping. I really don't know anything about the service. In fact, I really no absolutely nothing about montheistic religious rituals in general.

So here's what I need to know...is it 'open house' like other Abrahamic religions seem to be? How formal should one dress? I planned to wear some nice slacks, a shirt, and a tie, along with a windbreaker (I left my one blazer with my parents). I wasn't planning to bring a tape recorder of anything with that service either, so that's not a problem. Is there really anything I should know about beyond sitting in the back, and being generally quiet and polite?

Melkster

Synthesis wrote: »

Okay, this is kind of an awkward case, but I do need advice from anyone who is Jewish who regularly attends Sabbath services.

For part of a small cultural diversity study for my University, I've elected to attend a Friday service at a local synagogue--well, the only local synagogue (I'm living in Georgia, in the US, where, I have noticed, there are very few Jews and non-Christians in general). They are affiliated with United Reform Judaism.

Here's the problem--I'm from Taiwan, raised there and in Japan, I've never been to such a service before. In fact, despite four years in Catholic School, I probably went to about four or five Christian services over my life too. And those were all basically like school days, but with more sleeping. I really don't know anything about the service. In fact, I really no absolutely nothing about montheistic religious rituals in general.

So here's what I need to know...is it 'open house' like other Abrahamic religions seem to be? How formal should one dress? I planned to wear some nice slacks, a shirt, and a tie, along with a windbreaker (I left my one blazer with my parents). I wasn't planning to bring a tape recorder of anything with that service either, so that's not a problem. Is there really anything I should know about beyond sitting in the back, and being generally quiet and polite?

Religious Studies student here, who has toured a number of different churches/mosques/temples/etc. You should definitely call first. They've probably gotten a ton of inquiries in the past and are trained on how to help people who are looking for an ecumenical experience. They'll give you directions, advice on what to wear and how to wear it, where you should park, and general advice on what you should do when you're there. Plus, if you want to arrange for an interview with the rabbi or any other staff, you can ask them!

mts

if its reform, they are pretty laid back, you can probably get away with nice pants and a button down shirt and tie

Enc

When I did something like this back in College I went to the Temples, Mosques, and Churches the week before and booked a meeting with the pastor/rabbi to make sure my presence as a silent observer wouldn't be too intrusive. Generally, the patron/matron of a religious institution is more than willing to offer advice concerning attire, expectations, and give lots of explanations about the various traditions and religions, even to outsiders.

The only exceptions I had in my personal experiences were Jehovah's Witnesses (who refused to let me observe), Scientologists (who wouldn't let me watch without filling out a massive stack of paperwork), and one of our Southern Baptist Churches (who didn't like me for personal reasons, turns out I was an old enemy of the Pastor's son in High School).

Grid System

Your outfit sounds fine. There may or may not be some kippot (the little hats Jews sometimes wear) at the synagogue, though I don't think Reform is all that strict about that sort of thing.

Honestly, a Reform synagogue will probably be either boring, or interesting for reasons unrelated to Judaism. If you want to see some serious Jews acting seriously Jewish, consider going to a Chabad Lubavitch service.

Synthesis

I was actually planning to wear a Stetson narrow-brimmed hat, dark blue, to cover my head. However, I'm not completely sure what the rules on that matter are. Plus, I'm one of those people who always removes my hat when I sit down (deeply rooted habit).

I'll definitely give the center a call--I don't need an interview for a Rabbi (it's a study in diversity, not religion or clergy), but the last thing I want to do is impose, even as a silent observer.

And I don't really mind if it's 'boring'.

futility

For a Reform service you're going to get a really mixed bag. Could be lots of singing with electric guitars and awesome fireworks display, could be a lot of boring reading in Hebrew and/or English.

As for interesting or boring that'd be as hard to peg as going to any other place of worship. It depends on the community established there.

The best advice really is to call where you intend to go and then ask them what to expect. That goes for dress too. Just like anywhere else, some people get dressy some people don't. Jeans and a nice shirt is cool for some, suits are cool for others. I'm on my temple's board and I tend to wear nice jeans and a polo (and I'm about in the middle on a level of community dressyness)

Evil_Reaver

I used to work at a Jewish temple (don't remember the denomination, though) in Los Angeles. I'm not Jewish, but I'd occasionally have to stay at work late and help out with the Temple's Friday night services. My experience is that Temple is pretty much the same as "church." You can expect:

1. Happy, fast songs to get everyone pumped up to praise God.
2. Slow, serious songs to set the mood.
3. The Rabbi speaking that night will deliver his lecture.
4. More singing.
5. Snacks!

Portions of the service will be in Hebrew, the songs in particular. You can pretty much expect to have no idea what's happening during the non-English parts. I found that most service-goers are cool and won't give you shit for being there as an "outsider." You'll be fine if you sit in the back and try to respect what's going on around you. Also, slacks and a button-down shirt will be fine.