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Beth El Congregation
520 Fairmont Street
Winchester, VA 22601
540-667-1043

by Teresa Cave

The Jewish Community in Winchester, Virginia began in the 1870’s. The first worship service took place in 1908 and the first High Holy Day celebrations were in 1910. In the mid-1930’s, the congregation was formalized under the name Beth El Congregation. The Synagogue was dedicated in 1955. As their 50^th anniversary approaches, Beth El serves members from seven counties in two states. The congregation has outgrown its facilities and they have plans to expand. Beth El’s synagogue is the heart of their community and a vital part of all of their lives.

My visit to Beth El Congregation began when I arrived at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Friday evening. The worship service was to begin at 8:00 p.m. I parked my car and entered the back door that was standing open. I stood still for a few moments because I didn’t know if I should go up or down the steps immediately inside the door. As I waited, I tried to read the bulletin board. I say tried because most of it was in Hebrew. After a few moments, a very nice couple arrived. Their names were Linda and Mark. I asked them if I could follow them in because I was a visitor. As we entered the sanctuary, I explained why I was there. Both of them welcomed me and thanked me for coming. As others arrived Mark and Linda introduced me to everyone. I cannot remember their names but they all were so very nice and friendly.

We entered the synagogue from the "back." This seemed totally backwards to me. (Latecomers entered from the "front".) It was small but would hold about 100 people. The back was "U" shaped with the rounded part next to the pews. This area is called the bema. When you sit in the pews, you face east which is towards the "back." There were four special chairs, two on each side, along the back wall. In the middle was a large keystone shaped cabinet, this was the Holy Ark. Above it were two lions holding two large stone tablets written in Hebrew, this represented the Torah as given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. There was also a pulpit on the left where the Rabbi stood and a tall table on the right that held three candles. Along the left wall was a very large in "memory of" plaque with the names and dates of members who had died. Next to the names were small white lights. The lights next to the names for the coming month were lit, signifying the anniversary of their death.

As the service began, the Rabbi welcomed everyone (about 15 in attendance, mostly women) and read a short story. After that, we followed The Gates of Prayer for Shabbat and Weekdays book, Shabbat Evening Service II beginning on page 65. This book seems backwards to most people. It is read from "back to front", right to left. This is because Hebrew is read from right to left. (However, the English interpretation is read left to right.) Everyone chanted and sang as I tried to follow along in the book. The pronunciation was printed below the Hebrew. It was very helpful. In between, the Rabbi would speak in Hebrew and English. Sometimes we would stand. The rest of the time we remained seated. Again, the Rabbi told a story. The assistant made some announcements about upcoming events and the people talked with him. The Rabbi then passed out papers with questions on them. It was a review for everyone. It was titled "An Overview of Judaism: What Everyone Should Know." This was session one (Jewish sources) of six. This was perfect for my visit. After this the Rabbi returned to the pulpit. More chanting in Hebrew and reading from the book. After the service the Rabbi greeted everyone with a handshake and "Shalom Shabbat." (They did not read from the Torah. Attendance was small, there must be a minyan – ten adult men present to read from the Torah.) Most people left the sanctuary and went downstairs for oneg - communion* and refreshments. The Rabbi blessed the bread and wine and everyone joined in. I was also given communion. I enjoyed talking with all of the people. They invited me back for the reading of the Torah and even a Bar Mitzvah if I wanted to come.

The question sheet asked questions like: "How many books are in the Hebrew scriptures?" The answer: 39; 5 in Torah, 21 in the Prophets, and 13 in the Writings. "Where in the Bible would you find the Ten Commandments?" They are found in Exodus and Deuteronomy. "What is meant by ‘Torah’?" "Torah" means the first five books of the Bible, all of the law, the body of literature, and "teaching." "How does Jewish law adapt to new situations?" These are ways to adapt Jewish law: Rabbinic interpretations, Responsa, active Responsa committees, and daily living – look at laws and interpret them to your lifestyle. There were several other questions, but I can not repeat the answers because they were in Hebrew.

I thought the service was beautiful. Everyone was chanting in Hebrew and at some points during the service I could tell that they were really feeling something. The whole service flowed with a kind-of "sing-song" rhythm. It made me want to know what they were saying and join in. During the final "song", some clapped and swayed to the beat. All of the people conveyed how proud they are of their heritage and religion. I think that because Judaism is an ethnic religion, it runs much deeper than just what they believe – it is a part of who and what they are. Here is a statement from their Gates of Prayer book that touched me and I think it is universal.

"Pray as if everything depended on God;

act as if everything depended on you."

* Technically, this sharing of bread and wine is not really a "communion" such as in a Christian church. However, this blessing over and sharing of bread and wine is exactly what Jesus was doing at the Passover seder with his disciples the night before he died. This ancient Jewish tradition is actually the origin of the Christian communion meal!