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Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation
Reston, VA

by Ryan Dunn

For my personal encounter essay, I decided to go visit a Jewish congregation and experience a Jewish Shabbat. It was my very first time ever to attend a Jewish service, and so I was naturally curious to see the traditions of the service.

Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, located on Wiehle Avenue, holds two Shabbat services, one on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m., and another at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. I had known that there was a Jewish congregation of some sort on Wiehle, but I had always assumed that it focused mostly on Jewish preschool. But after I had confirmed that there was a Reform Jewish ministry located there, I decided that I would attend one of the Saturday services.

The building or temple for Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation is modest by most standards; a whitewashed wood exterior with a concrete sidewalk leading to the front doors. To its immediate left is the Thomas A Becket Catholic Church; and as it is located in mostly residential surroundings, it seemed almost tranquil. After entering, I saw through a door that the main sanctuary was smaller than some other churches, an indication of a smaller congregation.

I had arrived more than thirty minutes early for this service, hoping that I might be able to perhaps speak with the rabbi, a Ms. Rosalind A. Gold. While waiting a member of congregation came up to ask what my intentions were, and I explained that I had come to observe a Jewish Shabbat. I could not help but notice that this woman member of the congregation had blond hair and a peach-skin complexion; nothing at all like the almond-eye Jewish maiden with black hair and an olive skin tone.

Returning to the lobby, I passed the kitchen, and then picked up a brochure for the church right next to the sanctuary doors. At last members of the congregation began to arrive. They too, I noticed, had few or none of any stereotypical physical traits expected in a Jew; I was beginning to wonder what sort of sermon I had come to hear. Finally, however, the rabbi began to walk down the hallway, stopping at the kitchen to put in the freezer some wine and bread.

I admit that seeing a woman in a position that I normally expect a man to hold was confusing for me. Yet, after hearing a few of the members greet her simply as "Rabbi", I approached Ms. Gold and explained my purpose. She was understanding, and I was permitted to watch and even participate in the service so much as possible. We then entered into the sanctuary, and the families already there began to make a circle of chars for the service.

Wearing a tie and kaki pants, I felt inwardly pleased that I was at least following the dressing norm for men. Women wore dresses for the service, as in most churches that I have attended. The sole accessory I lacked was a yarmulke, which with the exception of one other man, ever male was wearing. One older gentleman even put on a prayer shawl. There was a box of yarmulkes outside the sanctuary, but as nobody told me to wear one, I did not put it on believing that, besides making it appear that I was making a statement, wearing a yarmulke for me would be incorrect according to the I Corinthians 11:4 verse: "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head."

There were two different prayer books, both paperback and with bits of Hebrew written in them. From the beginning we first started out with prayer requests among the members; followed by a moment of silence. It was then that the reading of psalms in the sing-song, worship of the congregation began, almost completely in Hebrew. I found it very amusing and difficult to read the subscript phonetic translation while keeping in tune with everyone else. In the end I just tried to hum along in a sing-song voice and found that I was doing a more effective job.

It was this singing of psalms that would constitute the body of the worship service, with much mentioning of "Israel". At one time, there was moment of silence for every former member of the congregation who had died within the last year. Then at another point, everyone stood up and faced towards the east for a moment of silence. It was then that I noticed that although the sanctuary was somewhat bare, it did have what looked like a T.V. hutch. In a few minutes, I was to learn what its true function was.

During approximately the midpoint in the service, Rabbi Gold announced the time had come for the opening of the ark, and had a young kid come forward to help with the parading of the Torah. While the Torah was paraded, everyone present touched it with their prayer book. Those present and observing continued the ceremonious procession with psalms of rejoicing, and I hummed my steadfast accord.

At last the rabbi stopped and the Torah was unveiled and held by two members of congregation. The rabbi then explained the time had come for the traditional reading, which meant a reading of the beginning of Genesis and the last chapter of Deuteronomy. For this the rabbi asked if anyone had a birthday or special occasion coming up, but as there were no takers for this, at last the Rabbi did the reading herself. The Torah was then returned to its Ark again, with similar praise and worship.

The following rite was one of interest for me, as it involved the giving of Hebrew names to two very young members of the church, both probably no older than ten. The parents of the two kids explained the reason they choose those particular names to be given to their children, and I could see that the now deceased relatives were very dear to them. I understand a little clearer now why this tradition is continued in Judaic faith, to preserve the memories of deceased dear ones. Then the rabbi put her hands on the two children's shoulders, and gave them her blessing in Hebrew.

Finally, service began to draw to a close, but before it was to end, the rabbi reminded the members of the bread and wine in the kitchen. Then there was a final psalm, and the people began to go forward to the kitchen. When I got to the kitchen, I stayed outside, because I do not believe I could participate in a rite that where I am not a member. So, here the members of the congregation and wine in the company of their community of friends and peers, the Rabbi said a few words, and everyone downed it. And I thought to myself: they just performed the equivalent of a communion!

Of the entire service, I realize now that there are only three things that separate this one temple's service from being confused with a Christian church: 1) all the hymns were in Hebrew, 2) there was no actual sermon by the Rabbi, and 3) the men wore yarmulkes, which could be confused with miniature hats. Besides this, it was all very normal. Quite personally, I would like it if my church would give into classes of Hebrew and Aramaic Greek language study, and it would be interesting to sing praises in Hebrew. I left feeling in very good spirits, wishing that Christian services would turn to such services when they felt a need for variety.

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