#synagogue etiquette

[magnetothemagnificent]

so when the torah is read from during services, can one like, follow along in a chumash (i hope that is the correct word) or like in a book copy of the tanakh? or do you just typically listen to what is being read?

thank you in advance for your time! i’m thinking about converting and your blog has been so helpful! thank you again!

It's absolutely recommended and even admirable to follow along in a Chumash, it shows you're paying attention! Most synagogues have multiple copies of the Chumash, with English translations side by side with the Hebrew text. Often someone will call out the page number of the Torah portion in the Chumash and how to follow along, too.

Good luck!!

[ask-jumblr]

i sent an email to my local synagogue twice asking about conversion and if it was possible taking part in the zoom services etc but they never answered... should i try a third time? if yes, what should i write this time ? i'm afraid that they didnt take the conversion question seriously because i think it is fairly rare where i live...

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[ask-jumblr]

im very interested in converting to reform judaism but i don't know where to start– more as in, i know i have to contact a rabbi to help me start, but i don't know how to start that email 🙇🏻‍♀️so i'm wondering what's a good way to ask about conversion in an email?

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[ask-jumblr]

Im interested in converting, and i want to try attending some services. The thing is Ive got really bad anxiety and am really nervous about actually going. I want to try emailing the synagogue that im thinking about going to to ask about like what to wear, what to expect, etc. Im really nervous about just writing the email, though, and need some advice. I've seen at least a couple posts about this sort of thing before, but i cant seem to find them. (FOR: mainly reform, but any advice is welcome)

[ask-jumblr]

I'm a reform conversion student, but i also travel a lot backpacking, and am looking forward to spending time with jewish communities all around the world when possible on shabbat and during jewish holidays where i may be away from my home community, but sometimes all a place has is an orthodox community, and since i'm converting reform, i was wondering if they would be ok with me observing with them? I know every community is different, but generally speaking?

Mod here. Respondents, please don’t speak for a community/FOR that’s not your own. 

Much thanks! (Todah rabah!)  !תּוֹדָה רַבָּה

[ask-jumblr]

Would it be wrong for a Conservative convert to attend an Orthodox service without disclosing that they’re a non-Orthodox convert? I’d mostly like to hear Orthodox thoughts on this.

Mod here. Given the nature of this question, only Orthodox FORs are really all that relevant.

[ask-jumblr]

ive been looking into conversion for a couple months, but i recently mustered the courage to ask my family if i could go to synagogue this friday- and they said yes! i emailed the rabbi a few days back to explain my first attendance as well as ask some basic questions, and he still hasnt responded. we're in a pretty safe area, and i dont believe theyre under security- would it be okay for me to still go friday, even if the rabbi doesnt write back? would i look strange? FOR: reform.

[ask-jumblr]

As a modicum conversion student, I occasionally go to a recon shul when I can’t make it home in time to change and get out again for sunset in winter (my rabbi is fine with this short term) , and I’ve mentioned I’m a conversion student to some folks there but to some people I just say my mom is german/hungarian but I didn’t grow up Jewish and usually they assume she was Jewish but non observant based on that. Should I be correcting them? I have also said I’m a student but people have asked me

to lead prayers or offer me aliyot (and I decline) or call me a Jew and Idk if they’re just being kind and inclusive or if I’m misleading people inappropriately. Explicitly stating I grew up catholic and am converting is exhausting to explain(people love asking about this) and it’s not even my home shul but also it seems people are assuming I come from an unconfirmed matrilineal line and am converting purely for halacha (which, I do have Jewish ancestry on my moms side, but on her dad’s side)

Mod here! Anon, hasn’t stated what branch they’re converting through, nor requested a Reconstructionist FOR specifically, so I’m not going to limit this post by FOR. However, please do state the FOR of your answer. 

Much thanks! (Todah rabah!)  !תּוֹדָה רַבָּה 

**Update that anon meant Modern Orthodox