#nonbinary hebrew project

[magnetothemagnificent]

Do you have thoughts on the Nonbinary Hebrew Project? https://www.nonbinaryhebrew.com/grammar-systematics

I've known about it for a while and I think it's pretty cool! I personally think its systematics make more sense than other suggestions/movements people have made, such the creation of new letters which is more common/being tested in Israel. I find the grammar laid out in the Nonbinary Hebrew Project to be a lot simpler and I think would be a lot easier in terms of typing (new characters is obviously a challenge for typing and digitizing) and incorporating into daily use. The new letters are really only used in signage, because they can't really be distinguished in speech, and thus really aren't helpful, where as the Nonbinary Hebrew Project's system can be integrated into both text and speech.

#jumblr #trans #trans jews #nonbinary jews #nonbinary hebrew project #hebrew #language

[whatlieswithintheorchard]

Everyone!!! Check out Volume II of this wonderful siddur!!!!

Siddur Or veShalom is the second volume of Siddur Masorti, a new Sefaradi siddur. Siddur Or veShalom contains the liturgy for Shabbat and Festivals and is a part of our first ever community partnership with Congregation Or veShalom in Atlanta, Georgia.

"The Siddur offers a new, fluid, and gender sensitive translation of the text, a transliteration according to Sefaradi pronunciation, and a running commentary. It seems that one could not wish for more, yet there are many more pearls of wisdom and excitement to be found by the traveler in the magical paths of this Siddur."

It celebrates traditional Sefaradi liturgy, inclusive of a diversity of Sephardi/Mizraḥi customs and filled with beautiful piyyutim (songs and poetry) and psalm texts. But accessibility is at its core, with an unprecedented full transliteration, guiding commentary, and adaptations for use by all genders.

#jewish #prayerbook #nonbinary trans #mewish #judaism #jewish-lgbtq #lgbtq #religion #queer Judaism #gender inclusive #queer #trans #sefardí #mizrahi #jumblr #jewish tumblr #nonbinary #nonbinary hebrew project #Noam Sienna #queer theology #lgbtq theology #inclusive

[koheletgirl]

you have no idea how badly i wish hebrew had a valid nonbinary option and people who are working to change that are literally my heroes but please please if you dont use hebrew on a day to day basis and only read/write it with nikud dont come here and act like it's simple

#like again all these projects are great but #well for one a lot of them dont work in writing. unless you write with nikud which. you dont #and the ones that do work in writing work only in writing. it's not a big deal im used to the את.ה system but again you cant talk like that #the inclusive font is great but it's a font. i think it should be used everywhere but again it's just a font #and when youre talking about spoken hebrew you need to understand that 1. hebrew has more exceptions to rules than rules and #2. the nonbinary hebrew project - for instance - is almost like learning a new language #like i cant even tell you if i think its a valid option just from reading about it bc i will need A While to learn how to use it #and i want to! but please dont act like it's simple #also this is all talk bc i.srael isnt going in that direction anyway. but that's besides the point

[roboromantic]

.

#oof yeah I haven't read through all of Svara's trans halacha project stuff yet but what I have read is uh. #supremely not for me #not to mention who tf approved the 'nonbinary' blessing saying '...who created me masculine & feminine'. #and the further use of the Nonbinary Hebrew Project even tho native speakers have pointed out issues with it 😬 #I might do a huge liveblog/critique later idk. also been tempted to do it w/that one siddur that came out a while back

[scrumpster]

Jewish Resources (Assorted)

Since my last post seemed to be helpful to a lot of people, I thought I’d make another to share some additional resources. This list includes a bunch of stuff, meant for Jewish people in general. I would definitely encourage you to explore them! There’s a lot of useful stuff here. Goyim are welcome to reblog, just please be respectful if you’re adding tags or comments. Jewish Multiracial Network, an organization for multiracial Jewish families and Jews of Color Sefaria, a free virtual library of Jewish texts Sephardic Studies Digital Library Museum “The SSDC includes key books, archival documents, and audio recordings that illuminate the history, culture, literature, politics, customs, music, and cuisine of Sephardic Jews all expressed in their own language, Ladino.” (from their website) The SMQN, an organization for LGBTQ+ Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews Keshet, a group for LGBTQ+ Jews JQY, a group for LGBTQ+ Jews with a focus on those in Orthodox communities  Queer Jews of Color Resource List (note: this list is way more than just resources, there’s a LOT there) JQ International: “JQ celebrates the lives of LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies by transforming Jewish communities and ensuring inclusion through community building, educational programs, and support and wellness services, promoting the healthy integration of LGBTQ+ and Jewish identities.” (from their website) Jews of Color Initiative, an organization dedicated to teaching about intersectionality in the Jewish community, focuses on research, philanthropy, field building, and community education Nonbinary Hebrew Project: It’s hard to describe, but they’re working to find/create/add suffixes that represent nonbinary genders in Hebrew. If you speak Hebrew/another gendered language, you might know what I mean about gendered suffixes. Jewish Mysticism Reading List  (These are related to our closed practices, goyim should NOT be practicing these things) Ritualwell (you can find prayers and blessings related to specific things here, I personally like that they have blessings related to gender identity)  Guimel, an LGBTQ+ support group for the Jewish Community in Mexico. The site is in Spanish. I’m not a native speaker, but I was still able to read a little bit of it.  SVARA: “SVARA’s mission is to empower queer and trans people to expand Torah and tradition through the spiritual practice of Talmud study.” (From their website) TransTorah is definitely an older website, but there are still some miscellaneous pdfs and resources up on the “Resources” page. Jewish Disabilities Advocates: “The JFS Jewish Disabilities Advocates program was created to raise awareness and further inclusion of people with disabilities within Jewish organizations and the larger Jewish community.” (from their website) Jewish Food Society (recipes, have not spent a lot of time browsing here but maybe I should in the future) Jewish Blind & Disabled, an organization that operates mainly in providing accessible housing and living. Jewish Braille Institute International: “The JBI Library provides individuals who are blind, visually impaired, physically handicapped or reading disabled with books, magazines and special publications of Jewish and general interest in Audio, Large Print and Braille formats.” (from their website) Their services are free!)

#jumblr #jewish resources #jewish #lgbtq resources #disability resources #jews of color resources #jewish bipoc resources #judaism #jewblr #jewish community #sephardic #mizrahim #nonbinary jews #jews of color #lgbtq jews #trans jews #disabled jews #multiracial jews #sephardi jewish #sephardi #mizrahi jewish #mizrahim jewish #mizrahi

[notaplaceofhonour]

Question for nonbinary jumblr:

I’m nonbinary & need a gender neutral alternative to aunt/uncle for my nieces & nephews to call me. I know English has “auncle” & “pibling” but both sound uncomfortable to my ear. My instinct to construct an at least natural-sounding equivalent would be to go back to the etymological root for aunt & uncle to reconstruct a version that isn’t gendered. The problem is, aunt & uncle don’t share an etymological root, so this isn’t really possible.

On the other hand, דודה & דוד in Hebrew clearly do share etymology & seem like they would relatively easy to make gender neutral (besides the obvious that “gender neutral” isn’t how Hebrew typically works lol). However, I’m aware that there’s a project/movement to Queer Hebrew / introduce non-binary gender to it, and I’m curious if anyone knows what would be a way to make דודה / דוד gender-neutral?

#i’d really appreciate it #or ​if there’s a way of doing the same in yiddish that would also be helpful #jumblr #nonbinary #non-binary hebrew #non-binary jewish #trans jewish #queer jews #hebrew #ישראבלר #yiddish #language #linguistics #queer language

[spacelazarwolf]

love that anon is so upset about trans converts meanwhile when i talked to my rabbi about how i was questioning my gender & stressing about picking my name she was like 'do you want a gender neutral name? we will Make you a gender neutral name'

eventually we decided on one feminine and one masculine name and m'beit (thank you nonbinary hebrew project) instead of ben or bat and it was literally fine with everyone involved

nice!!!

#ask avishai

[jewish-lgbtq]

Because Hebrew is a gendered language, the Nonbinary Hebrew Project has created a third grammatical gender system! They are building a bigger tent for nonbinary Jews, guided by Torah and Talmud which teach us to rejoice that which cannot be neatly categorized.

The project is free, open-source, community-based, and grassroots. It lives and grows and changes with every single person who uses and adds to it.

Here are some example usages: Candlelighting Blessing: with gender-expansive God language

בְּרוּךֶ אָתֶה ײַ, אֱלֹהִימוֹתֵינוּ מַלְכֶּת הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשֶׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶיהֶ וְצִוֶנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַבָּת

Bruche ateh Adonai, Elohimoteinu Malket ha’Olam asher kidshenu b’mitzvoteihe, v’tzivenu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat. Blessed are You, God, Ruler of the universe, who sanctified us with the commandment of lighting Shabbat candles.

~~~

Kiddush: with gender-expansive God language

בְּרוּךֶ אָתֶה ײַ,  אֱלֹהִימוֹתֵינוּ מַלְכֶּת הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרָאת פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן

Bruche ateh Adonai, Elohimoteinu Malket ha’Olam, borat p’ri hagafen. Blessed are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

~~~

Blessing over Bread: with gender-expansive God language

בְּרוּךֶ אָתֶה ײַ, אֱלֹהִימוֹתֵינוּ מַלְכֶּת הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיאֶה לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ

Bruche ateh Adonai, Elohimoteinu Malket ha’Olam, Hamotzi'e lechem min ha'aretz. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has brought forth bread from the earth.

~~~

Waking-up Blessing: with gender-expansive language for the speaker, but traditional God language

מודֶת אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם, שֶׁהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְּחֶמְלָה, רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ:

Modet ani l'fanecha, melech chai v'kayam, shechezarta bi nishmati, b'chemla, raba emunatecha.

I give thanks before you, King living and eternal, for You have returned within me my soul with compassion; abundant is Your faithfulness!

~~~

Morning Blessing substitutions: with gender-expansive language for the speaker, but traditional God language

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁעָשַׂנִי בֶּת חוֹרין

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-Olam, she-asani bet chorin.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has made me free. ~~~

Soulmate Blessing: written by Ariel Ezekiel Tovlev, with gender-expansive language for the speaker's soulmate, but traditional God language

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֶת יְדִידֶת נַפְשִׁי

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, asher asah et yedidet nafshi. Blessed are You, Ruler of the Universe, who created the companion of my soul.

~~~

Wedding-Enacting Words: with gender-expansive language for the one the speaker is marrying and for the ring, but traditional God language

הרי אתה מקדשה לי, בטבעת זת, כדת משה וישראל

Harei ateh m’kudesheh li, b’tabaet zet, k’dat Moshe v’Yisrael.

Behold, you are sanctified to me, with this ring, according to Moses and Israel. ~~~ For more examples, as well as charts explaining the grammar system, check out the website! A note from Jewish-LGBTQ: The Nonbinary Hebrew Project is primarily being created in the diaspora and is used for ritual purposes; queer communities in Israel have their own system for creating gender-expansive Hebrew. The Nonbinary Hebrew Project should be understood as creating a third grammatical gender for liturgical and ritual Hebrew, rather than for everyday, spoken Modern Hebrew.

#jumblr #jewish #queer #queer jewish #nonbinary hebrew project #nonbinary #nonbinary jewish #trans

[progressivejudaism]

I can’t believe that I’ve never posted this here--  this is a thing.   An important thing.   If you are learning Hebrew / know Hebrew, please check this out.  Let’s help this movement to grow.

#hebrew #ivrit #jewish #judaism #nonbinary hebrew project #hebrew grammar

[queerkeitcoven]

#nonbinary hebrew project #transkeit #resources #hebrew

[dksartz]

I’m having to redo the lines for parts of chapter 4 because i did lines and colors and then...had to resize panels and the quality went shitty, so. redrawing stuff i’d decided was done prematurely... otl

but hey, 20 pages inked now! :D  

(also decided to throw in some hebrew - script, not print - there on the invite, it says ‘ben tamir’ which means son of tamir, i’m using it as their family’s last name here.)

 i feel like how i draw eitan changes so much from panel to panel, even on the same page??? o_o

#comics #wip #original story #dragonrider story #nonbinary character #nb oc #eitan oc #eitan and zahav #lineart #their closest neighbors’ last name is just. meir. for comparison. #i totally forgot how to write a mem in hebrew script so i had to friggen google it welp #dksartz #projects #comic #dragonrider oc #nonbinary dragonrider #not a doodle #ocs #original character #original characters #naomi oc #i just changed the title for chapter 4! #it was originally the invitation but that doesnt tell you ANYTHING about the chapter at all and that's not helpful #had some help and came up with The Bonding Cave which tells you the Setting! #the invitation just...describes what's in the picture on the page. it doesnt tell you anything about the chapter #what is the invitation for? who knows! wait where are they going?? you dont have a clue! #if i say bonding cave you get that okay this invitation in the picture must be for something happening at the bonding cave whatever it is #and you turn the page and see them going somewhere and it looks like a cave...and then bleachers? #and next page you will see where they are! #much better combo of text and visual storytelling now yes

[magnetothemagnificent]

do you know anything about ways to neutrally gender myself in Hebrew? I’ve been switching between masculine and feminine words (per a suggestion from a friend of mine whose first language is Hebrew) but I don’t love it as I would prefer to be ungendered.

There's many different movements and programs to add gender neutral pronouns and grammar to Hebrew, a bunch of them are outlined in this thread here :)

I personally like the Nonbinary Hebrew Project best, although it's not something that's caught on in Israel and is more US-based. I find the system really straight-forward and logical, and easier on the eyes to read.

But there's a few options out there, and you can figure out what works best for you :)

#hebrew #nonbinary #gender neutral language #nonbinary jews #language #jumblr #queer jews #trans jews

[whatlieswithintheorchard]

Nonbinary Hebrew Chanting Minyan

Friday, November 11, 9:00-9:45am PST on Zoom

Do you have a hard time with patriarchal language in liturgy? With an anthropomorphic male God figure? Do you love chanting or are you chanting-curious?

Join a morning minyan that is accessible to all and uses entirely nonbinary Hebrew and names for the Divine. All prayers will be in transliteration or English, so come even if Hebrew is new to you!

This minyan is a joint effort between SZ and Moishe House Rockridge in Oakland.

Join the Meeting: Zoom link

#jewish #jumblr #jewish tumblr #nb #nonbinary #trans #nonbinary hebrew project #nonbinary language #nonbinary hebrew #jewish lgbtq

[genderkoolaid]

hey from one nonbinary transmasc to another, do u have theology from a jewish perspective? i've been thinking a lot about converting for a few years now <3

converting transmasc nb anon here, meant to include trans theology to that last ask, sorry for the mixup

Yes I do!!

The Soul of the Stranger: Reading G-d and the Torah from a Transgender Perspective by Joy Ladin

Mishkan Ga'avah: Where Pride Dwells

Torah Queeries: Weekly Commentaries on the Hebrew Bible

A Rainbow Thread: An Anthology of Queer Jewish Texts from the First Century to 1969 by Noam Sienna

On Beyond Gender: Representation of God in the Torah and in Three Recent Renditions into English by Rabbi David Stein

Gender Representation in Biblical Hebrew by Rabbi David Stein

Not specifically theology, but stuff on trans jews in general:

Berel-Beyle: The 19th century Jewish transgender man from Krivozer in Ukraine

This video will feature women and transgender Jews teaching you how to wear tefillin

Poem by a jewish trans woman written in 1322

"And His Name Shall Be Called Something Hard to Remember", by Daniel Mallory Ortberg

@jewish-lgbtq's whole blog

Nonbinary Hebrew Project & their whole resources page

TransTorah & their whole resources page

Trans Halakha Project

Best of luck on your spiritual journey, anon! I hope you find this helpful :)

#m. #ask box #religion

[a-queer-seminarian]

Pinned Post with info about me, links to my work, and a list of this blog’s most commonly used tags!

I’m Avery (they or ze pronouns), I’m in my late 20s, autistic, and graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2019.

Since then, I’ve just been working on my various little pockets of online ministry centered around Bible translation, LGBTQA+ theology, disability theology, and interfaith relationships. i love talking about all this stuff so reach out to me if you have questions or ideas or whatnot!

Find my various projects:

blessedarethebinarybreakers.com holds my timeline of gender diversity throughout the Bible + Christian history! It’s also where you can find information about my multifaith podcast of transgender stories, with links for where to listen + read transcripts.

binarybreakingworship is where i keep liturgy i’ve written + some other content that you can use for free in your own worship services, with permission. My liturgy tends to have fun with pronouns and gendered language for God, and is inclusive of nonbinary folk.

@blessedarethebinarybreakers is my advice blog — head on over there if you have any questions about faith, gender/sexuality, disability, interfaith stuff, Bible stuff...

On my YouTube channel, I post videos about queer theology, disability theology, studying the Bible when you don’t know biblical Hebrew or Greek, and more!

I’ve also got a Twitter and an Instagram, though I don’t use either very often.

Organizational Tags

Some of the tags i use most often on this blog:

#seminary - stuff about what seminary is like, including advice for how to pick a seminary, whether it’s right for you, how to get money to attend, issues i had in seminary...

#log - usually stuff about my own life

#chatting tag

#quote tag

#resources

#preaching material - stuff i gather mostly for myself that i think i might use in a sermon one day

#teaching material - ditto, but for future classes / workshops

#interfaith

#antisemitism

#disability theology

#trans theology

#bible tag

My Masterposts!

Masterpost of posts on my other blog about queerness, God, the Bible, interfaith stuff, and more

Masterpost of autistic stuff, from stimming to self diagnosis to finding community

Masterpost of Disability & Ministry Resources

Anti-Racist Resources for Christians

Advice + Resources for Chaplains ministering to LGBTQA+ persons

Masterpost of sermons I’ve preached (not always fully up to date so you might also check out my youtube for newest ones)

Masterpost of resources a nonbinary/genderqueer/otherwise trans person can use to help people understand and affirm them from both “secular” and Christian perspectives

A few resources on intersectionality

A “table of contents” for all of Austen Hartke’s Transgender & Christian videos so that it’s easier to figure out what video says what

#about me #log

[benevolentbirdgal]

“Thirteen″ Tips for Writing About Synagogues / Jewish Writing Advice / Advice for Visiting Synagogues

So your story includes a Jew (or two) and you’ve a got a scene in a synagogue. Maybe there’s a bar mitzvah, maybe your gentile protagonist is visiting their partner’s synagogue. Maybe there’s a wedding or a community meeting being held there. For whatever reason, you want a scene in a shul. I’m here as your friendly (virtual) neighborhood Jewish professional to help you not sound like a gentile who thinks a synagogue is just a church with a Star of David instead of a cross. 

Quick note: The are lots of synagogues around the world, with different specific cultural, local, and denominational practices. The Jewish community is made up of roughly 14 million people worldwide with all sorts of backgrounds, practices, life circumstances, and beliefs. I’m just one American Jew, but I’ve had exposure to Jewishness in many forms after living in 3.5 states (at several different population densities/layouts), attending Jewish day school and youth groups, doing Jewish college stuff, and landing a job at a Jewish non-profit. I’m speaking specifically in an American or Americanish context, though some of this will apply elsewhere as well. I’m also writing from the view of Before Times when gatherings and food and human contact was okay.

Bear in mind as well, in this discussion, the sliding scale of traditional observance to secular/liberal observance in modern denominations: Ultraorthodox (strict tradition), Modern Orthodox (Jewish law matters but we live in a modern world), Conservative (no relation to conservative politics, brands itself middle ground Judaism), Reconstructionist (start with Jewish law and then drop/add bits to choose your own adventure), and Reform (true build your own adventure, start at basically zero and incorporate only as you actively choose).

Synagogue = shul = temple. Mikvah (ritual bath) is its own thing and usually not attached to the shul. Jewish cemeteries are also typically nowhere near the shul, because dead bodies are considered impure.   

A Bar/Bat/Bnai Mitzvah is the Jewish coming of age ceremony. Bar (“son”) for boys at 13+, Bat (“daughter”) at 12+, and Bnai (“children”) for multiples (i.e. twins/triplets/siblings) or non-binary kids (although the use of the phrase “Bnai Mitzvah” this way is pretty new). 12/13 is the minimum, 12-14 the norm but very Reform will sometimes allow 11 and anybody above 12/13 can have theirs. Probably a dedicated post for another time. Generally, however, the following will happen: the kid will lead some parts of services, read from and/or carry the Torah, and make a couple of speeches. 

Attire: think Sunday Best (in this case Saturday), not come as you are. Even at very liberal reconstructionist/reform synagogues you wouldn’t show up in jeans and a t-shirt or work overalls. Unless they are seriously disconnected from their culture, your Jewish character is not coming to Saturday morning services in sneakers and jeans (their gentile guest, however, might come too casual and that’d be awkward).  1a. The more traditional the denomination, the more modest the attire. Outside of orthodoxy woman may wear pants, but dresses/skirts are more common. Tights for anything above knee common for Conservative/Reform/Recon, common for even below knee for orthodox shuls. Men will typically be wearing suits or close to it, except in very Reform spaces.  1b. Really, think business casual or nice dinner is the level of dressiness here for regular services. Some minor holidays or smaller events more casual is fine. Social events and classes casual is fine too.  1c. Even in reform synagogues, modesty is a thing. Get to the knee or close to it. No shoulders (this an obsession in many Jewish religious spaces for whatever reason), midriffs, or excessive cleavage (as I imagine to be the norm in most houses of worship). 

Gendered clothing:  3a. Men and boys wear kippahs (alt kippot, yarmulkes) in synagogues, regardless of whether they’re Jewish or not out of respect to the space. Outside of Jewish spaces it’s saying “I’m a Jew” but inside of Jewish spaces it’s saying “I’m a Jew or a gentile dude who respects the Jewish space.”  Outside of very Reform shuls, it’s a major faux pass to be a dude not wearing one.  3b. There are little buckets of loaner kippahs if you don’t bring your own and commemorative kippahs are given away at events (bar mitzvah, weddings). Your Jewish dude character not bringing or grabbing one is basically shouting “I’m new here.”  3c. Women are permitted to wear kippahs, but the adoption of a the traditionally masculine accessory will likely be interpreted by other Jews as LGBTQ+ presentation, intense feminism, and/or intense but nontraditional devoutness. Nobody will clutch their pearls (outside of ultraorthodoxy) but your character is sending a message.  3d. Tefillin are leather boxes and wrappings with prayers inside them that some Jewish men wrap around their arms (no under bar mitzvah or gentiles). Like with the kippah, a woman doing this is sending a message of feminism and/or nontraditional religious fervor.  3e. Additionally, prayer shawls, known as tallit, are encouraged/lightly expected of Jewish males (over 13) but not as much as Kippahs are. It is more common to have a personal set of tallit than tefillin. Blue and white is traditional, but they come in all sorts of fun colors and patterns now. Mine is purple and pink. It is much more common for women to have tallit and carries much fewer implications about their relationship to Judaism than wearing a kippah does.  3f. Married woman usually cover their hair in synagogues. Orthodox women will have wigs or full hair covers, but most Jewish woman will put a token scarf or doily on their head in the synagogue that doesn’t actually cover their hair. The shul will also have a doily loaner bucket. 

Jewish services are long (like 3-4 hours on a Saturday morning), but most people don’t get there until about the 1-1.5 hour mark. Your disconnected Jewish character or their gentile partner might not know that though. 

Although an active and traditional synagogue will have brief prayers three times every day, Torah services thrice a week, holiday programming, and weekly Friday night and Saturday morning services, the latter is the thing your Jewish character is most likely attending on the reg. A typical Saturday morning service will start with Shacharit (morning prayers) at 8:30-9, your genre savvy not-rabbi not-Bnai mitzvah kid Jewish character will get there around 9:30-10:15. 10:15-10:30 is the Torah service, which is followed by additional prayers. Depending on the day of the Jewish year (holidays, first day of new month, special shabbats), they’ll be done by 12:30 or 1 p.m. Usually.  After that is the oneg, a communal meal. Onegs start with wine and challah, and commence with a full meal. No waiting 4-8 hours to have a covered-dish supper after services. The oneg, outside of very, very, very Reform spaces will be kosher meat or kosher dairy. 

To conduct certain prayers (including the mourner’s prayers and the Torah service) you need a Minyan, which at least 10 Jewish “adults” must be present, defined as post Bar/Bat/Bnai Mitzvah. In Conservative/Reform/Recon, men and women are counted equally. In Ultraorthodox women are not counted. In Modern Orthodox it depends on the congregation, and some congregations will hold women’s-only services as well with at least ten “adult” Jewish women present.

In Conservative and Orthodox shuls, very little English is used outside of speeches and sermons. Prayers are in Hebrew, which many Jews can read the script of but not understand. Transliterations are also a thing.  In Reform synagogues, there’s heavy reliance on the lingua franca (usually English in American congregations). Reconstructionist really varies, but is generally more Hebrew-based than Reform. 

We’re a very inquisitive people. If your character is new to the synagogue, there will be lots of questions at the post-services oneg (meal, typically brunch/lunch). Are you new in town? Have you been here before? Where did you come from? Are you related to my friend from there? How was parking? Do you know my cousin? Are you single? What is your mother’s name? What do you think of the oneg - was there enough cream cheese? What summer camp did you go to? Can you read Hebrew? Have you joined?  A disconnected Jew or gentile might find it overwhelming, but many connected Jews who are used to it would be like “home sweet chaos” because it’s OUR chaos. 

In Orthodox synagogues, men and women have separate seating sections. There may be a balcony or back section, or there may be a divider known as a mechitzah in the middle. Children under 12/13 are permitted on either side, but over 12/13 folks have to stay one section or the other. Yes, this is a problem/challenge for trans and nonbinary Jews.  Mechitzahs are not a thing outside of orthodoxy. Some older Conservative synagogues will have women’s sections, but no longer expect or enforce this arrangement.   

Money. Is. Not. Handled. On. Shabbat. Or. Holidays. Especially. Not. In. The. Synagogue. Seriously, nothing says “goy writing Jews” more than a collection plate in shul. No money plate, no checks being passed around, even over calls for money (as opposed to just talking about all the great stuff they do and upcoming projects) are tacky and forbidden on Shabbat. Synagogues rely on donations and dues, and will solicit from members, but don’t outright request money on holidays and Shabbat. 

Outside of Reform and very nontraditional Conservative spaces, no instruments on Shabbat or holidays. No clapping either. Same goes for phones, cameras, and other electronics outside of microphones (which aren’t permitted in Orthodox services either).  11a. In the now-times an increasing number of shuls have set up cameras ahead of time pre-programmed to record, so they don’t have to actively “make fire” which is “work” (this is the relevant commandment/mitzvah) on Shabbat, so services can be live-streamed. 11b. After someone has completed an honor (reading from the Torah, carrying the Torah, opening the ark, etc), the appropriate response is a handshake after and the words “Yasher Koach” (again, Before-Times).

Jewish services involve a lot of movement. Get up, sit down. Look behind you, look in front of you. Twist left, twist right. A disconnected Jew or gentile visitor would be best off just trying to follow along with what an exchange student we had once termed “Jewish choreography.” Some prayers are standing prayers (if able), some are sitting prayers. It’s just how it is, although a handful of prayers have variations on who stands. 

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