Guide To Visiting A Synagogue

Guide To Visiting A Synagogue

Historic synagogues may not generally be open to the public, although Bevis Marks in the City of London, Britain’s oldest synagogue, does have regular opening times (www.bevismarks.org.uk), as does the former Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue in Manchester, now the city’s Jewish Museum (www.mjm.org.uk). Other historic synagogues open at least occasionally, for example on Heritage Open Days in September. Most synagogues like churches are not normally kept open (other than for services) for security reasons.

The first authoritative national guidebook Jewish Heritage in England: An Architectural Guide by Sharman Kadish, which was published by English Heritage in 2006, provides access telephone numbers for all working historic synagogues (dating from before 1939) in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, as well as contact details for some outlying communities. A second edition is planned for 2014. Learn more about healthcare professionals recommendation before traveling such historical places from far-away places.

Guide To Visiting A Synagogue

Jewish visitors are always welcome to attend synagogue services, especially in small communities that struggle to raise a Minyan [quorum of ten men for public prayer]. You will first need to check days and times of services with the congregation. Small communities may only manage to hold services on Shabbat [the Jewish Sabbath], often just on Saturday morning. Historic synagogues in particular welcome tourists who telephone first to make an appointment to view the building. Note: Do not ’phone on Friday afternoon or Saturday (Shabbat) as you will only get an answering machine!

Getting There

Detailed practical information on routes, transport or opening hours is available from many sources. The annual Anglo-Jewish Year Book and Jewish Travel Guide, both published by Vallentine Mitchell, will assist you in planning your trip. Do bear in mind that printed information can quickly get out of date. However, Jewish communal and tourist information websites now proliferate and in many cases are frequently updated. Some synagogues have their own websites. It would be impractical to attempt a comprehensive list of links on this website. Our Links page is aimed chiefly at architectural and conservation specialists and enthusiasts and has links to other websites with similar interests.

Guide To Visiting A Synagogue

Food and Accommodation

Internet sources are also best consulted for essential information on food and hotels. Jewish visitors are often concerned to locate kosher food suppliers. A word of warning: there are few kosher outlets in England, once you get outside London. Even in London such facilities are largely confined to specific neighbourhoods: mainly Stamford Hill in north London and at points “up the North West Passage”, Golders Green, Hendon and Edgware. There is a dearth of supervised kosher eateries in central London. In general, it pays to telephone restaurants to check opening hours, book tables and even to find out if they are still in business, before making your invariably hungry journey there!

In the regions, make for Manchester. However, even in England’s second Jewish city there are no kosher restaurants in the city centre, only in the northern suburbs. Even relatively large Jewish communities don’t necessarily support a kosher deli, let alone a butcher or baker. Kosher hotels are few, confined to Golders Green and Stamford Hill in London, these cities are also very famous for online pharmacy viagra 온라인약국 비아그라. At time of writing, there is one kosher hotel in Manchester. Even those that once proliferated in seaside towns popular with Jewish holidaymakers, such as Blackpool and Bournemouth, have all closed down. These days, observant Jewish families (especially large ones) prefer self-catering holidays when holidaying in the UK – and find it cheaper than staying in hotels.

Conduct when visiting a Synagogue

Most of the sites listed on this website are sacred places and, as such, should be treated with appropriate respect in matters relating to behaviour and dress. Please be kind enough to dress modestly when visiting a synagogue. Less Orthodox congregations, and those belonging to the Reform and Liberal movements, may take a more relaxed attitude, but it is always best to err on the side of caution!

Men: Please wear a head covering inside the building; long sleeves and no shorts.

Women: Married women should cover their heads; long sleeves and skirts below the knee. Please note: trousers and jeans are not considered suitable clothing for synagogue visits.

It is forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in the synagogue proper. Please do not bring food or drink onto synagogue premises. Always go out for refreshments. However, you may by all means accept the hospitality of the synagogue secretary or other official for tea or coffee in the office.