We
ended our day learning about Jewish heritage in Warsaw, by visiting the Nozyk Synagogue for Friday Shabbat service. The synagogue survived the Holocaust and
the war because it was being used as a warehouse to store stolen Jewish
valuables. I thought this fact to be ironic because the perpetrators were
stealing from the Jews, and hiding Jewish property in their own place of
worship.
Since no one in our group is Jewish, we did not
know what to expect. It was a completely new experience. The first experience
that was new was to separate according to our gender: female staff and students
went upstairs, and male staff and students made their way to pews set up on the
main floor. We learned that orthodox synagogues practice such a division. The male staff and students were also
asked to affix their Kippahs (which symbolizes that God is higher than
us), to the tops of their heads.
Many enthusiastic people who asked us where we were from welcomed
us. Everyone with us at the Shabbat service greeted us by saying “Shabbat Shalom,”
which means ‘peace be to you’. The regular congregation all knew
each other, and were very upbeat and excited.
The entire experience was amazing. Keith and Mr. Nasello danced, and rather than reading from
their holy texts, the men raised their voices in song. They turned a regular
service into an amazing celebration.
After going to the Shabbat Service I was
mesmerized by how energetic and interactive the entire service was. It was
filled with spirit and was fun, peaceful, and happy, almost like a party. At
the same time, I was confused, wondering why anybody would want to participate
in hating such beautiful and amazing people who take pride in their religion.
-Andre N.
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