Tempio Maggiore (Florence, Italy) |
The Great Synagogue (Sydney, Australia) |
“Where are you going?”
“To synagogue.”
“Where are you from?”
I paused, because I’m never really sure of that answer any more. “New York. I work for New York University, I’m visiting.”
“Where do you go to synagogue?”
Again, I faltered. There were too many answers to that question. “Well, I’m originally from Seattle and there I went to Shevet Achim.”
“Who is your rabbi?”
In Seattle? New York? “Well, it’s complicated, but Rabbi Yehuda Sarna.”
“Ok, and do you keep Shabbat?”
“Yes”
“Do you have ID?” Trick question.
“No, but I emailed my passport copy to the shul on Thursday.”
“OK, and is there anything in your pockets?”
Just my hands, I showed them. Convinced, they radioed inside and the doors opened. Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation |
Although it is by far the most recent foreign synagogue visit, my memory of the entrance is the least clear of these 3. It was Ireland, so there may have been some drinking either before or after. Unlike either Great Synagogue above, this one is somewhat hidden and in a residential area. I believe it is fenced, but this was open when we arrived for services. There may have been a member greeting people at the door. Unfortunately, we did not make it to a Belfast synagogue.