How to Be Respectful in a Jewish Environment
Familiarize yourself with the 5 main branches of Judaism., Understand that in Chasidic and Orthodox Judaism, Jews generally wear modest attire that is not overly revealing., Be aware that Chasidic and Orthodox Jewish men and women sit separately in...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the 5 main branches of Judaism.
They are, from most stringent to least observant:
Chasidic (Hasidic), Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist.
Keep in mind that each of these main branches have several sub-branches with varying degrees of differences.
Ask your Jewish friends which branch(es) they practice and how to behave. -
Step 2: Understand that in Chasidic and Orthodox Judaism
This is especially pertinent to women who (at least publicly) will not wear clothing showing cleavage.
On Shabbat and Jewish holidays, they wear their best formal clothes.
Married women wear wigs or headscarves, while men wear yarmulkes or kippot (skullcaps) on their heads at all times.
Only the men wear tallit (prayer shawls) during services. , They also have only male rabbis and cantors, and they often (though not always) have prayer books (siddurim) in Hebrew only.
Hebrew is read from right to left, the opposite direction to English, and the pages in the prayer books open at what would be the back of an English language book.
Some of the men wear their prayer shawls over their heads and move in different directions while praying. , Sometimes, there are female clergy, and some of the women wear skullcaps and prayer shawls just like the men
- and the men don't always wear skullcaps on their heads! , This is done as a sign of respect to God, so stand up when everyone else does. , If you're a man, wear a dress suit with a tie and dress shoes.
If you're a woman, wear your best hairstyle, dressy dress, simple shoes, simple makeup, and simple jewelry. , If you have to go to the bathroom, step out and come back quietly.
Also, make sure you turn off your cellphone before entering the synagogue. -
Step 3: Jews generally wear modest attire that is not overly revealing.
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Step 4: Be aware that Chasidic and Orthodox Jewish men and women sit separately in their synagogues.
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Step 5: Be aware that in other synagogues
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Step 6: everyone sits together
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Step 7: and the prayer books have both Hebrew and English
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Step 8: so you can read the English while listening to the Hebrew.
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Step 9: Know that Jews stand during certain parts of the service
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Step 10: such as when the Ark of the Covenant is open and for specific prayers.
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Step 11: Dress appropriately.
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Step 12: Don't make noise during the services.
Detailed Guide
They are, from most stringent to least observant:
Chasidic (Hasidic), Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist.
Keep in mind that each of these main branches have several sub-branches with varying degrees of differences.
Ask your Jewish friends which branch(es) they practice and how to behave.
This is especially pertinent to women who (at least publicly) will not wear clothing showing cleavage.
On Shabbat and Jewish holidays, they wear their best formal clothes.
Married women wear wigs or headscarves, while men wear yarmulkes or kippot (skullcaps) on their heads at all times.
Only the men wear tallit (prayer shawls) during services. , They also have only male rabbis and cantors, and they often (though not always) have prayer books (siddurim) in Hebrew only.
Hebrew is read from right to left, the opposite direction to English, and the pages in the prayer books open at what would be the back of an English language book.
Some of the men wear their prayer shawls over their heads and move in different directions while praying. , Sometimes, there are female clergy, and some of the women wear skullcaps and prayer shawls just like the men
- and the men don't always wear skullcaps on their heads! , This is done as a sign of respect to God, so stand up when everyone else does. , If you're a man, wear a dress suit with a tie and dress shoes.
If you're a woman, wear your best hairstyle, dressy dress, simple shoes, simple makeup, and simple jewelry. , If you have to go to the bathroom, step out and come back quietly.
Also, make sure you turn off your cellphone before entering the synagogue.
About the Author
Sophia Nguyen
Sophia Nguyen specializes in architecture and design and has been creating helpful content for over 2 years. Sophia is committed to helping readers learn new skills and improve their lives.
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