Beth El-Atereth

As my research for this blog comes to an end, I decided to go to Boston to witness another Orthodox service. A large part of my interest in researching Orthodox Judaism, especially in relation to Reform Judaism, originated from my encounters in Israel with the Orthodox community, specifically at Shabbat services. I traveled on Friday night April 18 to Newton, MA to Congregation Beth El-Atereth, not knowing what to expect. I dressed conservatively to be respectful to their beliefs. Upon my arrival, I was immediately welcomed by the entire community, and even the males were friendly to me. It is a more progressive Orthodox community. I took a seat in one of the two women’s sections. I understand their belief that women and men must pray separately, but I respect the congregation because they offered two sections for women. The synagogue is shaped like a semi-cricle with the arc and bimah (where the Torah is read) in the middle. This way women can see it as well. Both men and women pray on the same level; men sit in the middle section and women sit on the two sides next to the walls. Surrounding the men’s section, there was still a mechitza (seperation wall); however, the top half was partially open. This way, women still feel part of the community when praying.
While this synagogue is still different than what I am used to, I have a better understanding of why they pray this way, and I respect the congregation’s effort to create and equality between men and women. Even though I was surrounded completely by women, which is different than the way I pray at home, I did not feel isolated the way I had in Israel. I felt part of a smaller, closer knit community of women who immediately included me in their Shabbat prayers. I enjoyed my experience at Beth El-Atereth, and I felt that they accepted me as a complete Jew. Yes, they do not know my background, but we showed each other mutual respect.