The Syna-blogue

  Torah Portion: Noach Synagogue: Shira Chadasha (Partnership Orthodox) Walking time from home: 25 minutes Reason for going: Old favourite Kiddush: Small but plentiful with two Cholents! In many shules across the country and no doubt around the world, this Shabbat was considered the first quiet one since before the start of the Jewish holy day season some two months ago. Whilst last week was the first portion of the year, the portion of Bereshit also signified the official transition to a new board, so although it was not a festival, it was still busy for the rabbi and the board. This week however, after the first week without any religious disruptions for a month, synagogues settled back into their normal routines, and therefore in some shules, it was actually the first opportunity for months that some rabbis could take time off. I know of at least a few rabbis wh...

  Torah Portion: Bereshit Synagogue: Blake Street (Orthodox, moderate) Walking time from home: 40 minutes, in the rain Reason for going: Speaker from overseas Kiddush: Plentiful and delicious with two cakes! The first Torah portion of the year is a good opportunity to start something new, and thus I am starting this blog, where each week before Monday morning I will be posting about the synagogue I went to and the experience I had there. For me, going to synagogue has become a weekly obligation, particularly on a Shabbat morning, but as a result of my experiences and pursuits over the last decade or so here and abroad, I now go to a different synagogue each week irrespective of the denomination. Sure, the majority are and will always be orthodox, but that is largely because I live in Melbourne, Australia, where the majority of shules in all of our major cities are or...