One of the fundamental differences I have found between Jewish life in America (and from what I have heard, most of the Diaspora) and Jewish life in Israel is the role of the Shull (synagogue).  In America, regardless of one’s affiliation (Orthodox, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, etc.), the synagogue has always played a pivotal role for the Jewish community and for Jewish life.  Hebrew school, advanced Jewish learning classes, social activities, dovening (praying), charity events, fund raisers, community outreach and even group trips are just a few of the myriad of services a shull offers in the Diaspora. The shull is sort of a base camp for Jewish life. Membership really does have its privileges.

In Israel, the Shull plays a completely different role.  Jewish life happens all around.  There is no need to fundraise for the State of Israel from an Israeli Shull.  After all, a lot of Shulls are the product of fundraising events that took place in the Diaspora.  People mainly come to doven (pray).  They live their Jewish life outside of the Shull.  Children, even in public, non-religious schools, are learning about the history of Israel, Judaism and even Tanach (bible).  Our school vacations are not Christmas, Easter and the like, but Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukah and Pesach (to name a few).  The Shull Rabbis gives a brief sermon on Shabbat and maybe there is a light Kiddush after dovening, but the main learning is done away from the Shull.  Now, I have heard there are Anglo communities throughout Israel that have adopted a Diapsora-like shull life, but I believe they are far and few, and certainly not in Ashdod where I currently live.

For us “transplants,” it’s very difficult to adjust to Israeli synagogue life.  Because of the central role the synagogue has played in our lives while in the Diaspora, it’s natural for us to want our synagogue in Israel to play the same role.   We spent our youth fundraising for Israel, planning trips to Jewish overnight camp and even learning in Hebrew school.  Israel’s well being, together with the religious aspect of Judaism , were the bonds that kept everyone together.  Fast forward one is now living in Israel, what is the bond that keeps everyone together in their Israeli Shulls?  Dovening alone is not what Judaism is about.

It’s a question I am still seeking the answers to.  In the meantime, I can only try to bring new ideas to the table and hope that some of them are heard.