Visiting another synagogue in Haifa

As I mentioned in a previous post, I also received information about the other Reform synagogue in Haifa, אהל אברהם Ohel Avraham ("Abraham's Tent"). So, last night we decided to visit it. We got there WAY early and simply sat in the sanctuary waiting for more people to show up. Sure enough, they did, and the prayers got underway within 15-20 minutes of the scheduled starting time (5:30 p.m.).

This congregation seems very Israeli. I think I only heard people talking among themselves in Hebrew, unlike any other Reform or Conservative congregation we've attended here. Usually, ones hears quite a bit of English, and maybe a little Spanish or Russian. I rather like hearing only Hebrew conversations around us, since it made it a truly Israeli experience. At the kiddush afterwards, the main leader, who I assume was the rabbi, came up and greeted us. He asked us where we were from, and it turns out that HE is originally from Khatzor HaGlilit, the town just below us next to Rosh Pinna. He was a very nice guy with a big smile, and I managed to carry on the whole conversation in Hebrew.

The prayers themselves were also very enjoyable. There was a guy who played the guitar very well, unobtrusively but supportively. It was a great spiritual experience. Many of the melodies were familiar to us even though we don't use them at Emet V'Shalom, our home congregation in Nahariya, but there were also a few new ones. All in all, we were very happy that we had gone.