In accordance with the guidelines published by the CDC on February 25, 2022, masks will no longer be required while indoors at New Synagogue.  Should conditions change that warrant the adoption of a mask requirement, you will be notified accordingly.  New Synagogue asks that you continue to wear a mask in the following situations:

• You are personally at high risk

• You have COVID-19 like symptoms

• You have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or

• If you personally would prefer to wear a mask

Although the COVID-19 infection rate has diminished, it has not disappeared.  We ask that all congregants and visitors to New Synagogue be mindful of the concerns of others and socially distance when possible.

Pre-registration is REQUIRED for all services and events.

Our Rules

• Be respectful of others

• Proper attire is required in the New Synagogue sanctuary (NO FLIP-FLOPS or SHORTS will be tolerated in the sanctuary–we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to attire)

Why a Dress Code?

All are welcome in our sanctuary. We seek to sustain the most meaningful spiritual experience in prayer together. In Jewish tradition, each synagogue is a Mikdash Me’at, a house of prayer and study that replicates the Bet HaMikdash, the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Just as Cohanim, officiants in the Jerusalem Temple, dressed both elegantly and appropriately for their service, so do we. Each worshiper in our sanctuary is empowered to stand before G-d in prayer and song. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks reminds us that the reason beautiful clothes were worn in Temple worship was “for glory and for splendour. They created an atmosphere of awe and reverence, because they pointed to a beauty and grandeur beyond themselves, namely G-d Himself.”

The most renowned of all Biblical and Talmudic Rabbinic commentaries, Rashi, writes that prayer, especially on the Sabbath, requires special and appropriate clothing. This is codified in Jewish law that no shorts or other weekday casual clothing such as flip flops, should be worn in a synagogue sanctuary, because the clothing should befit an experience of standing in a holy place.

Jewish educator Rabbi Dr. Wallace Greene succinctly notes that “Our Shabbat attire signifies that we are ready to be enveloped by the holiness of Shabbat.”  Dr. Greene notes that on Shabbat we dine elegantly at the Sabbath table, we have a unique set of prayers, and we dress differently also. Please honor this fundamental Jewish value and law that on Shabbat we dress respectfully by avoiding shorts and other casual wear in our sanctuary. Let us all support the sanctity of our coming together for the purpose of Avodat Hashem, Divine service, in our beautiful synagogue.