Welcome to Shabbat Morning

Imagine entering your synagogue for Shabbat services the first time--or even the 101st time. It can be intimidating joining in what can often be a close group of regulars: members who know the drill, have “their seats,” sometimes “their prayer book,” and when the rabbi mumbles something, they actually know what was said. It’s easy to feel like an outsider. Herein lies your next opportunity to engage your community. Put yourself in the shoes of an outsider and take the journey from the street or the parking lot outside your synagogue into the sanctuary, where you will sit in an empty seat on Shabbat morning. Consider each step of the way.

Here are some basic welcoming ideas that you could consider:

• Have a welcoming sign.

• Provide directional signs and arrows leading people to the coat room, showing them where to pick up books if necessary, what door to use for going into the sanctuary and whether there are multiple service options (if so, what are they?).  

• Have an usher greet people and provide page numbers for folks to quickly “get up to speed.”

• Have a general handout for Shabbat services.

   - Outline each section of the service and provide a one-to-two sentence explanation of each section.
   - Include your website address with resources for more information (and be certain to actually provide those resources online!).
        - Provide the page numbers and verses for the Torah reading.
   - Make sure there is an accessible transliteration of the services available (one should not have to ask the usher for this).
   - Provide additional songs that are customary during your service.

• Offer a detailed guide of your Shabbat service on your website.

     - This will assist the out-of-town and interfaith family guests as well as local prospectives and members who want to get more involved.
     - Regularly inform your members that this information is available on your website.

• Offer a class on Shabbat services, or on observing the Sabbath.

     - Include the elements of the service.     
    - Provide CDs and audio files on your website with the melodies so they will feel more comfortable joining in during services, and maybe even carry over the ritual to their homes.
       - Discuss the meaning and context so that members understand the observance of Shabbat and will be more active participants.

• The rabbi or lay leader should welcome new-comers and invite them to the Kiddush.

     - Be ready to share another upcoming event that may be of interest.
     - Try to connect them with like-minded folks.

• Have a study group following the Kiddush on the Torah portion or the rabbi’s sermon.

     - Make sure to publicize this study group so that everyone feels welcome.

Education is the key to increasing one’s comfort level. And we know that people gravitate toward the people and places where they feel best. So make walking in your front door that place; create an environment of learning and fill it with opportunities to grow and expand, and provide the tools to feel comfortable. Make it the place where people want to go on Shabbat. You can do this by making the experience more accessible and enjoyable, and a part of their practice. Encourage the questioning, education and community that Shabbat brings every week. This is an iterative process. What can you do differently this Shabbat, this e-newsletter, on your website? Spread the word.