Rock Shabbat

I can't tell you the last time I went to synagogue. And it's probably been over a year that I've been meaning to go to Rock Shabbat at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, which happens the 2nd Friday of every month in Seattle. This past Friday night, I finally made it.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a service more. My family was not much for going to temple, my mom and I would sometimes go to services for the high holidays, or I would go with my Bubi to services at her shul, which was conservative enough that the women actually sat separately from (behind) the men. The services I had been to were not very musical. At least, I don't recall the prayers being sung the way I've heard them back East. Even then, the music was simple. But not Rock Shabbat.

The biggest surprise about Rock Shabbat was that Rabbi Daniel Weiner played guitar. Somehow I was expecting the rock band to be more of a cantor or choir than that. It really worked and while I still found myself not always sure of the words, it didn't seem to matter as much.

There was a short sermon, too, in the midst of all the music. Talk of the 100th anniversary meeting of the NAACP, which happened Saturday, and the involvement of the Jews at a time when it may not have been the wisest move, but that Jews were always committed to fighting injustice.

During the service, I found myself wanting to bring all my Jewish friends back next month. It's definitely worth experiencing.