Kesher Israel is a Modern Orthodox synagogue located in Downtown Washington, DC. The synagogue attracts visitors from all different Jewish backgrounds. Participants in the congregation are extremely diverse in their practices and range from fully observant Chassidic Rabbis to reform professionals who live nearby. It is because of this diversity that I found myself attracted to Kesher Israel, and why I chose to attend a Saturday morning Shabbat service to conduct my research. .
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I myself am Jewish and was brought up as a Conservative Jew. I can read and write Hebrew and for the most part understand what many prayers mean without reading the English translation in the Siddur (prayer book). However, I have not been introduced to the other sects of Judaism and thought it would be interesting to explore differences between two of the religious sects. I wanted to see how my knowledge of Hebrew and traditional practices would be challenged throughout the service. Gender and Pragmatics play an important role in how a Jewish Orthodox Rabbi uses language to address his congregation by creating a welcoming and appropriate environment conducive towards prayer. By participating in Kesher Israel's Shabbat service I was challenging myself to practice Judaism in a new way, as well as looking to see a difference in the way in which language was used to convey prayer. .
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Walking into the main sanctuary, the layout was entirely different from what I was accustomed to. Immediately I was separated from my friend Evan who I had convinced to attend with me. Instead of sitting together like we would have at my synagogue, I was told to take the stairs to the upper level and sit on the balcony with the rest of the women and children. Meanwhile, Evan was led to the front of the ground floor to sit with the other men. Even though I was now on my own I did not feel uncomfortable. An older woman in her late sixties who had been a member of the synagogue since 1980 welcomed me.
