A fond memory of childhood was wearing a new, special outfit to High Holiday services. Being “dressed up” helped to make me realize that I was going to a special place for an important ritual in my life. My parents taught me that being on my best behavior was important. That meant that I had to pay attention to what was happening on the Bema. I had to wait until after services to eat anything, including chewing gum.

Although our society today is much less relaxed in terms of dress…in schools and in the workplace, it is still important to teach our children that our Sanctuary is a special place in which we show respect to God and to each other. The best way for us to carry this out is by leading by example.

During the year we create a wide variety of moods for worship services, from the seriousness and solemnity of Yom Kippur to the joy of Simchat Torah and the frivolity of Purim.  However, in all cases, we wish to maintain a sense of worship rather than presentation.  We see ourselves as a congregation praying and celebrating together rather than an audience watching a show.  To this end we want to remind the congregation to refrain from applauding during services.  While we appreciate the efforts of those who lead us in worship, we wish to see them as worship leaders rather than as performers.  A thank you or yasher koach (A good job!) after the service would be a more appropriate expression of appreciation than applause during the worship moment.