Gala Concert in Tempel Synagogue

[kaz]

With the concert in the synagogue,we want to pay tribute to Leonard`s ancestors who emigrated to Canada
from this part of the world.For many centuries, Poland had been the country with the largest Jewish community
in the world.The idea of concert was welcome by the Jewish Community of Krakow and the chairman of the Jewish
Community Council Tadeusz Jakubowicz.They have made the synagogue available to us free of charge.
The synagogue is open for sightseeing and serves as a venue for concerts.Religious services are held here only
a few times a year.
Gentelmen will be asked to cover their heads while in the synagogue (skullcups will be available at the door;
however you are free to wear your own headgear).
Ladies will be kindly requested to cover their shoulders.
Kaz.

[bridger15]

Such wonderful news, Kaz. I have tears in my eyes. And on a personal note, to comply with the tradition, I would like to sit upstairs in the Women's Gallery. But I need someone to reserve a seat for me. It will take me a while to climb up the stairs with a cane (or 2).

Thanks in advance,

---Arlene

[kaz]

And on a personal note, to comply with the tradition, I would like to sit upstairs in the Women's Gallery. But I need someone to reserve a seat for me.
---Arlene

Arlene,
Don`t worry,there will be a lot of space upstairs in the Women`s Gallery. We didn`t have a plan
to separate men and women during concert.We had a plan to place everybody together downstairs.
However ,if you or any women would like to sit upstairs to comply with the tradition there won`t
be a problem.
Kaz.

[bridger15]

Sorry to mislead you, Kaz. Of course, everybody sits together at a concert.
My post was unclear. I apologize.

What I meant to convey, for me personally, to replicate the tradition, to feel the history, I would like to sit in the Women''s Gallery because when the Tempel Synagogue was built and functioning, that's where the women sat during services.

I am sure there will be lots of seats up there but not a good view by the time I hobble up the stairs. I have sat in a Women's Gallery many times. Sightlines beyond the first row are not good. So, if you could reserve a front row seat for me somehow, just paste a piece of paper on one seat, I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
---Arlene

[kaz]

So, if you could reserve a front row seat for me somehow, just paste a piece of paper on one seat, I would appreciate it.
---Arlene

Of course,a front row seat will be waiting for you.
Kaz.

[bridger15]

I would like to point out a wonderful Tempel Synagogue architectural detail that may not be clearly visible in person.

During the Jewish Culture Festival, while watching the webcam streaming, this artifact never appeared in the frame. Then in one concert, an enterprising roaming videographer, Bless him/her, shot a closeup of this. And I gasped at its beauty. I watched the repeat as soon as it was available and took a screen cap.

This was the tradition in Eastern European Synagogues that has been copied in many North American Synagogues:
two confronting lions surrounding The Tablets of the Ten Commandments. Lions recall the ornaments that adorned Soloman's Palace. Often this ornament is affixed to the top of the Ark where the Torah Scrolls are kept. In the Tempel Synagogue, it is high above the Ark near the vaulted ceiling. It was thrilling to see it close up in such detail.

---Arlene

This is the screen cap off the webcam


This is from a tourism website. I added the arrow for reference

[lizzytysh]

STUNNINGLY Beautiful, Arlene! Thank you for this!

[Carmen]

While you are there, would you whisper a prayer for my mom and I, please?

Carmen

[lizzytysh]

I know I will, dear Carmen, and I'm sure so will anyone else who reads your sincere and humble request.


Love,
Lizzy

[bridger15]

While you are there, would you whisper a prayer for my mom and I, please?

Carmen, I hope to go to a Synagogue service along my travels if the timing works out. During the service there is always a Prayer For healing called "Mi sheberakh":

(in summary)
May the Source of strength
Who blessed the ones before us
Help us find the courage
To make our lives a blessing,
Bless those in need of healing
The renewal of body,
The renewal of spirit,

Send me a PM with your mother's name.
If I can't make it to a scheduled service, I will give your names to a Rabbi to include in the next service.

Take care,
---Arlene

[Carmen]

Thank you so much for giving me so much hope. My mother's name is Maria. And, Arlene, I shall copy the words of that prayer and maybe say them myself, if I am allowed, not being Jewish myself.

Lots of love to both of you, Arlene and Lizzytish,

Carmen

[bridger15]

Thank you so much for giving me so much hope. My mother's name is Maria. And, Arlene, I shall copy the words of that prayer and maybe say them myself, if I am allowed, not being Jewish myself.

What a beautiful thought. Of course you can say the prayer. I will send you a PM with more background to the prayer.

[Carmen]

Thank you so much for the link, I have downloaded the prayers and shall say them for my mom.

Lots of love,

Carmen