Synagogue Etiquette: A Visitor’s Guide

What's a Synagogue?

A synagogue is a Jewish house of religious worship, a temple, and a place where Jews congregate.

The space is used for prayer, for religious celebrations and serves as a community base in general.

The holy buildings, and religion itself, resemble Christian churches and Christianity because the Christian faiths (orthodox, catholic, evangelists), just like Islam, emerged from the Jewish belief system.

Therefore, followers of Abrahamic religions will find it easier to adapt on their first visit to a Synagogue.

Basic Rules

Some of these rules might seem obvious, but it can be that you, or your family members, happen to break the rules accidentally during a visit to a Synagogue in another country.

Picture this, you are in Budapest in July and visiting the Dohány Synagogue with your teenagers. Budapest is hot in the summer months, and naturally, everyone wears shorter attire to beat the heat. You will need to adhere to the synagogue etiquette to visit the holy space.

Tip: You may come across similar customs and rules when visiting other religious buildings across the world. One good example is the dressing etiquette observed in Italian churches.

1. Attire

The rules for respectful attire in a synagogue apply to men and women all the same.

Avoid very revealing super short shorts and mini skirts and dresses. We saw people being accepted in wearing shorts that didn't cover the knees, but some synagogues are stricter than others.

Tank-tops or shoulder-free outfits in general need to be covered up completely. Also, your cleavage has to be covered conservatively.

They will make you wear something to cover yourself at the ticket counter/check in if it's too revealing, and that includes teenagers.

2. Head Coverings

Male Jewish family members enter the synagogue with a head covering, which is known as a kippah or a yarmulke.

We have seen this implemented for non-jews at the great Dohány Synagogue in Budapest. A friendly sir handed over a free paper kippah, which I then wore during my visit to the inner Jewish sanctum.

Some synagogues do not provide a kippah, for example, the Rumbach Street Synagogue in Budapest.

Generally speaking, Jews see it as a sign of respect, but it's not a requirement at a synagogue for non-jews.

Usually, a caretaker will approach you if it's a norm in a synagogue. This is more prevalent in Orthodox settings and less so in liberal communities.

By the way, wearing a cap or hat in a synagogue is considered a viable, acceptable alternative.

Women, typically speaking, are not asked to cover their hair, except in an orthodox synagogue, where married women need to cover their hair with a headscarf or a wig.

3. Behavior

As this is a place of worship, and you are a visitor, you will need to adhere to simple rules of conduct.

• Move about respectfully. If you have kids, keep an eye on them and don't let them scream and run around. Keep that also in mind for historical synagogues with holocaust memorial sites.
• Reduce the volume of your voice, speak quietly.
• Keep your phone on silence and don't pick up calls in the synagogue.
• Check with the caretakers if you are allowed to take pictures and videos. Not all synagogues permit photography, and avoid all together to take photos during a ritual service. Do not use flash in general.
• If there is a holocaust memorial, do not take selfies, pose in front of it for a picture or fool around.
• Do keep an eye out for special signs and pay attention to the caretakers when they explain to you specific rules.

• Specific traditional synagogues have separate seating for women, but most synagogues have a less restrictive seating system in place during an active service. Pay attention to your seat, some are wooden flip seats, and you would rather not bang them against the back rest paneling.
• If you are attending a service, arrive on time, don't talk and stick to your seat. Don't wander about freely.
• Don't eat and drink in the synagogue.
• Refrain from charging your phone in the synagogue.
• Animals and pets are not allowed in.
• Do appreciate the architecture and historical relevance. A guide can help you understand the culture more thoroughly.

4. Security Checks

Most synagogues that we have visited have security checks in place for visitors.

They will scan your belonging and you as well, and they may ask you questions regarding your visit. Please comply.

Don't bring knifes and guns to a synagogue or anything else that could serve as a weapon.

Don't bring large bags and suitcases, they won't let you in with it. There is no guarantee that the synagogue has a cloakroom either.

In case, larger cities such as Bucharest and Budapest have paid lockers where you can store your trolleys and belonging before you enter the Synagogue.

Tips

Specific synagogues are tourist magnets, such as the Dohány synagogue in Budapest. It is a historical house of worship and the 2nd largest of its kind in the world, so naturally it will draw in visitors.

In this case, prepare for larger crowds and waiting lines. I recommend arriving earlier in the day, just after the opening time, to make the most of your visit.

On that note, check the opening hours online. If they are vague, reach out before you intend to visit. The ticket counter sometimes closes an hour before the synagogue closing time.

Check Jewish religious holiday dates, so to not collide with a scheduled visit.

That said, keep in mind that Jews celebrate their religious service on Saturdays and therefore visitors might be restricted to visiting on Saturdays and Friday afternoons. Plan your visit any other day in the week.

Popular synagogues ask for an entry fee, and they may also offer guided tours. Keep an ID with you if you fall under a special ticketing price category, so that the person at the counter can verify.

Smaller, or synagogues away from major hubs, have restricted opening schedules that are not always displayed online.

We experienced that at the Synagogue in Győr, but I still encourage you to check it out, perhaps a caretaker will let you in.

Then there are synagogues that can't be visited or that have been temporarily closed to visitors.

We made this unfortunate experience at the Bucharest synagogue. Just be prepared mentally for these situations.