NEW & IMPROVED - Shul Guide "What is going on in Shul?"

The “What’s Going On in Shul?” Guide was created to help guests feel comfortable and understand what they’re seeing when they come to shul.

For someone who doesn’t attend shul regularly, even things that seem completely normal can be unfamiliar. What’s the Aron Kodesh? Who’s the Chazan? What’s a Minyan? And what exactly is Neilah?

This guide explains the people, objects, prayers and customs they’ll come across in shul — what they are, what they mean, and what’s actually going on around them.

The New & Improved Edition features a refreshed design, updated content and helpful illustrations throughout, making it easy for guests to pick up and understand on their own.

What’s Inside

The guide walks readers through the most common things they’ll encounter in shul, from the people and objects around them to the tefillos and customs they may experience during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Each topic is explained in simple, approachable language, together with helpful illustrations, pronunciations, Hebrew origins, related words and relatable examples.

Perfect For

• Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur services
• Welcoming guests who are new to shul
• Leaving copies around the shul for visitors to pick up and browse
• Chabad Houses and community outreach
• Hebrew School students
• Helping shul members better understand common terms and customs
• Year-round shul use and Jewish learning

It gives guests a simple way to get answers to the questions they may have without needing to feel uncomfortable asking — helping them better understand where they are and what’s happening around them.