West End Synagogue A Reconstructionist Congregation

My husband and I were founding members, in fact the first couple married at WES so we may be biased. The congregation is not the same congregation as 25 years ago and that is one of its strengths. It has grown and changed with the times and with the people who formed its community. It has always been a highly intellectual community that loved to delve deeply into both Jewish topics and the issues of the day. In recent years, particularly currently, it is delving more and more into spirituality, both personal and communal, reflecting the times, I think. It is often like a large family with friendship and support available in good times and bad. One of our members said it was the first time he was going out for fun with the same people he prayed with!

I like West End Synagogue because it is a comfortable place for empty nesters and people in their 50’s-100’s as well as for younger families. I like it because we welcome people regardless of whether their father or mother was Jewish, regardless of marital status or sexual preference. Our members include Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews, non-​Jewish partners, people exploring conversion. We also have people who grew up in all the Jewish denominations, or whose families were atheists, Christians, anti-​religious socialists, Yiddishists, zionists and non-​zionists. Some of us helped found the Reconstructionist movement or grew up in families who were «card-​carrying Reconstructionists,» others didn’t care much about Reconstructionism but joined because of the warmth of the community. Many don’t believe in a supernatural God who intervenes in human history, others do. Some had very strong Jewish education, others are grateful for the transliterations in our prayer books so they can sing along with Hebrew prayers.

It’s true; I’m a fan.
FIrst, the gripes. No one said hello or good shabbes to me when I walked inside. We did not say a misheberach (healing) prayer. The Rabbi and Chazan /​Cantor-​guy never introduced himself as far as I can remember. There were not that many people there and I felt strange being one of the few single women there. One man took it upon himself, to scorn SF and while I’m trying to find him endearing (it is Shabbas and all), it made me want to belt him. Oh and services were at 6:30pm so I didn’t have time to eat dinner beforehand.
The good stuff: People wore jeans and women wore Kippot! Once I said hello and Gut Shabbes, most people responded with hearty welcomes. They asked me questions and tried to help me find their ex-​interim Rabbi when I went back to SF. There was a big rainbow flag that seemed to wink at me when I approached the shul. The songs were beautiful. The Cantor-​guy had the most AMAZING voice and the Rabbi also had wonderful vocal power. The Rabbi was female and the service was egalitarian. She had a lovely way of involving the congregation and inviting us to meditate a bit. Plus, the people I sat next to were sweethearts.
All in all, I am glad I went and I would go again.