The Movement for Reform Judaism

If you have never been to a Shabbat Shira I strongly recommend that you give it a try.
 
When we first walked in to a shira service I felt a little uncomfortable as everyone else there seemed to know what was expected of them, what was going to happen. It is now my favourite service.
 
When you walk into the synagogue, the first thing you notice is the gentle bustle of preparation, and the seats arranged beneath the bimah. There is no hiding away here. Instead, there is a feeling of warmth and family about this service - it feels welcoming, like coming inside from a cold day to sit beside a log fire.
 
When the service starts, there are plenty of candles for you to light your own if you wish, and the feeling of being at home increases.
 
As the humming then singing begins, this feeling of being brought into a family increases - as does the feeling of anticipation when the drum, fiddle and guitar start to play old tunes that resonate deep inside you, and the feeling of a complete break with the week and the world outside gently takes hold.  Little ones who were wandering about return to parents and they too are drawn into the magic circle of the shira.
 
No sermon, but a conversation, a catch-up with the community on the events of the week, and the calendar. The service, threaded through with songs and  music, passes too quickly by. Once it is over, people hang around and chat. No-one is in any hurry now. There is no feeling of ceremony here, more of warmth and community - and the music - what can I say - the music leaves you smiling.
 
See you there sometime.