This weekend is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and that means it's time to find a synagogue in Paris. As it turns out, the 19th arrondissement, where we live, has a large Jewish population. But as far as I can tell, it's entirely Orthodox and Sephardic, which isn't what I'm used to. There are a few conservative Ashkenazi synagogues in the city, and I think I've found most of them. There's the
Synagogue Charles Liché (formerly Synagogue de Place des Vosges), which probably has the best real estate (the Place des Vosges is gorgeous and very swank); there's
Kehilat Gesher, a bilingual congregation that holds services both in Paris and in St. Germain-en-Laye; and there's the
Union Libérale Israélite de France, which (along with Kehilat Gesher) has a synagogue in the 16th arrondissement.

This last congregation welcomes so many people for the High Holidays that they have to hold two services: one in their regular synagogue, and one at the Palais des Congrès at Porte Maillot, which is basically a convention center/performance venue. And that is where I will be attending services. I'll let you know how it goes, and whether I can see the Rabbi from the nosebleed seats.
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Update - I got the tickets for Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur services in the mail. I asked for two, and they sent two. But they made a major assumption when they printed the tickets, namely:
And "Mme. Epstein?" Here she is:
Robert's in town! Hooray! Here, he's napping off his jet lag (he just got in today) in the Parc de Buttes Chaumont. Hopefully they won't object when he walks in with the "Mme. Epstein" ticket.
There is another Synagogue in Vincennes if you are interested
ReplyDeleteGod, what a ridiculous assumption. Everyone knows that Robert makes you the woman in your relationship.
ReplyDeleteKhayam, I read a little about that synagogue online, and it looks pretty Orthodox, which is why I was a little nervous about going there for the high holidays (I don't know very much about Orthodox Judaism, even in the States). But I'll definitely try to get to a Friday night service there at some point this year, just to see what it's like.
ReplyDeleteMike, I've got nothing. Touché.
I'm an American moving to Paris next week and will be shul-shopping when I get there. I would love to hear more about your experience. Thank you!
ReplyDelete-Carly