I attended synagogue from the age of three through eighteen on a weekly basis

[PCIntern]

and had some years: two afternoons of Hebrew, Sunday morning Sunday School, Bar Mitzvah lessons, Friday night and/or Saturday morning services, pre-Confirmation, Confirmation, and even post-Confirmation studies. (We read Portnoy's Complaint in Post-Con!). My life was inextricably wound into the institution, the school system, the rabbis, and the congregants. It was a way of life for us. There were 173 Confirmands in my class and I still run into many of them here in Philly - there were two in my dental school class besides me. It was a good part of the fabric of my early life.

I cannot imagine what the congregants are going through today.

[monmouth4]

1. Believe it or not PC, you have been on my mind all morning. Was wondering if you had spoken with

your cousin who attended the synagogue that you mentioned yesterday. My heart is broken for the many losses..

[PCIntern]

2. Thank you.

They’re all ok. Large family there.
Thanks for the thoughts.

[MaryMagdaline]

3. PCIntern I am so sorry

It’s a small community, and you must be feeling it

[oberliner]

4. Why did you stop going?

[PCIntern]

5. Went to college...

still attend services and when my kids were young it was three-four times a week.

[oberliner]

6. That makes sense

My journey was similar.

[Number9Dream]

7. A gentile fondly remembers my evenings at the synagogue

Back in the late '60's, when I was in junior high, the synagogue in our little town wanted to reach out to us gentiles. Jewish kids in my classes invited gentile kids to attend a service at their synagogue. Several of us gentile boys and girls agreed to attend. We gentile boys donned yarmulkes and sat respectfully through a service. Afterward, we all went to an activity room for refreshments, music, and socializing. Over time, I attended several of these. They helped me become religion-blind. I dated Jewish girls, and had Jewish lovers. My point is, if I live to be 99, I will always fondly remember my evenings at the synagogue. Sending sympathy and best wishes to the Jewish community everywhere.

[PCIntern]

8. That's a sweet memory...

We always tried to reach out to others to enjoy a communal life together.