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Ash Pack Cubs Synagogue Visit 2008

Cub Scouts form Ash pack recently had a fascinating visit to Kingston synagogue where a Rabbi and synagogue members warmly welcomed cubs, leaders and helpers.

We are finding out about the Jewish faith, is festivals, history and traditions as part of our Promise challenge. The synagogue members gave us lots of interesting details about their faith and showed us some beautiful artefacts. The Kingston synagogue is a large single storey building with beautiful stained glass windows. Stored in the Ark, are the Scrolls. The synagogue particularly treasures a scroll saved from the Nazis in the second world war.

The cubs had lots of great questions, for example

Q. Why do the scrolls have silver bells on the top handle.?

A. When the scrolls are carried around the synagogue, they create music. The scrolls have to be carried carefully as they are very precious. If someone drops the scroll, they have to fast for 40 days and 40 nights.

Q. How long does it take to make a scroll ?

A. A skilled craftsman takes up to a year to write the scroll, on parchment, with a special quill and ink. The words are the words spoken to Moses by God. It is written in Hebrew and read, from right to left, in a singing voice. The intonation is not marked on the scroll and has to be learnt. The Rabbi sang a section to us which was quite special to hear.

Q. What do Jewish people eat?

A. Jews eat Kosher food, which is prepared in a particular way. Jewish people do not eat dairy and meat products within the same meal, and they have separate utensils, crockery and areas of the kitchen to prepare meat and dairy food.

Q. What are your main festivals?

A. Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah

Q. Which day is your special day of worship?

A. Shabbat is our holy day and it lasts from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Many thanks to Mr I Ralton and his friends who made us so welcome and improved our knowledge of Judaism.

Claire Thomas/Baloo
Ash Cubs, 1st Bookham