Community Worship

For Every Thing A Season Home Contents Catalog
Jewish Ritual Art in Cleveland
an exhibition at the Cleveland State University Art Gallery
September 7 - November 4, 2000

Since the time of the diaspora, Jews have believed that God is everywhere. Nevertheless, a special place is reserved for communal prayer. Many rituals, customs, and artifacts are designated for the gathering of the Jewish community. This occurs each Sabbath, during the festivals, and on special occasions of joy and sorrow in the life cycle. The importance of community worship becomes critically evident when a Jew must relocate or separate from the community by circumstance. Without a minyan (ten Jewish adults required for a prayer service), many of the traditional prayers and ceremonies cannot be performed. Without community, the structure of this beautiful way of life is lost.

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