Articles - Miscellaneous

"The Inspired Bridge" by Tamas Kaszonyi

Tamas was born in Szeged, south Hungary, in 1938. The visit to Sinai synagogue has particular meaning for him, because as a child he remembers his mother taking in a Jewish family to protect them from the Nazis, who had invaded Hungary in 1944. Tamas moved to Budapest as a teenager but left Hungary for good following the Russian invasion of his country in 1956.

Even the sun was inspirational, its shining rays lovingly embracing north Leeds on a warm Tuesday evening in May this year, as some members of the Concord Leeds interfaith fellowship gathered outside the Sinai Synagogue in Roman Avenue. The pleasant area of the Synagogue and its buildings, bathed in spring sunshine, greeted us. No sign of any vandalism, graffiti or anti-social or anti -religious terrorism - thank God !

We were greeted by and received a very warm welcome from the pleasant and knowledgeable Rabbi Ian Morris. Before we entered the main worship area, Rabbi Morris explained about the kippah (skull cap) worn by Jewish males and the reasons for its use; he also distributed kippot to all males present who did not have a head cover. Then, after we had entered the main part of the Synagogue, used for worship and prayer, we felt with joyful and humble hearts the presence of Almighty God in the reverent atmosphere created by the sun shining victoriously through the beautiful windows.

Rabbi Morris talked about the derivation of the word 'synagogue' - a word originating in the Greek speaking Jewish communities of the eastern Mediterranean - and went on to explain that the members of the Sinai Synagogue were members of the Reform tradition of Judaism. He then spoke about the architecture of the Sinai Synagogue, commenting that Jews did not see synagogues as 'holy' places in the sense that Christians saw churches; their significance, rather, is in their role as 'houses of assembly' where the Jewish community come together for worship, for learning and for social activity - each of these taking place in a different area of the synagogue.

Rabbi Morris drew attention to three particularly important items housed in the worship area:

The Torah Scroll (Sefer Torah), a handwritten scroll containing the text of the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses). Though not itself an object of worship, the Sefer Torah possesses a high degree of sanctity in Judaism and Jewish life.
The 'Light of God', hanging above the Torah Scroll and symbolizing the spiritual enlightenment that is forever emanating from the Torah.
The Menorah a seven - branched candelabrum symbolizing the nation of Israel and its mission to be 'a light to the nations'.

Rabbi Morris then gave a very helpful and enlightening talk which ranged over the historical background of Judaism; the relationship of the Jews over the centuries with God and with God's Law; and the way in which understanding of God's Law had developed and evolved. He also touched on the relationship between Jews and non-Jews; the movement out of ghettoes in western Europe in the latter part of the eighteenth century; and the differences between Orthodox and Reform Judaism - for instance in the way they understand the role of the Rabbi and in the different arrangements for worship in the respective traditions.

After the talk, which also included information about Jewish traditions, customs and foods, there was a very helpful and stimulating question and answer session expertly handled by our Rabbi! Then we were invited to examine the superb two-hundred year old Torah Scroll and Menorah, both beautiful artistic creations placed in the Worshipping Hall where one felt inspired to worship Almighty God!

After refreshments and a friendly social chat we thanked Rabbi Ian Morris for his great hospitality and teaching and left, happy and uplifted, stepping out into the still sunshining evening of Roman Avenue. We felt we had just been over 'The Inspired Bridge' to the future which has been built by Concord and inspired by Almighty God! If all the world were able to cross this bridge there wouldn't be any war anymore!

Love to you All from Tamas Kaszonyi of St Edmunds Parish Church, Roundhay. June 2005

31 July, 2005