There are various historical origins for why Jews cover their heads, but the modern interpretation is to show humility before God, or to remember that there is always One above us. Some Orthodox Jews have a tradition (as did all Europeans in the past) that a married woman should cover her hair as part of her modesty of dress. People in general stopped wearing hats in the 1960's and '70's, and few Jews who are not Orthodox cover their heads all the time, although many Conservative and Reform do so while attending services and during holidays and ritual observances. The women of Lev Eisha come from all kinds of different backgrounds and traditions, and many do not cover their heads for services. At Lev Eisha we follow the Conservative guidelines of Adat Shalom, which do not require women to cover their heads, but offer kippot and lace mantillettes in the entry hall for those who wish to do so.
Women may, but are not required, to wear a tallit. If you go up for an aliyah it is customary to wear a tallit, but the woman next to you will likely share hers if you’re not wearing one. Tallitot are worn during the daytime, so that the fringes, the tzitziot may be seen (by natural light). There is a rack of tallitot in the entry hall which may be borrowed during services.
Please do not wear a tallit into the restroom. Place it on your seat, or hang it from the pegs provided by the center restroom doors (in the middle of the hall, rather than by the front door).
No. Traditionally a woman is considered to be a Bat Mitzvah when she celebrates her twelfth birthday. Women have read the Torah amongst themselves for thousands of years, and only recently have we adopted the egalitarian service where women have Bat Mitzvahs, and wear a tallit and kippah.
It is an enduring principle of Jewish tradition that we do not pass money on Shabbat. Even though it might be a check rather than currency, and might have been written before Shabbat, it is the actual exchange that we do not do. It's okay to agree to a transaction on Shabbat (whether it's promising to pay for luncheon or to sell your cow for a certain price), but the actual exchange of goods and payment is forbidden.
Many of the Shabbat prohibitions, such as the one against writing, are inconvenient, but we ask you please to respect the traditions of Adat Shalom while you're on the premises. We encourage you to bring a few calling cards (business cards) with your phone number and e-mail address on them to exchange with the friends you meet at Lev Eisha.
The origins of Shabbat prohibitions go back to interpretations and extensions of all the endeavors necessary for making the original tabernacle. A simpler way to think of it is that we do not create things (strike fires or take pictures), destroy things (cut or tear) or change the state of things (cook or color), because God rested from creating on Shabbat. However you choose to observe Shabbat, while on the premises of Adat Shalom please try to keep to the Conservative traditions so as not to disturb the peace of the day for those around you.
Lev Eisha is a service by women for women. It is not meant to become a co-ed alternative Shabbat service, but to be a place where women lead and where women share their lives. However, if you would like to invite a man to share Lev Eisha with you, we will make him welcome.
Children are a blessing to the whole community. They are our future and it's never too soon to introduce them to the joy of the Shabbat service. In a women's service we are especially keen not to exclude women with babies and tots. While we do ask that people whose children are fussing or rambunctious take them outside so they won't disrupt the service, we expect that little ones aren't always absolutely quiet. If a child's murmurings are bothering you, please move to a quieter part of the room.
Shabbat is not a time for commercial endeavors, promotions, etc., and our flyer policy reflects that. Rather than making ad hoc decisions about which flyers are appropriate, the Board has made a policy that we will only display flyers pertaining to Lev Eisha, Adat Shalom, or the general interests of Israel. Besides being a way to treat everyone fairly, this policy coincides well with the policies of Adat Shalom, and also makes set-up and clean-up easier for our Hospitality committee and custodians.