The Best Things In Life Are Free vs You Get What You Pay For

In many parts of the Jewish world, this is the season when those two sayings are bandied about, because there are synagogues which strictly limit their attendence at prayers to those who paid in advance.

There are tons of jokes about people turned away at the door, and like all jokes, there must be an element of truth.




Hat tip Frum Satire

Even our synagogue, which has no paid rabbi, cantor etc must have money for electricity, water, cleaning, repairs and building. That comes from dues and donors.

There aren't any guards at the door, nor ushers to guide people to seats. There are prayers, like shofar-blowing on Rosh Hashannah or Kol Nidre on Yom Kippur, when it's a real Chinese puzzle, but then things empty out and get more "comfortable."

It will cost money to expand, and unfortunately people aren't uncomfortable enough to make the investment. For years the "committee" has been trying to find the best and least expensive and complicated way. Maybe this year, G-d wiling.

Shannah Tovah
Gmar Chatimah Tovah