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MissMEM: Is this the only place you own, and if so, do you plan to acquire any more?
Rosie_Serafina: It's not. I have a whole hood full of places! Admittedly, Congregation Makom Kavuah is the centerpiece and my pride and joy. I have ideas for more spots within the hood but would actually prefer tenants at this point to come fill in with their own ideas!
MissMEM: What was your inspiration for decorating your synagogue?
Rosie_Serafina: Well, I noticed how many churches there were in There, and not a single synagogue. I am not especially religious; I am, in fact, especially nonreligious. But I identify with and delight in the culture of my people and I thought, we need a place for Jews to gather, too, for whatever purpose pleases us. So it started as a reaction but became its own thing.
MissMEM: Do you have a favorite place in your synagogue? If so, where and why?
Rosie_Serafina: Well I love the kitchens of course! One is for meat and the other for dairy. The dining/party area is shared between them and I am pleased with how the Rabbi's office came out. Too bad we have no Rabbi.
MissMEM: What words of wisdom would you offer to new members who are looking to find their own home in There?
Rosie_Serafina: Don't worry about what's popular. Go with what you like. This way, you will eventually be surrounded by people who like the same thing you do (unless what you like about the place is its solitude!).
MissMEM: Do you hold parties/events often at your place? If so, what sort of gatherings are they? Anything coming up you'd like to invite the general public to?
Rosie_Serafina: Purim is right around the corner! I will most likely write a quest for that, and people are welcome to party as well. I like especially to have quests for the holidays. People may gather, though, for any Jewish or secular event they want. The only caveat is that no one use the shul (jewish word for synagogue, literally meaning "school") to instruct or preach about another religion. An exception might be if I myself scheduled an interfaith event. But otherwise, it's open!
MissMEM: And finally, what are your favorite items in your synagogue?
Rosie_Serafina: You can't see them! They're hidden! One is the mezuzah. Well, you can see the case, which is way too big for the doorpost but it works, I think. It's a big Star of David created by aztec3, but the mezuah itself is a document, and it's hidden under the porch. The other is Torah, which is hidden in the ark which I made by putting two tbelle cabinets together. I forget what it's called at the moment, that cabinet... but all her stuff is good! One can't open the ark any more than one can fit the mezuzah into its case, but one does the best one can, you know? There is a parsha hidden in the bima too.
Okay I guess I'd better explain some of these words! The mezuzah is a bit of Deuteronomy that Jews keep inside a mezuzah case on their doorposts. Torah is the first five books of the bible. Parsha is the weekly torah portion; Jews all over the world are reading from the same part of Torah on shabbos (sabbath). I’d like to mention that the Jewish day, not just holidays but every day, begin and end at sundown. Since Thereians are all over the world, there is no way to begin an event at sundown for everyone! So I do my best to set events for the shul before sundown in, say, Hawaii, which would give most people a chance for their sundown to occur sometime during the event, anyway.
You do NOT have to be Jewish to visit or even congregate in the shul (with the abovementioned caveat). You need to be a member of the congregation to schedule an event (ask me). I hope my holiday quests are fun for all, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. To see the photo album, click here.
To visit Congregation Makom Kavuah go here. |
