Form 4 visited the Cambridge Synagogue as part of their Judaism studies and had the opportunity to explore the beliefs and practices of the Jewish faith with a Cambridge University undergraduate. The children were given the opportunity to see and touch many different artefacts that are involved in Jewish worship and scholarship.
Teacher of RS, Mrs Fran Hawkins, explained, “We were welcomed by Samuel Isaac, a third year student, who gave us a fascinating and informative visit. He allowed the children to roam the synagogue so that they could experience the place of worship and what it holds. Samuel also put on a tallith (prayer shawl) to show us and tefillin, so that the children could see what an orthodox Jew would wear during prayer. These are leather boxes that contain words from the Torah on small strips of parchment. Jewish men strap one to their head and one to their arm, level with their heart, when praying to observe the command to keep God’s words close to the heart and mind. Samuel then asked the children if they had any questions and they had so many that the rest of the afternoon was spent with Samuel patiently answering all their imaginative and curious queries. Samuel praised them for their polite behaviour and enquiring approach.”
