Jim, in mosques the women pray in a separate area to the men (I think the same applies in synagogues - Dina? - it did in the one I visited when in Israel), normally upstairs (as this is) or to the side. If there is no separate area they pray behind the men. Because this was a special day, women were allowed to stay in the main prayer hall while the men prayed but could not pray with them. I assume the majority of women were in the women's area during prayers. These photos were taken a little later in the day, after the midday prayer.
Not really, Peter. There was a gaggle of women gossiping over near the door and in the corridor and it felt a lot like a women's social gathering. Which I guess it is.
Yes Ann, you're right, in Orthodox synagogues the women are "hidden" from the men by a "mechitsa," a screen or curtain. But in more liberal streams of Judaism the prayer service is egalitarian, with men and women sitting together and women even taking part in Torah reading, etc.
You had a great opportunity at this open house. Great portraits and pictures came out of it.
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Was it a different part of the mosque or a different time?
Jim, in mosques the women pray in a separate area to the men (I think the same applies in synagogues - Dina? - it did in the one I visited when in Israel), normally upstairs (as this is) or to the side. If there is no separate area they pray behind the men. Because this was a special day, women were allowed to stay in the main prayer hall while the men prayed but could not pray with them. I assume the majority of women were in the women's area during prayers. These photos were taken a little later in the day, after the midday prayer.
Looks peaceful - was it?
The portraits are wonderful.
Not really, Peter. There was a gaggle of women gossiping over near the door and in the corridor and it felt a lot like a women's social gathering. Which I guess it is.
Yes Ann, you're right, in Orthodox synagogues the women are "hidden" from the men by a "mechitsa," a screen or curtain.
But in more liberal streams of Judaism the prayer service is egalitarian, with men and women sitting together and women even taking part in Torah reading, etc.
You had a great opportunity at this open house. Great portraits and pictures came out of it.
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