Shabbat in Metz

Yesterday, we were treated to the warmth and hospitality of the Metz Jewish community. We had gone to the synagogue in the morning to find out the time for services and returned in the afternoon for Shabbat evening services. The synagogue hosts three services each Shabbat - one Ashkenazic, one Sephardic, and one Polish. We chose the Ashkenazic service, and introduced ourselves to some people in the alcove before services began.

There were only two of us in the women's section, which was located behind the men. A hazzan chanted the service and the men joined in; many of them had beautiful voices that lent a wonderful spirit to the prayers. During the service, the woman next to me, in broken English, asked if we would join her family for Shabbat dinner, which we did. We were welcomed into their home and treated to home-made foie gras, roasted chicken and vegetables, and an apple tart. It was a lovely evening.