Reform Judaism v Orthodox Synagogues

[gulfcoastliberal]

I'm intersted in starting attending a local temple; here in Pensacola we only have two:

Temple Beth-El, which is Reform Judaism

B'Nai Israel, which is conservative Orthodox

Now, I'm not an Orthodox Jew since my mother is not Jewish. Nor do I speak Hebrew, although I'd like to learn (if anyone has recommendations for a good book/cd/computer learning program, let me know). I get the feelig I'd be more welcome at the Reform temple than the Orthodox temple - but I'm not sure.

I'd appreciate any input on the differences between these two Synagogues. Here are the website links is you want to check them out:

http://templebethelofpensacola.org/

http://www.shalompensacola.org/history.html

Thanks in advance for your input and recommendations!

[rockymountaindem]

1. I would recommend the Reform synagogue in your case.

If you aren't strongly observant, I doubt you'd fit in at the Orthodox shul. I personally prefer a "conservative" service myself, and I find that Reform temples use too much English in their services, which isn't to my liking since I did go to all that trouble to learn the service by heart in Hebrew! But for someone who doesn't know a lot of Hebrew and hasn't been to shul in awhile, I'd go with the Reform one if those are your two options.

[gulfcoastliberal]

2. That's what I suspected. Thanks, rockymountaindem.

I was going to go to Hewish school when we lived on Long Island but moved back to California before I got started.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. I agree with Rocky.

You might want to give the Reform group a whirl first. As you become more comfortable, you could then explore the Conservative sect. I was raised in a conservative home. Most of our services were in Hebrew, with some English. Because of our lineage, when no rabbi was around, my father led services, so our house is filled with Judaica. The attitudes of those in the conservative realms are reaching a juncture with reform ideas, the services just tend to be different. :)