Shabbat Greeters at Services: Welcome to Bet Shalom!

by Eric Bressler

After Rabbi Locketz’ introduction to the Shabbat Greeters initiative, you’re probably wondering what it’s like to be a Greeter. I interviewed three congregants, Burt Schwartz, Lesley Doehr and Debra Swaden, who are involved with this new effort.

Why did you get involved as a Shabbat service greeter?

Burt: Rabbi Locketz sent out an email over a year ago asking for volunteers, and one of the areas listed was ushers for services. Since I attend most Friday nights, I felt that ushering or being a greeter would be a good way to help the synagogue.

Lesley: I was an usher on and off over 20+ years and enjoyed welcoming people into the sanctuary for Shabbat and other holidays. I was happy to return as a greeter when the opportunity arose. I've had a variety of volunteer roles in my life all centered around making people's experiences the best they can be, and being a greeter fits that category.

Debra: When I was filling out the volunteer interest survey, this opportunity really caught my eye. Being a Shabbat greeter is a great way to meet others in our congregation – to begin to know and be known by others in our community. And it’s a lovely way to warmly extend welcome to those visiting our congregation.

For others considering participating as a greeter, what’s the level of commitment?

Burt: My level of involvement is one Friday night a month, but other greeters come more often. At times two of us work together. Our role is to welcome the congregants and guests as they arrive, wish them Shabbat Shalom and thank them for coming.

Lesley: The commitment is whatever you'd like it to be, although I'd hope it could be at least once a month. I commit to as many services per month as I can.

Debra: I highly recommend volunteering for this great opportunity. It’s not a big time commitment - merely arriving about 30 minutes before the beginning of services.

What are your observations about the congregants you greet at Friday night services?

Lesley: I see people relaxing as they walk through the doors of Temple, happy to be connecting with others. They almost always smile when they walk in and are greeted.

Burt: The congregants and guests express gratitude for our good wishes and the greeting of Shabbat Shalom. Some of them stop and ask questions or thank me!

How does being a greeter make you feel?

Debra: Being a greeter allows me to feel more connected to both individuals and our Bet Shalom community.

Burt: It makes me feel good that I’m able to express good wishes to people who come to worship and enjoy the spirituality of being there. I also enjoy being a greeter because I’m serving Bet Shalom.

Lesley: It makes me feel the same way as I see others are feeling as they enter: warm, comfortable, and happy to be there. Greeting also fulfills my goals of making people feel welcome and being able to answer any questions they may have.

Are you developing any new relationships or deepening previous ones by being a greeter?

Burt: I am developing new relationships with some of the other greeters. I’m also enhancing relationships with congregants who I already know who attend services.

Lesley: Not really, although I do think I'm recognizing more people and they are recognizing me, which gives me a warm feeling. And when I participate in other volunteer activities at Bet Shalom, I tend to be more familiar with most people I come in contact with.

Does participating in congregational life as a greeter have any impact on your spirituality?

Burt: I feel that volunteering as a greeter is in a small way fulfilling tikkun olam, which enhances my spirituality.

Lesley: This is hard to answer, but it does bring me to services more often which ultimately provides a more formal connection than 'zooming' a service or not attending at all.

Do we need more Shabbat greeters?

Burt: We now have four people who are willing to be greeters, and we definitely could use more. I believe that the greeters are only serving on Friday nights at this point. There could be a need for a greeter on Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah. If there are more participants we can make a consistent schedule and have at least one greeter present for every Friday night service and when needed on Saturdays.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Lesley: I'd like to believe that people feel good about being greeted when coming in the door for a service. Certainly most people can hang their coats, see themselves to the sanctuary and start services without having a non-clergy greeting. But I feel it is warmer and more engaging for others if I'm there. I know it is for me!