The Great Synagogue — Attraction in Sydney

Not welcoming, not helpful, thank you to the great synagogue for helping me when I was in need and didn’t know what to ask or where to go. I called as it says to, I even explained in my shakey and clearly emotional and shy tone that I was new to the entire experience, it was clear I came in search of faith, looking for direction - and instead I was ultimately turned away. I felt nervous when I was asked to further explain “what I wanted” after expressing my inexperience. I googled first to ask if It was acceptable to do as I did, and I did as it directed me to. After fumbling on my own words unable to explain what it was I wanted to the lady after expressing my inexperience and that I wasn’t sure of the process of entry, I mentioned I was hoping to get a Torah - to which I was told heedlessly “well yeah you can purchase them at the front desk”. Clearly about to cry, my voice was breaking already, was I then expected to push and ask again “please can I purchase one?” Why else would I have said I was in search of one. Why else would I be at the front door of a synagogue on the phone to the receptionist? My heart shut down, I hung up, my inspiration torn and tears streaming from my eyes at the shame I felt for not knowing what to say to get this lady to accept me, not into the building, but to accept me worthy of even a little more direction. I’ve gone through further reviews to see the same had happened to another gentleman looking for entry for a different cultural experience which has made me feel deeply confused. I googled before I walked all of this way, feelings lost within myself already, to find out if I would be welcome - it stated that guests are welcome. I’m not going to rant on about what she could or should have said, because it is clear that no matter the circumstances- all I was seeking was direction, for some help from a place I felt I had been feeling drawn to - instead I was met with only interrogation. Change your page, change what you need to let people know they are not welcome, or what criteria they need to meet in order to be so, because being shut down in the state I was in, has hurt my heart more than I can describe. I have been studying, watching, believing in things that lead me to also believe that this was where my journey started, to nourish the faith I had a strong desire to build on, and you shut it down with one phone call. It’s clear that without certain knowledge (or upbringing I suppose) that I am not good enough to learn or understand Judaism through the help and guidance of...

After calling before hand to check that it was okay that an outsider came, I wanted to come here for a different cultural experience for a uni assignment. I turned up on a Saturday morning Shacharit at 8:45, rang the buzzer and waited around 10 minutes for no one to show up. I did a quick walk around the block to see if there was another entrance and saw some security guards had come out. I was aware that I needed to bring photo ID, and was prepared for some typical security guard ego checks. I seems that I had to explain myself 3 times over for the gentlemen, not sure if it was because he wasn't listening, or was too busy talking on his radio whilst we were chatting, and gave him my ID, let him search my bag, gave him every reason why I was there and answered every question he had. After the two security guards deliberated, they decided to not let me in, and gave me no explanation as to why. The gentlemen said the best thing to do is to call up beforehand to make sure, and very quickly remembered, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID. Clearly there was some ulterior motive for not letting me, of which I did not care to ask, after having my time and patience wasted by these two lovely people. It does not make sense to me that someone who clearly poses no security threat is turned away and not allowed in. Very welcoming of you guys to turn away someone who is looking to LEARN about your culture. The purpose of my assignment was to have different cultural experiences, and because of the ego trip and paranoia of these two, I was robbed of this. I was looking forward to having my stereotypes challenged and being educated on this, but clearly your community does not care for outsiders, nor interested in educating anyone who is not in your in-group. Overall, extremely disappointed and angry at being told that visitors are always welcome and encouraged, and being shut down...

Before you visit make sure you call. Most hours are 9To5 on Friday they close early. However I was going there today when I finished my lunch at the tower. When I pushed the intercom for access I was told that they close at 3 to the public. I could not find that when I planned my trip. Sad I have to fly out tomorrow. I won't take a chance to walk back there from where I'm staying. No apology from person on the other side of the microphone. They also need a better...