The House of Prayer is where the community comes to pray on Zabbah, the day of rest. It is a circular building with a raised stone platform in the middle and pews radiating outwards in concentric rings.

Above the pulpit is a raised skylight. Hanging from this alcove is the Eternal Flame, a flame kept burning by oil. One of the Rosh Kahal’s, the community administrators, duties is to ensure a constant supply of oil. Our light has not gone out since the House of Prayer was built 209 years ago.

My favorite sight every Zabbah is when the Eternal Flame is lowered to the pulpit and the women of our community light their candle. Thus, they carry The Light into their homes for Zabbah.