Emanuel (God is with us) Congregation is a small, traditional and cooperative Modern Orthodox congregation in northeast Seattle. Services are conducted following Ashkenazic Orthodox liturgy. The complete annual cycle of weekly Torah and Haftarah readings are chanted by a reader with cantillations in standard Orthodox tradition. Members and guests, men and women, deliver Shabbat divrei Torah.
Services at Emanuel are patterned after the “partnership minyan” model. Women, as well as men, may lead Kabbalat Shabbat, P’sukei D’zimrah, the Shacharit Torah service, read from the Torah, chant Haftarah, and receive aliyot to the Torah. Men lead Shacharit and Ma’ariv services. At Emanuel Congregation every Jewish adult, man or woman, counts toward a minyan.
The congregation’s seating policy offers a large section for mixed seating for men and women, as well as separate sections for men and women on opposite sides of the bimah.  Both the men’s section and women’s section are enclosed by a mechitzah.
Celebrating its 45th year, Emanuel Congregation offers its members and guests a beautiful setting for worship in an atmosphere of inspiration, friendship and cooperation.
As a traditionally lay congregation, members take pride in the “do-it-yourself” aspect of the synagogue.  Emanuel is fortunate, however, to have Boaz Pnini as Emanuel’s chazzan and ba’al kriah, and is available to train members in participatory roles in services. Cantor Pnini is also available privately to instruct Bar and Bat Mitzvah students.
Hadassah holds monthly book reviews and study groups at the synagogue, meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.
At High Holiday services, there has never been a charge for seating, although it is frequently “standing-room only.” Emanuel welcomes all worshippers and encourages membership commitment. Guests are always welcome on Shabbat and holidays.
Weekly services:
Friday: 6 p.m.; Saturday: 9:30 a.m.
Holiday services: Visit the website.