Re:

[Chazzzan <Chazzzan...>]

Rachelle, are you familiar with the thinking behind the mechitzah, separating
men from women in a traditional synagogue?  In our shul, almost no women
attend of Friday night, while we have a full house on Shabbat morning.

In many Orthodox synagogues, women are no longer relegated to the back of the
room or a balcony.  In our synagogue, women have an equal view and
participation in the services.  We wanted people from all backgrounds to feel
comfortable in our shul.

The only drawback is that I cannot sit with my wife, as we used to in the
Conservative synagogue, and hug and kiss a lot.

Shabbat Shalom

Brian