Madison - Synagogue

For our second trip we went to a synagogue in Madison. I was really looking forward to this experience because I had never been in a synagogue before. I didn't know what to expect but I can say that the actual synagogue wasn't anything I had pictured. It was a very interesting place though and I enjoyed the experience.
One of the features which I found most interesting about the synagogue was the symbols for the twelve tribes of Israel being on the curtains covering the arc. Their placement there made them very prominent in the synagogue. Of course being Catholic I know quite a lot about the twelve tribes but they are not as important to the Catholic tradition as they are to the Jewish. (The twelve disciples take the place of the twelve tribes.) Because they aren't as significant to the faith which I grew up learning I was intrigued to see such an emphasis put on them in the synagogue.
Beth taught us that Judaism doesn't believe in having much in terms of idols, which was why the synagogue was very simply decorated (very unlike the Dyersville Basilica.) However, kind of like the Monastery, light can be used as a way to bring character to a building. Beth said that all synagogues needed to have natural light as well as a light that never goes out. There were also many little features that included lights (little ones). Because of how much light was a feature of the two Catholic Churches we saw I found that the ways in which light was present in the synagogue to be very interesting. The main explanation for the light of the synagogue was that Jews believe it to be representative of Gods constant presence. As I already noted, light is a main feature to Catholic Churches, stain glass windows and numerous candles being a good example. But I have never heard this explanation for lighting until being at the synagogue. I thought that it was very interesting.
Going to a Catholic Church my whole life means that to me a normal worship space consists of wooden benches and kneelers. The padded chairs of the synagogue definitely did not fit in any of the pictures I imagined prior to going to the synagogue. They were comfy, and if you had to sit there for a while they would be nice to have. However, because what I am used to are Benches and kneelers I was not really a fan of the synagogues chairs. I felt to much as if I was at a movie theatre or a play. Chairs are such a material aspect to consider though.
I have always thought that I had a decent impression of the Judaism. However, after the reading so much about it, visiting an actual synagogue and speaking with practicing Jews I have realized that my understanding of Jews/ Judaism was completely based off of the New Testament which is rather biased. I now think that I have a much better understanding of what the life of a practicing Jew looks like and I am grateful for the chance to visit a synagogue for an even better understanding.