The Great Synagogue

I attended Shabbat services today at the Great Synagogue. I surely lives up to its name.
Very near the Fuchsberg Center, this large building is both synagogue and museum. The walls of the main lobby are lined with shocases displaying thousands of mezzuzoth. They vary in size, material, and design.
Upstairs the main sanctuary is round and several stories high with a women's section above. There are some stained glass windows above the ark and towards the rear.
The service is lead by a magnificent cantor and a men's choir. They combined to produce an awesome experience. The singing was worthy of any concert. Today was Shabbat mevorchim Av and the Rosh Chodesh bentshing was a pleasure to hear.
Unlike many orthodox synagogues that I have been to, they do not seem to mind repeating a few words during the davening for musical purposes. The ending of the Rosh Chodesh bentshing was also a little different than I am used to. Notably too, they said Anim Zemirot just before taking out the Torah rather than at the end of Musaf.
During the afternoon I took a well needed Shabat nap. In the evening I took a walk to Ben Yehudah St. When I got there at about 9:00 it was pretty quiet. Soon buses lined up as far as the eye could see bringing young people who filedl the street. There was dancing, music, and lots of crowding. When I left at nearly 11:00 the party was just beginning.
I sensed a contrast between the mostly American youth who were in the street acting silly and the Israelis, not much older, working in the stores and wearing army uniforms carrying rifles.