Reconstructionism is egalitarian and at Shir Hadash we add references to our foremothers as well as our forefathers. Some people use the traditional formulation but understand it allegorically. The second section celebrates God's power. This is done partly responsively and partly in unison. Some prayer books refer to the Amidah as a silent prayer, but it is more accurately described as a private prayer.
Some people pull the tallit over their head to block out distraction.
There is a tradition that after completing the Amidah prayer, one may add private prayers. At Shir Hadash, we believe it is important to give each person as much time as needed to complete this period of private prayer, so we do not proceed until everyone is finished. When most people have finished, we begin to hum quietly and continue until all have completed their prayers. Some people take three steps backward as they complete their private prayer at the end of the Amidah. We then bring the Torah to the reading desk to read the weekly portion.