Shabbat has ended here and ours was a lovely one. We all slept late (after a great dinner at a restaurant I assumed was nothing special -- "Super Pizza" is its name. It turned out to have some of the best fresh pasta and pizza we've had here. Right around the corner) but made it up to Bet-El in time to hear the end of the haftarah. The kids immediately took out their books (we allow this in order to keep them quiet and relatively happy in shul). A couple of old men nearby kept looking over and Eve and I both felt like they were annoyed. Quite the opposite. After services, Aldo (who turned out to the president) greeted us, and welcomed us with a level of warmth that only could be called Fraidsternian. (For those who don't know, Leslie Fraidstern is a member (and former president) of Congregation Bnai Israel and our personal hero. Specifically, he greets everyone, new and old, on Shabbat, raises tens of thousands of dollars for the shul, and thinks our children are the greatest. It seems those characteristics -- especially the last -- should pretty much guarantee him eternal appreciation). Aldo immediately said "This is your home!" He told us about Shabbat afternoon activities for the children, their Camp Ramah in December, and when we asked about getting tickets for High Holiday services, he waved his hands -- "Done!" He then introduced us to the rabbi, who promptly told us to call on Monday and ran to his office to get a me a book on the memorials I have been seeking out (the curbside memorials). Aldo said goodbye and said he expected to see us next Shabbat.
Suffice to say, we felt the open arms of this community.
We made our way home and then took a lovely springtime (yes, we have hit the reverse button and are now re-experiencing springtime) walk to the Japanese Garden...until Jonah felt very sick. We are back home (he seems to be doing better!) watching the U.S. Open, blogging and (Eve is) preparing dinner.
N.B. I was thrilled that at Bet-El they sang Ein Keloheinu to the tune that I remember so well from Bnai Jeshurun in New York, with Ladino verses interspersed with the Hebrew) and which for a period of several months way back when I sang to Jonah, Aviva and Ruthie every single night -- "Daddy Special Way" was its official name.
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