Shabbat/Hanukkah

As usual, I had an “interesting” Shabbat this weekend. My flat mate went to visit relatives, leaving me on my own. This is really only about the 4th time I have been alone for Shabbat since I got here.

I went to the conservative shul for Friday night services. Instead of the cantor, services were led by 2 girls. I found out later that one is going into the army in the next couple of weeks. While the co-leaders had nice voices, they clearly did not know about restraint and at times overpowered the congregation. I only notice this because I have a tendency to do the same and have been actively working on not doing that. While the melodies were familiar, I also noticed that there were variations between the way the music is written and they way it was performed. (I have the music for some of the melodies and have heard this before.) The congregation seems to like the melodies of Shlomo Carlebach as they did a number of prayers using close approximations of his melodies.

I thought that, because I was invited to a friend’s mother’s apartment for Shabbat dinner and the conservative shul was about half-way there that this would be a perfect “plan”. As it turned out, services ended at about 5:45 and I was not supposed to be there until 7. I took the opportunity to wander into the Great Synagogue and then decided that, since I still had over an hour before the invitation, I would walk back to the apartment to relax for a few minutes and grab my hat. (I recently got a haircut and it was getting cold so thought this would help keep me a bit warmer, especially on the way back when it would be even cooler. I was right, it did.)

I walked to my friend’s mother’s place, arriving there at about 6:55. There were 3 other people beside my friend that I knew, plus my friend’s son and his girlfriend. As I had met my friend’s family before, I know everyone that was there. This was somewhat of a pleasant surprise, as I never know who I am going to run into when going somewhere for Shabbat dinner.

The dinner was marvelous, and I stayed until almost 10:30. My friends and I all started walking together towards a point where we would split up and go our separate ways. When we got to that point, 2 of them headed off one way and I started walking with the other. As we were walking and talking, I found out that she lives in the Old City. She indicated that she was not really comfortable walking alone by Independence Park, so I walked with her all the way to some stairs leading up to the Jaffa Gate at the end of the Mamilla Mall. Along the way we say a “giant” dreidel in a store window. (I have posted a picture of it below that was taken on my walk Sunday morning.) The walk back to the apartment from the Old city was another 35 minutes and I was quite “pooped” and had sore feet from all the walking. Still, it was a wonderful evening.

On Saturday morning I got up late and walked to the reform temple for services. (They start later, so I did not have to miss anything.) Once again after services I stayed to talk to the people, none of whom I know, for almost an hour. Some of the congregants and officers commented on my voice and asked me if I would perform there for them. While it was gratifying to know that they wanted me to perform in a cantorial role for them, there are too many changes to the liturgy that would be required and that I am not comfortable with for me to do so.

After Shabbat was over I lit the Hanukkia, a special menorah used for Hanukkah. After lighting the candles and sitting down to watch them for a few minutes my thoughts turned to my wife, who is alone in the US now. I was once again awed by her strength. I must admit that I felt sad that we were not together for the holiday, but am also gladdened by the fact that I will see her in a few days.

On my stroll Sunday morning I walked to the Kotel and back. I walked past the Prime Minister’s house and the demonstration area in support of Gilad Shalit and took pictures of the area they have set up for Hanukkah.




Since I did not post this at the time, I wanted to also show the display they had set up for Sukkot. (This display is still up.)



I mentioned a large dreidel that I saw on Friday night. Following is a picture of it.




Walking in the Old City, on one of the approaches to the Kotel, is a large golden menorah that is a replica of the ones from the second Temple.




On the way back, also in the Old City, I came across a shop that sells models of the Temple Mount as it appeared during the times of the Second Temple.




Finally, I saw a T-shirt that I liked and that needs no additional explanation.