I thought I'd mention a much needed resource that has come my way. As I was preparing for this trip -yes, I had read the part of the overview about working with a Jewish company. At least I think that's what it said, but I figured, well, I'll catch up on the holidays for the time we're there and that should do it. After all, at home I attend the Unitarian Church and naturally downplay or ignore differences, really on a need to know basis. However, the provision of a Jewish home life is the main emphasis of the services provided through Langdon Community. So I find myself in need of the "Idiot's Guide."
I celebrated my first Purim this week. We went up to a Jewish community center with a group of individuals from the agency and attended a big celebration. Now here's the brief story for those of you who don't know the story of Esther, niece of Mordecai, queen to King Ahasureus of Persia. For those of you who do know the story, please skip this part. Esther was secretly Jewish, but revealed her identity to the king in time to persuade him to defeat a great villain, Haman, who planned to destroy the Jewish people. Purim celebrates this victory. We are commanded to eat, drink, and be merry. The group we accompanied had a great time at the party with costumes, dancing, eating and, of course drinking.
Shabbat is the weekly Sabbath that begins Fridays at sundown. Last Friday we were invited for our first Shabbes Dinner. Shabbat Candles were lit and a blessing was recited, and we were served a traditional meal featuring roast chicken. It was all very interesting. However, this Friday, to simplify things, we are planning to leave the neighborhood and have a non-traditional, non-kosher dinner out in Manchester.
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Hello TILL Ambassadors!
ReplyDeleteWow, now that you've been introduced to Purim and Shabbot dinners, you'll have to spend some time with the men at the Brookline Residence.
TILL's annual Seder Dinner at Passover will be at the Dedham Residence, I'll make sure you're on the invite list.
I see that your blog is set up to comment to each of your postings separately, I hope you got the run down of Selena & Alison's first few days when I commented on your 1st posting?
As we busily prepare for April Madness, we are planning to have you be "Ambassadors" as part of our Dedham Connection - will explain when you're back stateside.
Ta ta
Hi! Yes- I saw your previous posting. Thanks for writing. I trust you, I know you'll set up all the right meetings even if I have no idea what you're talking about. We only have a few more days before we have to say our goodbyes in Manchester. I hadn't thought about how tough that was going to be.
ReplyDeleteLaters.