Late Friday afternoon, the whole incoming HUC class was asked to be at school an hour and a half before services. We did a Torah study about Shabbat in the Torah, just working in partners and small groups, and it made me look forward, even more, to classes starting for real in September. Just before services started, I was thrilled to see Rabbi Perlin walk into the sanctuary, and even more thrilled to get a great big hug. Hugs from home are definitely needed and appreciated over here! Services, led again by the interns, were one of the most comfortable I've been to since being here, which was great. After services, we had dinner with a visiting alumni group, so I sat at a table with a bunch of students and Rabbi Perlin. It was great to catch up with news from Temple B'nai Shalom and such a friendly face! No, we didn't plan to match.
Saturday morning services were in a different sanctuary, one added much later, which has an entire glass front overlooking the Old City. It's beautiful! The services weren't exactly in my favorite style, but they were nice, and there was a good view to make up for it! All of this weekend's sermons and speakers referenced the "situation," but things really haven't changed here in Jerusalem. It's hard to believe, but we're pretty removed from everything. I spent the afternoon quietly, just hanging out with friends.
Saturday evening, about 20-25 of us got together for Havdalah. We met up on a patio overlooking the Old City. When we first got there, there was another group already doing their own Havdalah, so we waited until they were done. By the time we were ready to get started, another group had arrived to do Havdalah. Apparently it's a good spot! We invited them to join us, but they declined, so since they started first, we sang some other songs and waited until they were finished. There was another couple watching us and clearly enjoying our three-guitar service, which was really nice. After Havdalah, we stayed there and just sang a whole bunch of (Hebrew) songs for peace for a good half hour. While we were singing, another (clearly foreign) group showed up, and when we didn't show signs of finishing, they went elsewhere. But as they were leaving, several people took pictures of our group. So I have now been part of a tourist attraction in Israel! It was only about an hour total, but it was an amazing evening.
Shavuah Tov...have a good week!
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