It was just the balm that Rebecca needed on today.
Today was my last full day in Houston, and I'm kinda sad to be leaving tomorrow. I've enjoyed my stay here so much, today especially. I went for another walk around Aunt Vickie and Uncle Mark's subdivision, and then I drove back out to the JCC for another movie. Today they showed The Flat, a documentary about a man cleaning out his grandparents' apartment after their deaths and discovering shocking secrets. I know my summary makes it sound cheesey, but it was so good. I would definitely recommend it. I would recommend everything I've seen at this film festival!
The only drawback was that this film was shown earlier in the day than most in the program and came with a senior-citizen discount. So the audience was older, and I guess old people don't know how to silence their cell phones because I have never in my life heard so many cell phones go off during a movie! I was honestly shocked my how constantly it happened. After the movie, I browsed through the JCC's gift shop, which had been closed during all of my previous visits. They had so much neat Passover stuff for sale, but I resisted the temptation to buy anything. After that, I walked and snacked in a park near the JCC.
But by far the best part of the day was the Shabbat evening service that I just got back from. The Rebecca I met yesterday invited me to her synagogue, and I'm so glad I took up her offer. It was my first time at a Conservative service, and I really enjoyed it. Not to knock Reform Judiasm, but it felt so much more spiritual. There was more Hebrew and more kippahs. All the women waved their hands during the blessing over the candles. Everyone stood and faced the entrance to greet the Sabbath bride. I believe there's a Conservative synagogue in the city we're planning to move to. I might up joining that instead of the Reform one! I mean, I loved it.
But even better than the service were the people here. They were so warm and welcoming to me, not just Rebecca (who invited me to sit with her family), but all of them. It was wonderful. I stayed with for dinner after services (although the food wasn't great -- too healthy) and even though I was at a table full of people I didn't know, I didn't feel out-of-place at all. I think when you're a minority, there's a feeling of safety/familiarity that you get when you're in a crowd of people like you. I can't really explain it, but I certainly felt it. I asked the people at my table what they did for Purim last month and heard all sorts of crazy stories about alcohol, stand-up comedy, and men dressed in drag! I was sad to leave the place.
And just look at this awesome watermelon kippah I was sitting behind! I felt kinda weird taking photos during the service, but when I saw this, I couldn't resist. Where do you even find a watermelon kippah?
I was also amazed by how young the congregation was. There were lots of babies and little kids. There were people my age! Not just one or two, but many of them! I had never, ever seen that before (it's certainly never the case at my hometown temple) and that makes me kinda sad. I'm not sure I even would've believed that such young congregations existed. It's just so different from the Judaism I've known. It also makes me happy we're moving. There are so many other ways to be Jewish, and I want to experience some of them.
Ken y'hi ratzon -- may this always be God's will.
The only drawback was that this film was shown earlier in the day than most in the program and came with a senior-citizen discount. So the audience was older, and I guess old people don't know how to silence their cell phones because I have never in my life heard so many cell phones go off during a movie! I was honestly shocked my how constantly it happened. After the movie, I browsed through the JCC's gift shop, which had been closed during all of my previous visits. They had so much neat Passover stuff for sale, but I resisted the temptation to buy anything. After that, I walked and snacked in a park near the JCC.
But by far the best part of the day was the Shabbat evening service that I just got back from. The Rebecca I met yesterday invited me to her synagogue, and I'm so glad I took up her offer. It was my first time at a Conservative service, and I really enjoyed it. Not to knock Reform Judiasm, but it felt so much more spiritual. There was more Hebrew and more kippahs. All the women waved their hands during the blessing over the candles. Everyone stood and faced the entrance to greet the Sabbath bride. I believe there's a Conservative synagogue in the city we're planning to move to. I might up joining that instead of the Reform one! I mean, I loved it.
But even better than the service were the people here. They were so warm and welcoming to me, not just Rebecca (who invited me to sit with her family), but all of them. It was wonderful. I stayed with for dinner after services (although the food wasn't great -- too healthy) and even though I was at a table full of people I didn't know, I didn't feel out-of-place at all. I think when you're a minority, there's a feeling of safety/familiarity that you get when you're in a crowd of people like you. I can't really explain it, but I certainly felt it. I asked the people at my table what they did for Purim last month and heard all sorts of crazy stories about alcohol, stand-up comedy, and men dressed in drag! I was sad to leave the place.
And just look at this awesome watermelon kippah I was sitting behind! I felt kinda weird taking photos during the service, but when I saw this, I couldn't resist. Where do you even find a watermelon kippah?
I was also amazed by how young the congregation was. There were lots of babies and little kids. There were people my age! Not just one or two, but many of them! I had never, ever seen that before (it's certainly never the case at my hometown temple) and that makes me kinda sad. I'm not sure I even would've believed that such young congregations existed. It's just so different from the Judaism I've known. It also makes me happy we're moving. There are so many other ways to be Jewish, and I want to experience some of them.
Ken y'hi ratzon -- may this always be God's will.