Written April 17, 2014
To all my friends & beloved family,
Shalom and Chag Same'ach.
As
some of you know, when I write my letters from Israel, I end with "only
in Israel", this letter will end with "only in New-York".
A
couple of day before the the Passover holy-day, as I was standing in
the lobby of my building, two young man stopped to ask direction to a
destination in NYC. Very common tourist practice, as we are located in
the center of the east side, within walking distance to many Subway and
bus stations.
Our doorman directed the question to me when he said, "she knows all about
the subway".
After providing the information, I was interested to know where those tourist came from.
The
two young man, as I estimated were no older then 25 years old, only one
was a spokesperson, which sounded to me as a perfect American English,
with a tinge of an accent, that I took as Middle-America.
Well, I had to know where they came from. Was
very surprise to hear they were from Riga, Latvia.
Now,
we are getting more familiar, telling me his name is Dimitri and his
friend addressing himself with a name I could not pronounce and by now,
don't remember. We are exchanging name information, and
Dimitri asks me where I am from ?? (can't hide my accent), to my answer, "from Israel", Dimitri started to
speak in Hebrew.
Just a few words , but Hebrew it was.
At that point, Dimitri asked me If I know, where can he celebrate the Passover Seder.
I
am sure you all heard the phrase "Never Assume", but I did assume he
resides in Manhattan. The Idea to call Rabbi Elli from my congregation
came up, as our congregation has a community Seder.
We exchanged phone numbers, and
they
left.
A few hours latter I call Dimitri to check his place of dwelling while in NY. (Remember Don't Assume ?)
Dimitri
was staying with friends in BROOKLYN in the Kings Hwy. area, just a hop
and a skip from where Avishay & Barbara live, and where I was
celebrating the Pessach, with my entire family.
Needless to say,
Dimitri was a guest at our
table.
He arrived at the house early, so he joined Avishay going to the Synagogue for Services.
Dimitri had no problem to followed the reading of the Hagada in Hebrew & English.
When
it came to the 4 questions of why we do celebrate the Pessach, Shir,(my
youngest granddaughter) sang them in Hebrew, Elino'ar recited them in
Yiddish, Akiko, my
daughter in law asked
them in Japaneses. Dimitri, did the best, he asked in Russian and in
German. ( He studies in Germany).
p.s, the food was delicious, kudos to Barbara.
As I said, Only in NY. Have a very happy Holy Day. Chag Same'ach
Love to you all, Me, Estherika, Ludmilla, Esther.
