Passover in Brooklyn

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.