Same Same But Different

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Our Dublin synagogue is sparsely furnished but has all the requisite parts. The wooden floor is worn, the pews creak, the prayer book has its usual heft. Most comforting are the faces: I am introduced to Max, wearing the face of my Uncle Buddy. Hillary is my Mom’s friend Ethel. Together, we flap the pages of our prayer books, weave back and forth in prayer and song, pretend that we are tuneful when we’re not.

We fast.

So here’s what’s different: The synagogue is at an undisclosed location, so we tell the taxi driver we’re going to a community hall. There are no obvious signs out front, just a street number by the gate. Inside, a teenage girl stands on a stool to light the candelabra. When she reaches up, her petticoat is visible below her hem. The choir is made up of five women and, for the whole of Yom Kippur, they sing like the angels. The final shofar blast blows us forward for havdallah. The rabbi chuckles as the youngsters drip wax onto the carpet.

In a tiny kitchen, an elderly man is brewing tea. It is hot and strong and goes well with the daffodil-yellow sponge cake. Our fists full of sponge cake, we are whisked away to break the fast. Somewhere in the suburbs, our hostess serves us homemade soup in china teacups and I get a lesson on how to poach a salmon, fresh from the Irish Sea. We exchange addresses, scribble down phone numbers, go out on a limb and invite everyone to visit us in Paris or Vancouver. I know you’re thinking that this never happens, but I have the strongest feeling otherwise.

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Comments

[Ron]

Can't take any credit
Kudos to Liz for her fine way with words. I had a great time at the break the fast with David Goldberg, QC, of the Irish Defence Bar. (almost 40 years). Nice to trade war stories. He insists on sleeping on the floor of our Paris flat with his nice wife, Dr. Clara. Hi to everybody.

[isme]

what an experience
What a beautiful experience for a lifelong memory. I would have loved to share with you. So incredible to meet different people in a different country so far away from home but with comfortable familiarities. Isme.

[Karen]

exchanging names
Hi guys Lovely account of your Yom Kippur in what sounds like a very odd location. Don't forget that we exchanged names and addresses in France and you haven't been able to get rid of us for he last 11 years! Keep the postings coming LOL K, I K S

[zena]

How wonderful
Really enjoyed hearing about your experience... your title is very appropriate. It does give you a feeling of comfort yet a new experience. We spent our time in Toronto.. funning thing... they also had yellow sponge cake that was distrubted after he service was over. Take care. Am thinking of you. Zena

[Shevy]

I could smell...
What a wonderful description! I can smell the old furniture and almost see the people you met... Gmar Chatima Tova, Shevy

[susan]

Thanks so much for your wonderful details - we feel like we are there with you. What great experiences you will have...take care... Susan and Richard

[Andy]

high Holy Day security
Ron told me that before he left Van, he had found a Dublin synagogue that charged $100 for tickets and only after receiving the money would they disclose the location of the services to the purchaser. Does that mean that any prospective terrorists would have to buy a $100 ticket before they could proceed with their plan?

[Betty Purdy]

Very exciting
Your Yom Kippur is so exciting Do take in eveything so you can tell us at home. Take care and have fun.

[Marcie]

Very interesting. I don't believe why didn't either of you know how to poach salmon. Happy new year! - Mom

[Miri]

better than a novel
Liz, Your gift for writing shines and you convey the Yom Kippur experience in such an interesting, meaningful way. May you and Ron continue to gather adventures and happily share them.

[[e-mail]]

It sounds wonderful. Ilove the photo of Ron. We're enjoying Berlin and keep meeting people too. Christopher trys his 10 or so words or so of German on everyone and it seems to work. Not many people speak English this visit. Our apartment is so large that we keep getting lost in it, we really do. The little lap top we brought with us cuts out all the time, so I'll close for now. Have fun. Carolyn

[sara]

tnx for the blog
Good to keep in touch with you. Needless to say;how very lucky and creative you are to make this experience a reality. miss you S

[Flaury Bubel]

"undisclosed location"
This reminds me of the Spanish synagogues during Franco's time!