Blogs from Connecticut, United States, North America - page 3

"Az der rebbe zingt...And when the rebbe sings..." is the title of a moderately well-known Yiddish song created originally by the opponents of Hasidism in Eastern Europe to mock the Hasids who followed their rebbe in ways that suggested unthinking devotion. But the Hasidim found the song delightful, not in the least because it indicated that their critics and rivals were paying attention to them and their ways. The song caught on. It's been passed down through the generations and across the ocean to a remote part of northwestern Connecticut. On a recent Shabbat evening I found myself at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center singing it gustily in the company of a spirited fellowship of comrades in prayer, song, study, and friendship, all of us part of Jewish Renewal's Davennin' Leadership Training Institute (DLTI for short). ... read more

Well hello there friends and relatives. You will all be shocked to hear that Noel and I managed to leave Australia without any lost passport issues, explosives swabs or cavity searches. Our flight with Delta to the US was really great. A bit bumpy in parts but not bad. The best bit for Noel was the leg room and for me it was the 3, not 2, but 3 meals they served and the fact that we didn't end up in the Pacific! We had a day stay at the Travelodge LAX, which I would have to say is not the best looking motel in town, but when you only want a sleep and a shower it served it's purpose. We jumped on the "red eye" to New Jersey where we picked up a car for ... read more

We are somewhere in Connecticut! The first stop will be bathroom only. We got off to a late start but luckily our only item on the agenda for today is tonight's dinner cruise on the Potomac! The kids were nice and quiet for about an hour (it was very nice). I will post when we stop!! ... read more

Geo: 41.3547, -71.9709The US Navy submarine school (and Coastguard Academy) is located nearby at New London, on the Thames River. The first US nuclear submarine forms the centre-piece of the adjacent Submarine Force Library and Museum, along with many other interesting exhibits.A little further over is the Mystic River, with the Mystic Seaport maritime museum on its banks. Not the same Mystic River as in the Sean Penn/Tim Robbins movie of that name, which is in Boston.In the evening we had drinks and dinner at home with Caron and Mark. Tomorrow we head off with them to visit Newport, Rhode Island.... read more

Geo: 41.7638, -72.6696After a third great hotel breakfast, where Robyn has been teaching Australianisms to one of the boisterous wait staff, we boarded the coach at 9am. A 2017 model with very swish seating and amenities.First stop a tour of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. They lost last night to Cleveland and their finals campaign is ended, so there were some long faces. Then on to the towns of Lexington and Concord for more details on the Revolutionary War.In the afternoon a 90min drive SW on the Mass. Pike to Hartford, Connecticut where we stayed the night. Hartford (pop 122,000) is known as the insurance capital of America.... read more