Wednesday, October 14, 2009

San Miguel - WOW

Yes!
A very interesting story only G-d could think up.
When I was invited they asked me if I could come for the last days since the religious leader, although grew up in a conservative home, never celebrated a Hoshana Rabba or Shmini Atzeres and would love to learn how to do it.
They have a small Shul in San Miguel de Allende. Actually they rent a meeting room at a hotel. About 35 or so people came each service and the services were very inpirational. The people were so eager to learn and participate.
There were 3 Succos there and even one family who has a strictly kosher home and Shomer Shabbos.
It was a real wonderful experience. I think for them too. Plus this town is a very beautiful place, it has a certain energy and the buildings are colorful, all Old Spanish colonial architecture.
And then after Yom Tov the next day a couple people drove me to another town called Guanajuato, which was just stunning, to meet a group of 8 Jews who wanted to talk and had questions (some about kosher). We met at this cafe where the café owner was Jewish who asked me how he can make his cafe kosher!
It was a fabulous experience.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

WOW its been a long time since I wrote.
Well I thought I was going to be able to write a " travelling rabbi" blog as I was supposed to go away for Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and again the last days of Succos. Well the RH YK thing didn't work out and I'm just away now for the last days. But I thought that this trip is worthwhile writing about.
I was invited to be the guest Rabbi for the small community of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. And wonders of technology I am writing this using my cell phone with the wifi on the bus going from Mexico City to San Mig.
I spent the night in Mexico City which is a wonderful city with a VERY strong and vibrant Jewish community. I always enjoyed myself here. I'll let you all know how good the bakery I went to is as soon as I taste the stuff.
San Miguel is an old colonial town which is supposed to be real beautiul which is why many artists and americans live there.
I'll write about it when I see it.
Meanwhile the scenery from the bus window is pleasent enough.