Now that I've got DSL for my apartment, I can finally start to contribute. So here's my first entry of substance....
It's now been 3 weeks since I've moved from sleepy, ol' Hyde Park, up north to Lakeview. All in all, things have been going just fine, although my apartment is still a mess (but is in the process of obtaining some sense of order). A few observations on the neighborhood, and Anshe Shalom:
1) The bus ride to work has been rather different than the one I had while coming up from Hyde Park. It's pretty clear how segregated this city is, and apparently iPod sales must be booming in this neck of the woods, as everyone seems to be sporting the white headphones. Now that I am amongst the yuppies and bourgeois, does this make me a yuppy or bourgeois? I certainly hope not, but my pink shirt seems to indicate otherwise.
2) Anshe Shalom is really big. Never again will I ever have to feel guilty about coming to minyan late because I might be that 10th guy. Also, I would imagine long gone are the days when I get to lein every week. It's so big, that I think it's almost too big. To some extent, I sorta miss having to scratch and claw for a minyan, and having the honor of leining every week (although I'm sure my occasional no-shows won't be missed). The flip side to being in such a large community is that a) the kiddush is really large (and doesn't have snot on it); b) there is an eruv, and apparently a mikveh on the way as well (in which I'd hope there are no sharks); c) plenty of learning opportunities (into which I hope to infuse myself).
3) As I sit inside trying to study for another regulatory exam I have coming up (clearly the studying isn't that effective), I can't help but notice how many people are partaking in the Gay Pride parade outside. Several people from shul urged to me check it out, saying how much fun it is. Would I ever receive such encouragements from people at Yavneh? Probably not, as they'd be too busy urging me not to get my snot over the potato chips on the kiddush table.
Is Lakeview the anti-Hyde Park? Time will tell...
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
12 years ago
4 comments:
Who cares if you're yuppy or bourgeois? You like New York —I've got you dead to rights on that count alone!
Your inarticulate rambling is as bizzare as ever. Let's take your third point. What is it you intend to say? Is it that Yavneh is not as liberal as Lakeview? Are we too self absorbed with shul politics? Are we just insular (caring only about what happens in our building)? Per usual, I am so very confused.
If Abe is still around, tell him I say hi.
I think you meant there is an "eruv."
One of the things i remember about Anshe Shalom is the rabbi speaking in between every aliya. Is that really necessary??
So did you go check out the gay parade or not?
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