We returned to the Troy and Albany, NY area spending the weekend with Jeff and with cousins (son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren of Jo and Rich in Denver). Continuing the celebration of Hudson’s coming to the New World, we had a chance to see a replica of his ship the Half Moon. The boat was manned by costumed actors. Along the bank were settlers and natives sharing their own customs and lifestyles.
We enjoyed seeing all this through the eyes of eight-year-old Edan and six-year-old Liat. Following the celebration we enjoyed the best Vietnamese food we have had outside the actual country.
Monday was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and a day of complete fasting (no comment about all we have eaten so far, please). Jeff joined us for Kol Nidre (the Sunday evening start of the holiday)at a conservative congregation. On Monday, we three went to a younger reform congregation. The Rabbi and Cantor are both women. The cantor and choir were magnificent. The rabbi had the ability to give a special meaning to the day. Even Jerry was reluctant to leave at the end (we left early to break the fast with our cousins).
Anna Lee is rather proud of herself. She came up with a great break-the-fast meal and then sat back and watched Ed (a trained chef), Leora and Jerry prepare it. We had traditional foods including blintzes (Jerry’s), stuffed eggs (Ed’s), kugel (Leora’s) and pear crisp (Jeff’s) and more than made up for not eating for over 24 hours.
We left with two pumpkins decorated by the children and the warmth of having been with family.
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