Last Shabbat

With three and a half days remaining before we leave, our days our punctuated with many nostalgic "lasts" - the last time we'll see a friend for a year, the last time we'll be downtown for a year, the last time I'll drive on this road for a year, the last time I'll eat delicious and vegetarian split-pea and barley soup at California Pizza Kitchen for a year, etc. Tonight, however, begins our last Shabbat for a year in the United States.

We will be honored on the bima (dais) with a special prayer for those traveling to Israel and, following services, we'll have to say goodbye to the wonderful friends we've made in the few short months we've been members of our shul (synagogue). We're especially sad to say goodbye to the rabbi and hazzan (cantor), both of whom we truly respect and love. The good news is, both of them are planning trips to Israel for the upcoming year and they plan to stop by when they're in Jerusalem :)