The Rosh HaShana Strike

Tomorrow is Rosh Hashana, and there is also a major strike scheduled. We got a note from the mother of Jonah's classmate, Lior, inviting us to services at the mostly American synagogue in Paris. Lior's family is South African, and has been in Paris for 8 years. We haven't met them yet, but the teachers at the creche had mentioned us to them, and we appreciated her reaching out to us like that for the holidays. The only trick will be getting there, because it is clear on the other side of town and there is a major strike planned for tomorrow. In that French way of not wanting a strike to disturb people's lives too much, they have listed in the papers which trains will be running at normal capacity (a few lines), which will be running half as many as usual, a third as many, etc. Some of the teachers at Ella's school are also striking (although her teacher is not), some mail carriers, air traffic controllers, etc. Hopefully we'll be able to work around it.

One more note of something to remember: although usually I think vending machines are not a great thing (increasing the consumption of junk food and all that), a French book store has just introduced a new concept here - book vending machines - just in case it's late at night or a Sunday and all the stores are closed and you really need a book. We passed one the other day and couldn't help giving it a try. For 2 euros each, Abe got a book on symbols in art, and I got a book on French sayings and idioms.

Shana Tovah everyone!