Rosh HaShana

We were not quite sure what to expect when we set off for Rosh HaShana services this morning, but the whole day turned out to be a wonderful surprise. Despite slightly larger than normal crowds on the train due to the strike (which the French unions have declared a tremendous success), we were able to travel smoothly to the 16th arrondisement where Kehilat Gesher was holding their high holiday services in a borrowed space (their regular building is not big enough for the holidays). We walked in and Jonah loudly announced to the room, "Hey, this not synagogue, this church," which it was, but all Christian iconography had been hidden behind curtains and a rather incongruous balloon arch. The community was incredibly warm and welcoming. Several people came over and introduced themselves and made us feel right at home. The services are led in French, English, and Hebrew all mingled together. Within one responsive reading, all three languages might feature. It sounds odd, but it worked surprisingly well. They had a wonderful choir and a really beautiful piano accompaniment. An interesting note for the linguists out there: In the French, references to God are in the informal (Tu) rather than the formal (Vous).

After a while, the kids went to the babysitting room, where Ella made a friend. It was the little girl of a family on a business/pleasure trip to Paris from Philadelphia. When services ended, Ella and Katie could not bear to part, so we went out with the Seltzer family for lunch (the traditional Rosh HaShana Chinese food) and a walk. We all really enjoyed each other's company - too bad they are returning home tomorrow. We went back for the children's service in the afternoon, which was again led in a mix of three languages, making it one of the most fascinating children's services I have ever attended. In the afternoon, we got to talk a little with the family from Jonah's school who had invited us, who are also very nice. Although it's a bit far to travel for regular services, we learned there is a once a month Sunday school for Ella and Jonah's age, which I think we will start attending.

This evening Abe had his first real French class. There are 17 students representing 16 different countries. The one other anglophone is a British man, whose wife is here on sabbatical (what a coincidence). The class was a mix of conversation and grammar review - a big improvement over the 2 hour exam from last week.