posted by maggie on Jan 26
I went to Shabbat for morning services with Al, it was our first Synagogue in New York. Ahavas Israel Synagogue is a very orthodox shul. We got there just as they were beginning to read from the Tora. This place was built in 1904! The inside was really beautiful and lovely. I sat with two other women upstairs even though I could have sat downstairs if I choose to do so. But, from upstairs, I had a really wonderful view of all the stained glass windows and the various Stars of David that were painted on the walls. My seat felt ancient but very comfortable. Afterward the service, we hung around and the people we met there were all very welcoming.
We then headed downtown to 34th and 5th Avenue, which my Uncle told me when I was a little girl is not downtown but uptown. We only looked at the Empire State Building, we left the going inside and up for another time. The weather is turning, so we thought it wise not to be up high in the wind-chill. We then wandered around window shopping and people watching. One of the most interesting things that always strikes me when I’m here in New York City is the lack of a horizon. In order to see a horizon, one must travel up or go the the edge of the city.
After wandering around a bit more, we decided to head back to one of the small hotels in New York, which is right off of Park Avenue, and it’s our favorite place to stay when ever we come to New York, which is about once a year. Most of my family moved away, but there are still a few relatives here and there. When I visit them, they have a hard time imagining life in Alaska, where we currently live, I just shrug my shoulders and say eh.