Prague Journal

Friday, October 29, 2004

Because my absentee ballot finally came in today’s mail, I ended up going to the American Embassy twice, first in the morning to submit a write-in Federal ballot and then in the afternoon to send the complete Colorado ballot I had just received. I was assured that the ballots would be sent by Diplomatic Pouch and in the US mail to Colorado no later than Monday. I hope my vote will be counted in Tuesday’s election. This election, like last time, is very close. Rick is taking every opportunity to celebrate the possibility of a new president. He has only another four days to retain his optimism.
Peter Gyori had used the four-day holiday weekend as an opportunity to invite two groups of Jewish youths to Prague from Slovakia, one from Bratislava and the other from Košice, Peter’s hometown. Bejt Praha, which at one time had been a marginalized group, is now part of the Jewish Community (which has opened its doors to non-orthodox groups), so the youths were invited to services and events at various synagogues in the Prague. Rabbi Narrowe, Bejt Praha’s regular Rabbi, conducted a lovely Kabalat Shabbat service in the Spanish Synagogue. Afterwards, celebrants from several synagogues went to dinner at the King Solomon Restaurant, on the ground floor of the Jewish Town Hall. Among those in attendance was head Rabbi Karel Sidon, seated with orthodox congregants who arrived after their own service at the Altnai Shul next door.
Because the service started at 6 p.m. to accommodate the dinner at 7:30, Rick and I were home before the rain!

posted by JWinn @ 9:33 PM