October 14, 2016 – Sarasota, FL

You can pray with someone side by side for 15 years and miss little details about them that actually connect you. Our friends, Lori and Bruce Dorman, were informally introducing themselves to Temple Emanu-El’s new rabbi, Michael Schiffrin, several Shabbats ago.Their common bond was that the Rabbi Schiffrin is from Los Angeles and the Dormans graduated from UCLA. My husband, Steve, was standing near the conversation, and chimed in, “Hey, I was support crew for the St. Thomas Sailing Team in the 1984 Olympics.” Lori’s eyes lit up. “Wait,” she gleaned, “I was there too, and spent a lot of time with those guys.” Steve recanted, “Well, there weren’t many of us; who do you know? Eric Zucker, Trace Turvo?” “Yes, both of them,” Lori cheered. “Eric Zucker was our wedding photographer and childhood friend,” Steve smiled.  Small world. That very conversation led to tonight’s Shabbat dinner celebration.

The hot days of summer have finally given way to cool evenings, and the lanai became our celebration destination. The table was set with all the Shabbat props: candlesticks, decorative Israeli candles, a kiddush cup, the Publix challah and its cover, festive plates, Ménage Trois wine, traditional rum drinks, oven baked Corvina fish with special Humbug sauce, tropical fruits (rambuttan, dragon fruit, Jackfruit), and green beans. Our son, Jake, joined us and engaged in conversation with the good doctor, Bruce, about airway procedures, the increase of potent heroine on the streets of Bradenton, and other assorted EMT/Doctor conversations.

We moved from fruity appetizers to the Shabbat table from prayers, a delicious meal, and thoughtful conversation. I shared my Thor rescue story which no one would believe, including myself, unless I had pictures to prove the event which I did. (This is for another blog.) We each shared travel stories including Costa Rica experiences or lack thereof, parents as babysitters, and biking adventures. We avoided discussions about politics, religion, and our grown kids. It was refreshing. Listening to each other’s stories and breaking bread together created a new dimension in our long relationship as Temple members. Observing the Shabbat as it is commanded in the Torah has elevated our mindfulness of observing the pause in our daily grind, participating in the prep of it, and sharing the moment with each other, our friends, and our kids. It matters. Good Shabbat!