Day one was spent in travel. An early flight from Fort Lauderdale brought me to Newark by 10AM. Maccabi USA had a greeter, Alan Sherman, directing traffic. After getting flight receipts and a short wait in line, and a fair amount of exercise for all to keep their luggage moving, we presented our credentials to representatives of El AL. We were asked questions relating to our belongings, as well as if we spoke Hebrew or Yiddush, had family or friends in Israel. I was asked if I knew my hebrew name (which i did!)as well as my Temple affiliation and frequency of attendance. All went well, and we proceeded to baggage checkin.
Just before take off, these Hassidic Gentlemen held a service at the airport.
Hassid's Praying
I’m writing this about 2 hours into the flight. The plane is an aging 747 chock full of Maccabi athletes, coaches, trainers and staff, as well as a smattering of Hasidic Jews, with wives and children. Dinner was very definately airline food. Not worth writing about. I’m seated next to Ed, a wrestler from Texas, and Josh, a gymnest from Longmeadow Mass. Ed was born in Israel and has been back a few times. It’s Josh’s and my first trip.
The flight attendants have just shut all the window shades. Looks like it’s time to start resetting the biological clock. Next stop, Tel Aviv.
ps-looks like all the praying paid off-nice trip and a safe landing at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv
Ben Gurion
#1 by carminef on July 3rd, 2009
Macc,
Great Pix of Hassid’s praying. Look for Tina Hughs a swimmer from Manchester. If you meet up with her, tell her Gina and Laura wish her the best. They were good friends at MHS. She was on your flight. Wonderful girl, brilliant student at Columbia in NCY.
Keep it going!!!!