The Forgotten Day of Atonement

So in all my posts of my wonderful travels, I forgot to mention last weekend, and the Jewish holiday. Now, as those of you who know me well may be thinking, "Why the hell is Sam posting about the Jewish holiday...she's not religious". Well, you'd correct. However, the Jewish experience in Prague was one worth reporting on.

My upstairs neighbor Rachel and I decided to check out services on Saturday morning. After lengthy research online, we got a general idea of where to go for some services. We made our way to the Jewish quarter and found cops EVERYWHERE. We found a sign with some English writing on it, so wandered over, and discovered our hopeful synagogue was not listed, and no conservative or reform services were listed. Finally, this nice (and rather cute) Czech guy asked us what we were looking for. He informed us that we were standing in front of a conservative temple, and could go there for services if we wanted.

At this, the security guard at the door began the interrogation. What interrogation you ask? Oh, it went something like this:

-Are you Jewish? (yes, yes we are...that's why we're here?)

-Where are you from? (New Jersey...)

-Do you belong to a Jewish community there? (Well, if by that you mean a synagogue, yeah sure...can we go in yet?)

-What's your rabbis name? (Rabbi Cooper, although if I said Rabbi Cohen, you'd have to believe me, wouldn't you?)

-How many people are in a minion? (10. 10 men. Are you kidding? LET ME IN!)

-What was the most recent high holiday? (Rosh Hashanah. There's a sign behind your head that SAYS THAT IN ENGLISH)

-Are you carrying weapons? (No. Seriously? I want to pray!)

-Okay, you may go in.


Wait...really? You're just gonna ASK if I have weapons? Okay, if you're letting me in, that's fine.

After about an hour and a half of service, Rachel and I decided we'd had enough and went home. I seriously considered going shopping again, but after yesterday when we went to Zara, where I actually almost orgasmed over the amazingness of this dress, I figured my credit card could use a break.

PS, of course I bought it. Nothing like a new dress to celebrate a cleansed and forgiven spirit, right?

Later, we broke the fast (which I basically participated in due to my nap that lasted all day) with delicious Indian food, before going out and getting nice and drunk at various bars with the 8 people still in Prague for the weekend.

I'll update soon, I'm trying not to slack on this as much!