Kandahar Jewish Community Part III

No big deal, just reading up on my Cleveland Jewish News here in Kandahar:

nbd.

We had a Rabbi here at KAF for the period between Sukkot and the Shabbat after Shmini Atzeret. It definitely enhanced our small congregation's experiences for a little while. While he was here, he had a chaplain's assistant who took lots and lots of pictures - so it's thanks to him that I'm able to bring you this:

Sukkah in Kandahar - believe it or not.

The only things that we lacked, were the stringed up Sukkot greeting cards with which to decorate. Regardless, we had ourselves a pretty lively holiday.

Welcome to our booth.

mmm, cholent and salad.

The next day we made Kiddush in the Sukkah in the afternoon.

Lulav, Etrog, and all.

And then a little dvar.

At the end of the chag, we once again did our regular Friday night service.

Followed by our regular Friday night dinner.

Having a Rabbi here for the holidays was great. It was nice having his experience and knowledge from which to draw for our discussions during and after our services. His presence also helped us to appreciate our little group all the more. He also helped us celebrate Simchat Torah the following week after going to a couple more FOBs in between the two chagim.

First we lit candles.

Before long, it was time to march with the Torahs. Like most of our Jewish experience here, we have to work with what we have, and what we have here are paper/toy torahs. It didn't matter though, as you can see it was pretty fun:

Giddy for Torah.

Marching around the room 7 times.

Everyone carrying a Torah wore a Tallis - we had exactly the same number of Talesim as we did Torahs though, so it worked out.

Warren gets a Tallis.

 

Beginning of another Hakafah.

This Hakafah, I led.

Rounding the dinner table.

Those same flags were waving in Synagogues all across the world that night.

Last one.

I was really happy that we got to march with the Torahs like we did. It may not have been ideal, but it made me feel homey - and that's one of the best parts of the Jewish service here.

Our last Friday night with the Rabbi was very nice. We had a couple of newcomers, but about six or seven of our regulars have left KAF in the last couple of months. The rabbi gave us a bunch of advice on the subject of increasing our numbers by getting in touch with all of the chaplains on KAF.

More formal set-up service than we're used to, but it was a nice change.

Rabbi Weiss's assistant encounters the reflector belt flash-photo problem.

I could repeat myself over and over - last time: It's really helpful to have this group of support as well as a break from the regular routine of life here. It really helps break up the weeks for me and others. Food that isn't the DFAC food is good - no matter what (well, that's probably not true, but our cholent and salad does the trick for me).

It's therapeutic to sit down with these people week-to-week.