Monday, August 10
After leaving the West Coast on Thursday we called the Deitsch family, Chabad shluchim in Chandler Arizona to see about staying for Shabbat. They promptly replied yes, they would love to have us. Joining us would be Nosson Deitsch and Eli Chitrik friends of the Roadsages. Friday night a large meal took place by the Deitsch residence in which we regaled the crowd with stories of our journey and l’chaims were offered along with well wishes by all attendees. The next day in Synagogue there was a double simcha! We had an aufruf, the traditional call-up to the Torah for a groom on the Shabbat preceding the wedding. As well we had a Bar Mitzva. The boy-now a man read from the Torah beautifully. During the Kiddush following services he recited the traditional discourse said by a Chabad Bar Mitzva off by heart. No easy feat.
A barbecue was put together after Shabbat which was enjoyed and appreciated by all. Sunday morning started the long
drive to San Antonio for the Maccabi Games with a stop in Scottsdale along the way. There we visited with ‘Ken’ a Jewish pastor who graciously hosted us in his house for discussions on Theology, Philosophy, Jewish Mysticism and the like.
We wanted to give a big thank you to Rabbi and Mrs. Deitsch for their warm hospitality over Shabbat.