Shanghai, Day 5

Shabbat is a day of rest, and after running at such a frenetic pace, whether it be from work, school or just a long trip, it is truly a blessing. For this author, it reminded me of simpler Sundays back in the States when stores stayed closed, or at least didn’t open until noon. My parents and extended family would gather at my grandmother’s house. Men would take to the living room to watch the football game. The aunts would retreat to the kitchen to gab over coffee, and the kids were sent outside. No matter who was where, though, people were connecting, whether by playing, talking, eating, gossiping or reminiscing.

Today was much of the same. We had a late start to the day, enough for everyone to catch up on the rest they may have missed throughout the week. We got ourselves dressed and walked together to synagogue. The Toldot was about Jacob and Esau, and during the last hour of the service, the students prepared a dramatization of the biblical story. Adam and Carol starred as Isaac and Rachel, while Ian and Guy acted out the rivalry between the siblings.

After a hardy round of applause by the congregation, it was lunchtime. One thing that no one has been in fear of this week is starving. Chabad has given us beautiful multi-course meals, and this one was no different. It was a leisurely affair, with traditional foods and lots of singing between courses. Daniel and Etai, former students of Carmel who moved to Shanghai last June, joined our group for the day. Around the other tables were people from all over the globe: a Hasidic group from Brooklyn was in town, as was a businessman from San Francisco and another one from Transylvania. Everyone was there for the same reason, however: to have a respite from the stresses of life with the traditions they hold dear and want to share with one another – no matter how far they travel.

I’m happy to report that our students behaved absolutely fabulously on both Friday night and today. They did our school proud singing prayers and leading songs. In fact, several people stopped both Mrs. Epstein and myself to complement us on their manners, their knowledge of the prayers and their overall positive spirit. “It actually brought tears to my eyes when they were singing the songs,” a woman from Chile told us after dinner.

At the end of lunch today, the games begun. Dini, the Rabbi’s wife at Chabad led a game that challenged students to solve moral dilemmas, while Rachel and Simcha, the pre-school teachers at Chabad, taught us a game that was a scream … literally (ask the students about it). Black Magic, Stinky Chairs, Thumper and Mafia were other favorites that made the last hours of Shabbat fly by without anyone missing the electronic entertainment devices of our 21st century.

It was actually with some groans of disappointment that we had to stop our last activity to call an official end to Shabbat so we could get ready for dinner and our last event of the day – shopping! We went to the Hong Qiao Pearl Market, not far from the hotel, to spend our last Yuan. Students took tips they learned at the night market to pick up some last minute souvenirs and reminders of our trip.

It seems impossible that tomorrow is the last day. The next report will be a live one, coming from your children tomorrow. It was a pleasure to be in their company and enjoy this special trip with them. See you at the arrival gate!