argh

[cellio]

The family I was supposed to stay with in Cincinnati for the Shabbat immediately before the sh'liach k'hilah program just had to back out (for perfectly sane reasons which are not their fault).

I don't have a phone number for the HUC folks here at work, so I sent email to the two program organizers who seem relevant, pursuing a two-pronged approach: (1) do you know of anyone else who might be able to host me? and (2) what are the implications of checking into the dorm on Friday? (The latter boils down to: will there be anyone else around and will I be able to attend services? They've already said that there is a kitchenette in the dorm, so cold meals would not seem to be a problem.)

I could drive there between the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the program on Sunday, but I'd rather not. That's the back-up plan.

Update: Apparently they already knew about the problem
(my would-be host talked to them too) and are working on it.

Comments

[sanpaku.livejournal.com]

Is it during the summer, ie, soon? I stayed at HUC when classes weren't in session and it was a ghost town. Some manager guy let me in. There are no services or any other Jewish life around on Shabbat (I was there in the winter and had to go to University of Cincinatti's Hillel to find services) and it is located in a non-Jewish part of town. There is kitchen stuff there and I seem to recall not having trouble getting food at a grocery store. But there really isn't a lot going on there. It is very boring! Bring Dani with you if possible.

There must be other folks in the same situation. But, OTOH, there are probably not a lot of shomer shabbat Reform Jews to begin with, so you might have a tough time.

[cellio]

It's soon, yes. (Shabbat Pinchas is the one under discussion.)

Checking into the dorms requires advance notice, so they should be able to tell me if other students are checking in early. I'm assuming Hillel isn't active during the summer, but could be pleasantly surprised. I'm sorry to hear it's not in a Jewish part of town.

Food: the info they sent mentioned that a grocery store and several restaurants are within walking distance. And, of course, I can bring food from home. Once the program starts all meals are provided, so the kitchen facilities they offer are an extra, not essential (except that they'd be handy for that first Shabbat).

There aren't a lot of Reform Jews who are shomer Shabbat, but the proportion in a para-rabbinic program may be higher than in the general population, so I might get lucky.

What sent you to HUC, by the way?

[sanpaku.livejournal.com]

Research at the American Jewish Archives for my dissertation. I got a grant to live there for a month, which I broke into two 2-week stays. Day after day of looking at microfilm with no copying function... very last day I discovered that the U of Cinti library across the street had excellent microfilm readers and the copies were free...

The library, as you'd expect, was a cornucopia of Jewish research and reading materials. I couldn't help but play hooky there a lot of the time.

Anyway, such was my former life.

[murmur311.livejournal.com]

Well, a few questions. I know you personally don't drive on Shabbat. Do you ride with other people? If you are willing to ride (and I totally understand if you aren't) I would be able to take you to services at my temple. You also have a few options if you don't begin observing Shabbat until sundown- there are a couple temples that have their services early enough that in the summer they are done well before sundown (mine is not one of them; we start at 7:30, end services around 8:30 and then Oneg lasts past sundown).

As far as food goes, Clifton offers a number of vegetarian places if you eat vegetarian/dairy out of your home.

I know that there are no services at HUC during the summer, but there very well might be something going on at University of Cincinnati's Hillel because they have summer session (you should try and contact them). You would be within walking distance of the UC Hillel, so they might be a viable option if they are doing anything.

What are the dates that you'll be coming in?

[cellio]

Thanks for the offer! It looks like they are already working on this, so if they come up with someone I will take that so as not to have put them through unnecessary work. But if it looks like this is going to be difficult for them and the timing works for you, I'd be delighted to spend a Shabbat with you. I'll send you email with details.

I currently do ride in cars that were going there anyway. This is a concession to my husband. I don't want people to go out of their way for me, and when walking is practical I do that even if a ride is offered. (For example, many people have offered me rides home from services; even if it's on their way, absent a truly horrendous storm I decline.)