I am returning home from a pilgrimage to one of my spiritual homelands, Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Visiting Crown Heights is a chance for me to plug-in and recharge my Judaism and spirituality. Living in gulous or the diaspora makes Judaism and being observant a challenge. Lack of kosher options, living around people who don't follow the same rules and who don't see the reason for them, constantly explaining why and what... It starts to take a toll. And while I love to teach others about my traditions and why I do what I do, sometimes I need to recharge.Without having the resources (or time) to jet over to Eretz Yisrael any time I want, my weak substitute (ok, not weak but different) is Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The world headquarters of the Chabad Lubavitch movement of Judaism. For those not familiar, Chabad is an ultra-orthodox sect of Judaism (not using ultra-orthodox as a pejorative, just a descriptor). While all groups have their fanatical and conservative and wacky members, Chabad is no exception. But as a rule, the Chabad people I know are amazing. They are warm and open and welcoming. Chabad was the catalyst for my journey into exploring observance, as it was for many of my friends.I arrived in NYC on Thursday night and almost immediately received an emergency call from the kallah (bride, I was in town for a wedding) needing help. She needed four green ties for the gentlemen in her wedding on Sunday and had no time to get it. I had no problem stopping at Macy's on my way from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Friday morning I got up, packed my bag, bought four green ties and hopped on the 3 to Crown Heights.It's almost an hour train ride from the city... I listened to podcasts from NPR and crocheted my way through almost a full scarf. I arrived at the Kingston St station and made my way up the stairs, lugging my suitcase... Annoyed and a bit warm, I emerged from the station... Into a new world.Men in black suits and hats rush down the sidewalk. Women in beautiful wigs, dressed modestly, pushing strollers and toting kids. Every one greeting each other on the street. The giant dreidel on the corner by the children's museum. AhhhhMy first visit to Crown Heights I was lost! I felt at home but as if I forgot my address. Going on my, oh I don't know, 50th visit or so I had it down. I walked down the street and ran into gobs of friends. I found the kallah and delivered the ties. She delivered multiple hugs to me and we quickly parted ways. Shabbat (the sabbath) was coming and we both had to get ready. I saw many more friends. There is this particular sound that happens when Orthodox girls see each other for the first time in a while. It's usually called a "Seminary Squeal." It is characterized as a loud, high-pitched squeal followed quickly by a huge, bouncing hug. Let's just say this scene was repeated over and over that day.But there was an important errand to run. Gummy bears. You read me right. Gummy bears, of the kosher variety. They happen to be my favorite snack, however in Denver they cost $5 a bag!! Yes, those chewy little bears you can buy for $.99, cost me $5! But in Crown Heights I can get them for only $2.50!! What a steal, I know. With eight bags of gummy bears in my bag, yes EIGHT bags, I headed to my NY sisters' apartment.In this tiny basement apartment, I found my home. I spent the next three days with my friends and adopted family celebrating Shabbat and the marriage of a dear friend. I shut off my phone and all electronics. As soon as we lit candles and shabbat began, we took a nap. Amazing how we rush and rush until shabbat and the minute it comes in, a calm settles over us. We walked to dinner with friends/family for Shabbat. We laughed and played and talked. People left, people went to bed, we relaxed. In Denver, this is hard for me. I can't walk to people so I have to decide if I break Shabbat to drive, stay home alone, or sleep at someone's house every sabbath. We went home and slept, we woke up and relaxed, we read, we visited friends, we went to our respective lunches. I recharged my batteries. I recharged my Judaism. I reignited my passion for my observance.Spending Sunday running around with friends, getting ready for my friend's wedding. That night I danced with such joy at my friend's joy. Maybe then my chassidishe soul was recharged.It is traditional to give each other blessings at a wedding, especially for the bride to give her guests blessings. The themes of the blessings I was given on Sunday was 1. Revealed good 2. Clarity and 3. That I should find my beshert (soulmate).Just being there with friends and deep within a Jewish community gave me one and two. I saw such good in friends and the people around me this weekend and the clarity... oh the clarity.Sometimes we have to return to a place that may have been foreign at one point but now holds friends and memories to find a center, a balance, to remember what's important.Oh and stock up on gummy bears.
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