rebecca_in_blue | If you learn only one word in a foreign language, learn 'thank you.'

Even though we had a large turnout and an oneg afterwards, there was a pretty sad feeling at services tonight. We had a farewell oneg for a family in our congregation that's moving to Texas. Our temple is so small that our congregation really feels like a family, and it can be hard when folks leave.

I am going to miss this family a lot. I celebrated Purim and Passover with them for two years in a row. Rachel so friendly and welcoming to me when I was new there. She was also the driving force behind the temple Sunday School. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it wouldn't have existed without all her hard work -- and her kids were half the school! I don't even want to think about how we're going to carry on without her. She got me involved in so many new things: she was the one who invited me to the conga-drum line and pushed me to get over my shyness, stand up, and recite all of the Who Knows One game during the Passover seder (which I did!). She gave us all home-grown cucumbers from her garden at the oneg -- I took two -- and I hope that with them, we'll get a little bit of her spirit and drive.

Another mom in our congregation will probably be moving away soon, too. Our temple is shrinking! I'm surprised none of my Jewish grandmothers have told me to marry their grandson and have four kids to replace the ones who'll be moving.

L'chi lach to a land that I will show you
L'chi lach to a place you do not know
L'chi lach, on your journey I will bless you
And you will be a blessing, l'chi lach