Off to smicha students' week!
July 08, 2007
Well, I'm off to the Madonna Retreat and Conference Center atop the West Mesa in Albuquerque, New Mexico for six days with the ALEPH student community. Yes -- smicha students' week this year is at a retreat center run by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe! (Apparently kashering their kitchen was the final project for the mashgiach course last week at Kallah...)
My first plane (of three) departs at 6am. (Ouch.) That requires leaving my house at 4am -- not my idea of a good time. This soon after the summer solstice, the days here are still absurdly long; I'm pretty sure it's light by 4:30, which will at least help. (It also helps that Ethan -- who is awesome -- is driving me to the airport.) But needless to say, this post was queued up in advance, and should post itself automatically while I'm on the road. If I make it to the airport in time, I can daven shacharit in the pretty little interfaith chapel. (Won't be the first time. I like it there.)
Meanwhile, I'll take my leave with this version of tefilat ha-derech, the wayfarer's prayer.
May it be Your will, our God and God of our ancestors
that You lead us in peace and help us reach our destination alive,
joyfully and peacefully.
May You protect us on our leaving and on our return,
and rescue us from any harm,
and may You bless the work of our hands
and may our deeds merit honor for You.
Praise to You, Adonai, who hears prayer.
Kein yehi ratzon! I don't know whether I'll be online much or at all while I'm away, so I hope no one will be offended if I'm out of touch for a while. Shavua tov, everyone; have a great week, and I'll see you on the flipside.