alexist

Thursday, British Museum, Bad Santa, and Nando's. Very funny film.

Friday, doctor, Wagamama, A Way of Life. Not a funny film. Think Ken Loach in less overtly political mode.

Got there at 9:45; didn't matter as I go to a synagogue where the members don't appear to think they're late if they arrive before the Torah reading.

Not a bad service; today was the bat-mitzvah of twin girls. Coincidentally, the parsha of the week was Jacob and Esau. The girls had fun doing their dvar Torah :-)

The cantor is a little too interested in showing off his skills, rather than doing the prayers in an easy to follow fashion.

During the announcements, the rabbi lectured the congregation on the importance of services during the week. It seems they haven't managed to get a minyan for Shacharit (morning service) a couple of times this week. This is pathetic, since a minyan (quorum) is 10 adult men, and it's not a small congregation. Plus, there's a minyan rota, so this means people are shirking! Is it wrong of me to feel a little bit relieved because I'm a woman and hence don't have to feel guilty about not going since I wouldn't count anyway? (Women aren't obligated to pray at set times, so can't be counted.)

Because of the bat (bnot?) mitzvah, there was a full kiddush rather than just cake. I made the mistake of eating herring, and am still thirsty.