Rebbetzin Rachel and her friend Lisa, who hosted us for Shabbos

We spent Shabbat in Richmond, Virginia. This was my second time there. My first time in Richmond was around a year ago for Shabbat Selichot, the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana. I led the service than and over this past Shabbat.

I feel the community is very warm and welcoming.  There seems to be a good mix of all types of Jews, from the ultra orthodox black hat wearers to some who come to Synagogue in a pair of shorts and sandals.

There is no Rabbi there now, though I hear that a new Rabbi is coming in the next few weeks.

Especially enjoyable was lunch at a friend’s home where most of the vegetables in the salads came from their garden. The difference in taste between home-grown organic to what is bought in the local supermarket is a world apart.

I spoke during Seudah Shlishi because it was sponsored in our honor by our host family. I spoke about the Jewish people traveling and how they moved and camped according to the direction that G-d showed them . I reflected this back to my travels: how I try and travel with G-d’s direction.