Rabbi Ben with scouts in Indonesia

We were not sure if we were going to spend Shabbat in Maryland or in New Jersey. We were already in the DC area and decided a few more days of catching up with friends would be good.

The last time I was in Silver Spring was for the ‘97 National Boy Scout Jamboree. We were the Shomer Shabbat and kosher contingent. We made up two troops comprised of 35 scouts and 5 adults to each troop. As part of the Jamboree experience we spent Shabbat in Silver Spring. It amazed me how the community was able to organize Shabbat hospitality for the 80 of us.

This past Shabbat, using Shabbat.com, a great site that matches hosts and people looking to be hosted, we stayed at a wonderful family in the Kemp Mill area. It was great to be able to see some old scouting friends – some I hadn’t seen in over 10 years! I was Chazzan at the Kemp Mill Synagogue where I davened mussaf. As usual, all the old ladies came over to tell me how beautiful it was and I was happy to make them happy.

Tomorrow please G-d I’ll write about how we got to New Jersey using ride share.