Chag Sameach and Shana Tova!
There's a first time for everything and this phrase's connotation tends to include excitement, unfamiliarity and adventure. Sometimes its can be something wonderful, other times it can be daunting and uncomfortable.
It was the first time I celebrate the chag without my family. So instead of attending the customary warm, family oriented dinner with mouth-watering home cooked food, familiar laughter and holiday bonding with my loved ones, I celebrated our New Year in Itaewon with new faces from far and wide at Seoul's very own Chabbad. And it was indeed a first for me.
But lets back it up a little...
As I exited the metro and made my up to the Americanized area of Seoul, I was excited and surprised to find a little piece of home right in front of me...
Since I intentionally arrived early, I wondered around the streets of Itaewon and found various attractive stores, including Hummus restaurants and oats (which is really hard to find in Seoul). Note to self - if you ever feel homesick, this is where to go!!
Eventually, I made my way through the twisted inner roads of the city towards Chabbad.
American, British, French and Israeli Jews collected at the cozy Chabbad house and made their way to the mini Shul to participate in spiritual prayer. . .
And as Jews, time was not in alignment with our hunger levels but soon enough we gathered in the tranquil garden and began to feast away!
Conversation topics were interesting, I met new people with very different life experiences and reasons for being in Korea. Naturally I bonded with the fellow Israelis, which was very comforting and felt like home in a way. We laughed a lot, ate even more and had a wonderful evening!
Although I missed spending this holiday with my family, I had a unique and insightful experience. The most valuable thing I took home with me that night was the strength of brotherhood and how unity among complete strangers exists simply because of a small commonality; my heritage and my culture is a beautiful one. I have now experienced the distances (literally) it goes and how open, caring and special my traditions can be, anywhere and everywhere in the world.
Lets raise our cups full of sweet, red wine and toast!
To a new year filled with health and joy, success, luck and interesting interactions! To new experiences with new people that will create unique bonds and unforgettable memories. To self-enlgihtment, development and growth...and most of all to love, respect and companionship, because without these elements, moments like tonight would fail to exits.
