Shavuah Tov to All

Living in Manhattan is markedly different from being just a visitor or tourist.  For instance, I have yet to
spend any significant time in midtown or the theatre district, though I do intend on treating myself to
a few plays and operas when able.

In the chaos that is characteristic of this place, I have found a warm and increasingly familiar niche
that I now call home: the Upper West Side and the Jewish Theological Seminary.  The JTS campus
neighbours that of Columbia University, providing a noticeably academic feel to the neighbourhood.  If
you can picture it, JTS is structured as a 'quadrangle' - a 4-sided structure with a large courtyard in
the middle.  It houses an undergraduate school and 4 graduate schools, including mine, the Rabbinical
School. 

Last night, I was asked to lead the Shabbat Maariv service.  To be davening in a sanctuary filled with
rabbinical students, cantorial students, graduate students from other departments, as well as others
present for services was quite rewarding.  The founders and great minds of our movement all davened
in this space as well: from Solomon Schechter and Abraham Joshua Heschel to Elliott Dorff, Joel Roth,
and everyone in between. 

This academic journey will be no walk in the park.  It will require commitment of mind, body, and soul.    
My days are intense, but the reward is worth the hard work.  I look forward to sharing more with you
in person upon my trips back to Halifax.

Feel free to email me with your updates (cantor_ari@ns.sympatico.ca) .  Have a great month of Elul and
see you upon my return.  In fact, mark my first Shabbat back in your calendars:
Friday, September 26th - Kabbalat Shabbat / Maariv @ 5:30pm
Saturday, September 27th - Shacharit @ 9:15am

Regards,
Ari